Ecuador's president Rafael Correa labelled Europe's repatriation law as “barbaric” and “shameful” for the continent. Interviewed by a local TV station, Correa expressed his solidarity to immigrants after what he called “the Euro-Parliament's barbaric attempt to criminalize immigration.” Correa said it was a “pity that the once 'enlightened' Europe, whose history we have studied for so many years, is now the symbol of these contraddictions.” According to Correa, people's movements are prevented while globalization is encouraged in trade and financial exchanges, showing the developed countries' “double-faced dynamic and moral , as they demand a lot and take advantage of us.” Ecuador's president called for “a joint response by Latin American countries,” as he announced that “discussions are already underway at a regional level in response to this attack to human rights.” In an appeal to all Latin American parliaments, Correa underlined “the need to adopt proper measures on the basis of international law.” Meanwhile, Uruguay's senate unanimously approved a motion labelling the European directive as “a violation of human rights, affecting the right to free international movement in particular” and a “blatantly incoherent action by the European Union, which nurished Latin America with its people and took advantage of the work skills, honesty and efforts of thousands of immigrants.” The 18-month internment term which is foreseen for irregular immigrants by the European law was labelled by the motion as a “freedom deprivation which is not different from a prison sentence.”
TC[CO]