Tougher penalties for human traffickers in Italy

Meloni convened his cabinet in the southern seaside resort of Steccato di Cutro, where the ship disaster occurred on February 26.

At this meeting, the right-wing coalition government led by Meloni adopted a new decree that includes rules that increase penalties for irregular migration, especially for people traffickers, speed up the repatriation process for those who have entered the country illegally and whose asylum Claims are not accepted, and also facilitate the entry of immigrants into the country through legal channels.

Prime Minister Meloni, holding a press conference after the cabinet meeting, said the cabinet meeting here after last month’s disaster had “symbolic” value and the cabinet meeting was held for the first time in a tragedy. of this type. .

Noting that the decree they approved in the council of ministers increased the penalties for human traffickers, Meloni said: “This decree introduces a new type of crime punishable by up to 30 years in prison for those who cause death or serious injury through human trafficking. “

Expressing that the new measures they have taken show that they are determined to end human trafficking, Meloni said: “Our reaction to what has happened is tougher. We will do whatever it takes to take down these criminals. I want to fight these people. “We want to establish the principle that we will not accept human trafficking in the third millennium,” he said.

The Italian Prime Minister also reiterated his calls for this problem to be addressed at the European Union (EU) level and for concrete measures to be taken.

Meloni claimed that she wrote to the EU administration asking for urgent concrete action and that she received a reply from the president of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, pointing to a change of gear.

Meloni and the right-wing coalition government he led were heavily criticized for failing to carry out a rescue operation by Italian security forces before the migrant-carrying ship sank on February 26 and for not paying enough attention to the area after the disaster.

Following the incident, the opposition said: “Desperation never justifies a person making this journey that endangers the lives of their children. I would not have embarked on such a journey” and demanded the resignation of Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, while Minister Piantedosi claimed that his words had been misinterpreted. (AA)