Angry reactions in Italy to anti-immigration vote

There have been angry scenes in Italy after deputies voted in controversial anti-immigration legislation.

The new law would mean a 10.000 euro fine for illegal immigrants and a prison sentence of up to three years for those who shelter them.

As well as human rights groups, the political opposition is against the move:

“You should listen to the voice of the United Nations, you should listen to the authoritative voice of the Church, people can not ignore this. This government seems to be made up of supermen who have no respect for the UN,” said the Democratic party’s Marco Minitti.

Supporters of the bill easily won a confidence vote by 316 ballots to 258. The measure must still be approved by the Senate, where Berlusconi’s supporters are also in the majority:

As part of its crackdown, Italy has also started sending back boatloads of migrants to Libya, without first checking for asylum claims.

The UN, the Vatican and human rights organisations say this is in breach of international law.

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tags: Immigration, Italy, Law