Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez told the Mercosur meeting in Argentina that Europe had “legalised barbarism.”

South American heads of state have ended a regional summit with a fierce attack on EU immigration policies.

The EU laws, due to come into force in 2010, could see illegal immigrants held for up to 18 months and face a five-year ban on re-entry if expelled.

In a joint declaration, they rejected “every effort to criminalise irregular migration and the adoption of restrictive immigration policies, in particular against the most vulnerable sectors of society, women and children.”

The statement also noted “the necessity to fight against racism, discrimination, xenophobia and other forms of intolerance.” ….[ MORE >> ]

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