Question – Dearest editorial staff,
it seems that Pakistani earthquake victims are to be issued special permits. I belive this is not true, but hope never dies… at least among my Pakistani friends that are irregulars. Can you confirm this piece of news?
Thanks
Question – As far as we know the government and Home Office have not issued such a provision yet. There might be the chance, though.
Past December tsunami victims were allowed special permits. Home Office enacted a memorandum that told police headquarters not to expell all irregular citizens that came from Sry Lanka.
Law actually provides for specific instructions in such cases.
Immigration Act art. 20 (unchanged by Bossi-Fini law) holds the title: Exstraordinary measures applied in case of exceptional events. Art. 20 establishes temporary protection and this can be applied in spite of expulsion orders. Protection is to happen in case of wars, natural disasters or other serious events and it is thought to be applied to non-EU citizens.
In other worlds, art. 20 expressively provides for that the government can enact timely provisions that may allow the stay of irregular migrants.
Therefore in Italy there is a jurical root of such a provision towards Pakistani citizens. Back in December the government did not enact directives as established by art. 20 where Home Office released a memorandum, which recommended police to tolerate Sry Lankans irregular stay and to avoid expulsions.
This memorandum represented a partial application of the humanitarian chances politicians have. As everyone clearly understands there’s a great difference between tolerating irregulars and issuing temporary protection permits, as low establishes.
We do not know whether the government will issue a memorandum, similar to past December one, to Pakistani citizens. I do believe that migrants should push the government towards this. We do hope that the government chooses to protect Pakistani citizens.