Italy wants to strengthen controls on unaccompanied foreign minors. Giorgia Meloni, the president of the Council of Ministers, announced it. And on Wednesday September 27, the government adopted a decree which provides in particular for the expulsion of young foreigners if they have lied about their real age. There are currently 21,000 unaccompanied minors in the country, 85% of whom are boys. Their number increases as the landings of migrants on the peninsula increase.
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With our correspondent in Rome, Anne Tréca
The Italian government chooses to fight what it considers to be abuses of rights. From now on, in Italy young isolated foreigners unable to prove their real age will be subjected to medical and anthropological tests. If these tests do not confirm that they are under 18, they will be deported.
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In the event of massive arrivals of migrants, like the last few weeks, if the reception centers for minors are full, young people aged 16 to 18 can now be placed in centers for adults for a maximum of three months. A long-standing practice for which Italy has nevertheless been condemned by the European Court of Human Rights.
Another new feature: foreigners deemed too dangerous for public order may be expelled, even if they have a residence permit. The only counterpart to this turn of the screw: Italy extends privileged reception status to all women, and no longer just to pregnant women.
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