UNHCR chief on immigration and asylum rights in Italy

(12 Apr 2002)

Rome - 11 April 2002
1. Wide of exterior Palazzo Rospigliosi, Rome
2. News conference
3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Ruud Lubbers, UN High Commissioner for Refugees:
"The basic problem, of course, is that it doesn't work to have zero immigration policy, because if all countries in Europe have zero immigration policy it would only benefit the criminal circuit and for the human traffic."
4. Close up of journalist
5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Ruud Lubbers, UN High Commissioner for Refugees:
"If I say how many real refugees there are, I certainly don't see a big number and if I see how many refugees have come in Italy during the last ten years, in total, I have a limited number"
6. Cutaway of journalist
7. SOUNDBITE: (English) Ruud Lubbers, UN High Commissioner for Refugees:
"If a limited number has a chance to work and integrate into European country, it would be a benefit for Europe."

Soverata - 10 April 2001
8. Various of immigrants arrival on the Southern Italian coast near Soverato, Calabria

STORYLINE:

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Ruud Lubbers held a series of meetings in Rome on Thursday to discuss immigration and asylum rights in Italy.

During his visit he met with Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Interior Minister's delegate Alfredo Mantovano to discuss the Italian government's approach to immigration in view of a new immigration draft law being introduced, known as the "Bossi-Fini" law, that would make it harder for those seeking asylum to enter Italy. The Italian government has stated that the sole objective of the draft is to combat abuse of asylum procedures and illegal immigration.

Lubbers, speaking in a news conference, stressed that a zero immigration policy would result in strengthening illegal trafficking, pushing would-be immigrants into the clutches of people smugglers. He also said that immigrants are a resource for Europe. UNHCR believes that the draft bill currently being discussed in Italy's Chamber of Deputies needs some changes to align with legislation with at least some of the minimum standards internationally recognised.

Each year thousands of illegal immigrants land in Italy by boat with the latest mass arrival which place on Wednesday, the eleventh landing this year, when the rusty freighter "Island Glory" with approximately two hundred immigrants on board.

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