Egypt's parliament approves anti-illegal migration law

The Egyptian parliament approved Monday an anti-illegal migration law presented by the government in a bid to limit illegal infiltration into and from the country as well as human trafficking, official MENA news agency reported.

The 34-article law recommends "jail punishment for whoever establishes, organizes or manages an organized criminal group for the purpose of smuggling migrants, or whoever holds a leading post in such a group."

The approval came about three weeks after 200 people, mostly Egyptians, drowned in the Mediterranean Sea during illegal migration attempt to Italy as their vessel capsized off Egypt's northern coast of Rosetta.

The new anti-illegal migration law imposes a fine up to 200,000 Egyptian pounds (about 22,500 U.S. dollars) on whoever is convicted of committing, attempting or brokering "a migrant smuggling crime."

It also urges the state to take necessary measures to protect the rights of the migrants including their right to life, humanitarian treatment, medical care and physical, moral and psychological safety as well as the preservation of their privacy.

Illegal migration via Egyptian Mediterranean Sea shores rose over the past few years in attempts to reach Europe and flee difficult economic conditions in the financially-struggling Arab country, where unemployment rate hit 12.5 percent according to official reports.

Following the boat tragedy, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi ordered intensive marketing for the government's recent initiative to finance small and tiny enterprises for the youth, for which 200 billion Egyptian pounds (about 22.5 billion U.S. dollars) are allocated, to provide job opportunities for young people and give them hope in their country. Endit