ITALY:Italy's prime minister Silvio Berlusconi yesterday backtracked on a controversial Bill that would make illegal immigration a jailable offence after the United Nations and the Vatican criticised the measure.
Mr Berlusconi's new conservative government last month unveiled tough measures aimed at fighting crime and illegal immigration but which critics say risk fuelling xenophobia and racism.
One of the most controversial steps, still to be discussed and approved by parliament, states that illegal entry into Italy is a crime punishable by up to four years in jail.
However, Mr Berlusconi said yesterday that people should not be prosecuted simply for being illegal immigrants, but their status should be considered an aggravating circumstance if they committed a crime.
"Personally, I don't think you can prosecute someone for their illegal presence in our country," Mr Berlusconi said during a joint news conference with French president Nicolas Sarkozy.
The security package also proposes confiscating apartments rented to illegal immigrants, speeding up expulsions and extending the time they can be held in detention centres.
Outgoing UN human rights chief Louise Arbour described the measures as an example of repression and intolerance. The Vatican also came out against them. Archbishop Agostino Marchetti told Vatican radio illegal immigrants should not be treated as criminals because those who worked were making a contribution to society.
Foreign minister Franco Frattini shrugged off the criticism earlier yesterday, saying illegal immigration was already a criminal offence in France, Germany, Sweden and Britain.
Mr Berlusconi was sworn in as prime minister last month after decisively winning an April election on a law and order ticket.
Italy saw a record rise in immigration last year with foreigners now totalling 3.5 million, and many Italians blame immigrants - especially Romanians and Roma people - for crime. - ( Reuters)