Italy introduces decree to tighten asylum legislation

The Italian government has introduced a decree to tighten asylum legislation, Seebrüecke International, a German organization that supports safe passage and an end to criminalisation of civil sea rescue has said.

Seebrüecke International in a statement said a court in Catania has now confirmed that the decree is unconstitutional, violates EU law and will therefore be annulled.

“The complaint was filed by a 20-year-old Tunisian who had arrived on Lampedusa and received a rejection of his asylum application in a fast-track procedure. He was taken to a deportation center.

“Asylum seekers from so-called safe countries of origin are to be detained in the deportation centers for up to 18 months, according to the decree. This detention can only be avoided by paying a bail of 4938 euros.

The judge in Catania now found the decree illegal in several parts. Each person must be granted an individual examination of the asylum application – the demand for bail also contradicts European jurisdiction.

“Similar draft laws are also being prepared in the EU at the moment. Thus, the CEAS tightening would also strongly endanger the individual right to asylum. So that this does not happen, we have to oppose it decisively!

“Join us on the streets this weekend and in the following weeks and let’s demand together: Stop CEAS! For a Europe that builds bridges!”