OAS Chief Slams Impact Of
Arizona law
SANTIAGO, de Chile - The chief of the
Organization of American States (OAS)
Tuesday criticized the new Arizona
immigration law as having a "terrifying
impact" on the American people.
Local newspaper La Tercera quoted OAS
Secretary-General Jose Miguel Insulza as
saying the law "has placed this complex
issue in the center of the political debate,
which has political implications for the
United States and the other countries in the
Americas."
The OAS chief said the result of this debate
would not only define how other countries
interpret the moral strengths of the United
States, but would also "mark a precedent
about what treatment Washington considers
and accepts to the less fortunate."
"It is important to keep the focus on two
principles -- human rights and the state of
law," Insulza added.
Arizona State Governor Jan Brewer signed the
toughest U.S. immigration bill into law in
late April, sparking protests and debates
regarding the nationwide immigration
reforms.
Supporters and critics both regard the
Arizona law as implementing the strictest
immigration measures in generations: It
would make the failure to carry immigration
documents a crime and give the police power
to detain anyone suspected of being in the
United States illegally.
The OAS chief said that the United States is
a nation founded and built by immigrants,
with most immigrants in that country coming
from Latin America and the Caribbean
islands.
"Millions of people risk their lives to
enter that country facing adverse conditions
by sea and land," Insulza said.
Estimates have put the number of
undocumented immigrants into the United
States at some 11 million.
Insulza said that though the causes for
global migration are varied, the main cause
in the Americas was the poor socio-economic
conditions.
He added that the OAS has reaffirmed on many
occasions that human rights and applicable
labor laws should be guaranteed for all
immigrants, regardless of the immigrants'
migratory status.
"Unfortunately, the spirit of this Arizona
law is having a terrifying impact on the
American people. As U.S. President Barack
Obama has said, this law will remove basic
notions of equity that we have as
Americans," Insulza said.
The OAS chief said that each nation has the
right to regulate immigration within its
borders, but "it is indispensable that any
immigration reform on the continent assures
the protection of human rights."
The United States "has a rich tradition of
protecting the state of law and promoting
tolerance, hope and opportunities --
fundamental pillars of a free and democratic
society, and their solid law and legislative
system are almost a model for the world,"
Insulza said.
But the Arizona law, according to the OAS
secretary-general, has raised an issue which
puts U.S. human rights principles and values
into question.
"Without doubt it (the Arizona law) will
define its moral position among the world
public opinions," he said. |
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