Threats from terrorism will
not lead to Italy abandoning the rule of law, Italian Justice
Minister Andrea Orlando said Wednesday in his annual address to
parliament.
He said Italy should abolish the criminal offense of
illegal immigration.
"The principal threat that our country, like other EU
countries, must deal with today is that of jihadist terrorism -
a threat that puts public security and the penal system under
pressure," Orlando said.
Terrorism is "a challenge that puts the state of law to the
test but from which the state of law and therefore jurisdiction
must emerge stronger".
Although new categories of criminal offense have been
introduced to help fight terrorism, the government believes
"that this battle can only be won by reinforcing cooperation
between states and with the European Union, because one must
respond to a global threat with tools built at least on a
continental dimension".
Nevertheless Orlando said it is "disappointing" that
Brussels hasn't made significant steps toward setting up an
effective European Prosecutor's office that would be independent
with real investigative powers.
"Unfortunately, at least so far, resistance, diffidence,
inertia and jealousy have prevailed. There is no independence of
the Prosecution with regard to member states, very limited
powers of investigation on a restricted number of crimes..."
That was why the minister on behalf of Italy "said no to
an organ that would only have hindered national judicial
authorities' work. There is a point beyond which the low
intensity of solutions is only a hypocritical cover for national
selfishness," he said.
On migration Orlando said Italy should abolish the criminal
offense of illegal immigration.
"I am convinced that the crime of illegal immigration has to
be abolished as confirmed by the opinions such as those of the
national anti-mafia and anti-terrorist prosecutors and of the
head of the national council of magistrates (CSM)".
It has been decided not to delay on that but "to propose a
complex measure that would concern those repatriated on the one
hand and the time frame for recognition of refugee status on the
other," he added.
"Reform is often hindered by unfounded concerns, or justified
ones that are manipulated, or by distorted perceptions," he
said, and "the offense of illegal immigration is one of these
cases".
Orlando said that under the current government controversy
over Italy's judicial system has become part of a "wider debate
over the destiny of our democracy" rather than the source of
political clashes that was for a long time in the past.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
