TOP African officials have criticised new European Union (EU) rules against illegal immigration, accusing the wealthy bloc of failing to treat migrants with dignity and of breaking pledges to co-operate.

EU ministers backed French proposals on Monday for a European pact to stem illegal immigration and attract highly skilled job-seekers, weeks after the EU decided illegal immigrants could be detained for up to 18 months and face a five-year re-entry ban.

But Africa, from where thousands of would-be immigrants risk their lives each year trying to reach Europe in rickety boats, had so far been largely silent on the new EU measures

The European Commission estimates there are up to 8 million illegal immigrants in the 27-nation European Union. More than 200,000 were arrested in the EU in the first half of 2007 with just under 90,000 expelled.

The 18-month detention limit is longer than the current maximum period in two-thirds of the 27 EU states. Although EU states can keep a lower limit if they want, rights groups say it will encourage authorities to lock up more illegal immigrants.

Under the migration pact, to be finalised in October, EU states pledge to expel more illegal immigrants while promoting legal migration and a common asylum policy by 2010.

These initiatives are the latest steps by EU members to address voter concerns over immigration and they follow efforts to set up joint border patrols and bio-metric police databases.

Meanwhile, 15 African migrants have died of hunger, thirst or exposure as they drifted on a small, overcrowded boat bound for Spain, most of them small children, report said.

The deaths were the second tragedy this week in the saga of destitute Africans risking their lives to reach Europe's southern gateway in search of work.



source:http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/africa/article01//indexn2_html?pdate=110708&ptitle=Africans%20fault%20EU%20curbs%20on%20illegal%20immigration

bilymuse:

TOP African officials have criticised new European Union (EU) rules against illegal immigration, accusing the wealthy bloc of failing to treat migrants with dignity and of breaking pledges to co-operate.

EU ministers backed French proposals on Monday for a European pact to stem illegal immigration and attract highly skilled job-seekers, weeks after the EU decided illegal immigrants could be detained for up to 18 months and face a five-year re-entry ban.

But Africa, from where thousands of would-be immigrants risk their lives each year trying to reach Europe in rickety boats, had so far been largely silent on the new EU measures

The European Commission estimates there are up to 8 million illegal immigrants in the 27-nation European Union. More than 200,000 were arrested in the EU in the first half of 2007 with just under 90,000 expelled.

The 18-month detention limit is longer than the current maximum period in two-thirds of the 27 EU states. Although EU states can keep a lower limit if they want, rights groups say it will encourage authorities to lock up more illegal immigrants.

Under the migration pact, to be finalised in October, EU states pledge to expel more illegal immigrants while promoting legal migration and a common asylum policy by 2010.

These initiatives are the latest steps by EU members to address voter concerns over immigration and they follow efforts to set up joint border patrols and bio-metric police databases.

Meanwhile, 15 African migrants have died of hunger, thirst or exposure as they drifted on a small, overcrowded boat bound for Spain, most of them small children, report said.

The deaths were the second tragedy this week in the saga of destitute Africans risking their lives to reach Europe's southern gateway in search of work.



source:http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/africa/article01//indexn2_html?pdate=110708&ptitle=Africans%20fault%20EU%20curbs%20on%20illegal%20immigration

Great move by the EU. I was under the impression that the EU were going to open the flood gates but I see now that I was wrong.

As for the case of the African immigrants who risk their lives, it is a pity.

Meanwhile, 15 African migrants have died of hunger, thirst or exposure as they drifted on a small, overcrowded boat bound for Spain, most of them small children, report said

these people are dummies or what?

why cant they better prepare for this trip?

have enough water, food etc?

get better wooden boats, have life jacket?

very good news!

I ronically, so many would be immigrants won't mind the 18 months detention. At least there will be:

Free Food
No NEPA
Free GYM

They will attempt to enter after release and be deatined for 18 months again