Austria passes tough new asylum laws

[webfact]

Austria passes tough new asylum laws
By Catherine Hardy | With REUTERS



"These plans are shamelessly against European rules, history, logic and the future"

VIENNA: -- The Austrian parliament has passed controversial legislation paving the way for tougher measures on asylum.

It includes, for example, an accelerated process for assessing potential asylum claims under which migrants could be turned away at the border.

Asylum will only be granted to people who are likely to be persecuted if they are sent back to their country of origin.

Refugees who already have close family living in Austria would also be allowed to remain.

Parliament would have to confirm that public order and security are under threat for the measures to be implemented.

What is happening at the Brenner Pass?

Media reports suggest Austria is planning to build a fence at the border with Italy.

Work on the barrier will form part of Vienna’s preparations for controls to be introduced if a predicted surge in migrant numbers materialises.

Is Italy happy about this?

No.

Rome says border restrictions at the Brenner Pass north-south transport link are not justified, given the small number of migrants arriving there.

Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi says the plans are “shamelessly against European rules, as well as being against history, against logic and against the future.”

Additionally, the Brenner Pass is the busiest route through the Alps.

It is Italy’s main transport link to Germany, its top trading partner. Controls will slow down traffic and could impact on trade.

What are the reported plans?

A 400 metre-long fence at the border
Three checkpoints on the motorway
(Sources: Tiroler Tageszeitung, APA)

Why has Austria suddenly toughened its stance against migrants?

Opinion is divided.

Some say it is in response to a predicted surge of migrants arriving from Italy via the central Mediterranean route.

Others think there is a political aspect to the vote.

The Austrian parliament passed the new legislation just days after a far-right party came top in the first round of the country’s presidential election.

-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2016-04-28

[torpedo1970]

Great, to bad it is a little like closing the gates after the horses have run away....

But better late than never...

Sweden have now got proof that IS have sleeper cells in the country that arrived with the refugees over a year ago.....

And you can bet money on that it is not the only country....

About time someone stands up and make some difference......

[khwaibah]

Build that wall.

[user82374298374]

They aren't 'refugees' - they're economic migrants.

And they're coming from Africa, too. Lots of them.

[jesimps]

At last, a bit of sense.

[sweatalot]

"These plans are shamelessly against European rules, history, logic and the future"

I am confused, seems they are talking about Merkel and similar clowns in European politics

[sweatalot]

may be Austria has to close its borders with Germany soon -

when German masses start to run away from their infested country

[Rancid]

Ooh, a government working to benefit the country rather than following the EU bureaucrats agenda? Somehow seems undemocratic.

[Asheron]

So let me get this straight...

When "the evil white men" illegally went to Africa etc and took their resources it was "colonialism" but when the exact same thing happens to Europe it's "immigration"?

Gotcha!

[wabothai]

the world has come to a very sad state when individual countries think they have to start building fences to keep people out.

[Pimay1]

the world has come to a very sad state when individual countries think they have to start building fences to keep people out.

And how would you keep the masses out?

[Grouse]

the world has come to a very sad state when individual countries think they have to start building fences to keep people out.

And how would you keep the masses out?

By helping them develop their own economies through education and scientific support

[piersbeckett]

the world has come to a very sad state when individual countries think they have to start building fences to keep people out.

It is indeed a sad state of affairs but I'd say realise rather than think & insert 'certain' in front of people.

[i claudius]

So let me get this straight...

When "the evil white men" illegally went to Africa etc and took their resources it was "colonialism" but when the exact same thing happens to Europe it's "immigration"?

Gotcha!

You could day the same about those darned Roman legions,invading Britain ,but then just like them we took civilization to the country's we went to. ,not saying its right but that was then ,have a go at the Chinese they are there doing it now

[Asheron]

the world has come to a very sad state when individual countries think they have to start building fences to keep people out.

And how would you keep the masses out?

By helping them develop their own economies through education and scientific support

In other words: it's the white mans burden to educate and support the world?

[thaibeachlovers]

the world has come to a very sad state when individual countries think they have to start building fences to keep people out.

And how would you keep the masses out?

By helping them develop their own economies through education and scientific support

Those countries are in the poo because they won't control their populations and the "leaders" steal most of the money.

They are quite capable of developing their economies themselves, but that would mean less money for the "bosses", so they simply export the people instead.

Italy is "outraged", because it means they can't simply shuttle the masses to another country, which is also illegal, as genuine refugees have to stay in the first safe country.

Perhaps they will at last stop taking rescued illegal economic migrants to their own ports and start returning them from whence they came.

Europe is not required to take in illegal economic migrants under any international laws, far as I know.

Australia has the right answer- Europe should take note. Sending ALL so called refugees to a safe haven in the Morrocan desert would be a good disincentive. There they would be safe, fed and have medical treatment, but they wouldn't be able to reach the streets paved with gold ( welfare ) in Europe that they crave.

[Trouble]

the world has come to a very sad state when individual countries think they have to start building fences to keep people out.

Kind of like building gated communities to keep the riffraff at bay.

[NeverSure]

the world has come to a very sad state when individual countries think they have to start building fences to keep people out.

And how would you keep the masses out?

By helping them develop their own economies through education and scientific support

Well, you'd have to get them to stop killing each other and YOU before you could do that.

[NeverSure]

the world has come to a very sad state when individual countries think they have to start building fences to keep people out.

I agree. Foreigners should keep the hell out without the need for fences.

Without borders, you don't have a country. Without a country you can't provide for the needs of your people. Europe is getting overwhelmed and is going into the shitter. My hat's off to Austria and I just hope it isn't too late.

[Ulic]

the world has come to a very sad state when individual countries think they have to start building fences to keep people out.

And how would you keep the masses out?

By helping them develop their own economies through education and scientific support

African countries are very well off. The problem is corruption. The elite pilfer with impunity.

As long as the UN (most corrupt organization in the world) continues to dole out high paying

jobs and cash in Africa, while the governments steal with impunity there is no need for change.

Zimbabwe the bread basket of Africa is now just a basket case. Hundreds of millions pour

in, in aid every year. But it is OK, Mugabe's wife makes regular shopping trips to Singapore

where she reportedly spends 5 million each trip shopping. The west should stop sending

aid money to Africa, and the worlds banks should have to name African bank account holders.

[siamcrut]

Was about time.

[johnatong]

the world has come to a very sad state when individual countries think they have to start building fences to keep people out.

And how would you keep the masses out?

By helping them develop their own economies through education and scientific support

Would you care to detail the Billions of $ & £ which have been provided in "AID" for these countries to develop their infrastructure, health and education ?

Now name the Despots who have fat Swiss bank accounts.

No more !

Austria is right in seeking to exercise control over who enters the country.

[Scott]

Off-topic posts and replies removed.