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Matteo Salvini: Italian deputy PM takes stand in migrant kidnap trial

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Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini defended his hard-line approach to illegal migration during a recent court appearance in Sicily. The charges against him include kidnapping and dereliction of duty for preventing migrants from disembarking an NGO ship in 2019, when he served as the interior minister in a previous government. Salvini, the leader of the right-wing League party, denied the charges, stating that he acted in the interest of national security.

In August 2019, a migrant rescue vessel from the Spanish NGO Open Arms arrived near Italian shores carrying 147 rescued migrants. Salvini immediately signed a decree banning the vessel from entering Italian territorial waters, leading to a nearly three-week standoff at sea. The prolonged situation caused a public outcry, with reports of deteriorating conditions onboard, including a scabies outbreak and a decline in the migrants’ physical and mental well-being.

Salvini asserted during his court appearance that he believed the situation onboard the ship was not at risk and that he acted in full consciousness. He expressed pride in taking responsibility for his actions, emphasizing his role in fighting human trafficking and saving lives. Salvini also claimed that no migrant died at sea while he was the minister of the interior, a statement contradicted by UNHCR data showing 926 deaths in the central Mediterranean between June 2018 and September 2019.

Despite Salvini’s claim of a 90% reduction in migrant arrivals under the “closed ports” policy, it is important to note that migration flows are influenced by various factors, including the political situation in the migrants’ origin countries. Salvini sought to demonstrate the government’s backing for his hard-line approach, stating that the entire Italian government, including Prime Minister Conte at the time, supported his immigration policies.

The trial, which began in October 2021, could result in Salvini facing up to 15 years in prison if convicted. Oscar Camps, the founder of Open Arms NGO, expressed hope that the trial would bring about justice and that Salvini would face consequences for his choices, which he deemed personal.

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Controversial French immigration law passes parliament

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The French parliament has recently passed a more stringent immigration law, culminating months of political negotiations. Both President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist Renaissance party and Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (RN) supported the amended bill, creating a significant majority in the lower house. Despite accusations from the left that Macron made concessions to the far-right, the ruling party’s overwhelming majority rendered support from Le Pen unnecessary. Macron had underscored his reluctance to owe victory to the RN, expressing a preference for a new reading of the bill instead of relying on their backing.

Some key provisions in the new legislation include making it more challenging for migrants to bring family members to France and delaying their access to welfare benefits. These measures aim to address concerns related to immigration and welfare systems. An earlier draft of the bill failed when MPs from the far-left and far-right opposed it for different reasons, showcasing the contentious nature of immigration policy in France.

Human rights groups have strongly criticized the amended law, denouncing it as the most regressive immigration legislation in France in decades. Critics argue that the measures undermine fundamental values, raising concerns about the impact on vulnerable migrant populations. Despite the opposition, the bill received support from conservatives who applauded its firmness and courage in addressing immigration challenges.

While Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally welcomed the amended bill, left-wing voices expressed disappointment, accusing Macron of enabling the far-right and signaling a shift in the country’s history and fundamental values. French Communist Party leader Fabien Roussel argued that the legislation, directly inspired by RN’s anti-immigration stance, represented a concerning departure for the republic.

Emmanuel Macron’s centrist Renaissance party lost its majority in parliament in June 2022, leading to challenges in passing legislation. Since then, the government has frequently found itself unable to secure necessary votes in parliament, highlighting the complex political landscape surrounding immigration policy in France.

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