French lawmakers pass bill to strip nationality from foreign-born criminals

French lawmakers pass bill to strip nationality from foreign-born criminals

2010-10-13 11:57:20 GMT+7 (ICT)

PARIS (BNO NEWS) -- French lawmakers on Tuesday passed a bill to strip the French nationality from foreign-born criminals and to expel European Union citizens that commit certain crimes, local media reported.

According to Le Monde newspaper, the legislation was approved by members of the lower house of the parliament, the National Assembly, by 294 votes in favor to 239 votes against. The approved bill stemmed from President Nicolas Sarkozy's recommendations following the riots of Grenoble and the incidents in Loir-et-Cher.

Last July, a community of travelers attacked a police station and highway toll booths. The attacks by the fifty travelers were a reaction to the death of one of them that occurred during a police persecution. Around 300 officers had to be deployed to the area to ensure security and control.

The bill targets foreigners who had acquired French citizenship and were convicted of terrorism-related attacks or violent crimes against police officers or other public officials.

In addition, the new legislation proposes that European Union citizens could be deported as a result of repeated acts of theft, aggressive begging or for illegally occupying land. Immigration Minister Eric Besson, the bill's architect, said that this is the big first step in building a European immigration policy.

France remains in the midst of international controversy after deporting hundreds of Roma minority members to Romania and Bulgaria. The passed bill also applies to them, but Roma are not specifically mentioned. Opposition leaders said that the approved measure discriminates Roma and other foreigners.

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