Ah, Silvio Berlusconi. We’ve reported on the Italian Prime Minister a couple of times here on VL and none of it has been good news. In sharp contrast to the majority of the leaders of the countries within the European Union, Berlusconi has it out for immigrants and apparently will stop at nothing to advance his fascist ways in Italy, the country with the largest number of immigrants in Europe — some 7 million. In what may be his most disgusting move yet, Berlusconi’s government has crossed the line of common decency to make it obligatory for medical doctors to report undocumented patients. Reports The Telegraph:

The Italian parliament passed a bill on Thursday which will compel medical staff to contact the police if they believe that the patient they are treating does not have a valid visa or work permit.

Opposition MPs condemned the measure as “racist” while doctors groups said it would turn them into informers of the kind last seen in Italy during Mussolini’s fascist regime.

Italy’s only black MP, Jean-Leonard Touadi, who is originally from the Congo, criticised the law as “a return to fascist-era snooping”.

Italy’s Association of Hospital Doctors said its members objected to acting as “spies” while the Italian branch of Medecins Sans Frontieres said sick or injured illegal immigrants would shun hospitals and clinics rather than risk deportation.

Indeed, Italian physicians are not happy, and are protesting the move, citing that forcing them to report undocumented immigrants to authorities will turn them into “spies”.

Meanwhile, violent attacks on immigrants have been part of the daily news lately, with an Indian man doused with gasoline and set on fire in Nettuno, and the Hindu and Jewish communities are urging Berlusconi to send a message against xenophobia by visiting the victim at a Rome hospital.

Pretty awesome coming from a country with just as many immigrants — reportedly some 7 million — spread out all around the world and with a strong legacy of immigration to all parts of the Americas.

Via / Telegraph