Concentration camps for immigrants admission by Silvio Berlusconi

The Telegraph ^ | 5/20/2009 | Nick Squires in Rome

[bruinbirdman]

Silvio Berlusconi said conditions in the holding centres were so poor that they justified the newly adopted policy of turning boatloads of refugees back to North Africa rather than allowing them to land on Italian territory.

"I think it is much easier to examine individual situations in the country of origin, otherwise they come here and go to a camp which, I should not be saying this, is very similar to a concentration camp," said Mr Berlusconi.

Silvio Berlusconi and First Lady

Mr Berlusconi's Right-wing government plans to double the number of holding camps for migrants from 10 to 20 and has renamed them "Identification and Expulsion Centres". His assessment of the detention centres came just days after the Italian parliament passed a bill which triples the length of time immigrants can be held in such facilities from two to six months.

The majority try to reach the tiny island of Lampedusa, Italy's southernmost outpost, which is closer to Africa than to Sicily.

The Italian navy and coast guard began intercepting and turning back boatloads of refugees and asylum seekers trying to cross the Mediterranean from North Africa earlier this month.

So far more than 500 have been returned to Libya, the most popular departure point for refugees from sub-Saharan and Horn of Africa countries seeking a new life in Europe.

The policy has been criticised by the United Nations, human rights groups and the Vatican.

[supremedoctrine]

It’s all our fault.
It’s my fault.
No, wait a minute, can it still be Bush’s fault?

[Global2010]

Wow I am out of the news loop.

I didnt know Octo Mom got married.