This written declaration commits only those who have signed it.
On 19 April 2010, the Governor of Arizona, USA, Mrs. Jan Brewer,
enacted the “Safe neighborhoods; immigration;
law enforcement”, known as the SB1070 Bill. The immigration laws
are federal in nature; the SB1070 Bill is a local one that contradicts
this principle. Moreover, it makes irregular migration a crime and allows
the police to interrogate and even to arrest any person under suspicion
of being an illegal migrant, based on “reasonable grounds”, that
is, on their physical appearance, bringing back horrible memories
of “facial profiling”. It is very likely to encourage xenophobia
towards migrants, especially Mexicans and Central Americans, violating
their fundamental rights. They are not illegal human beings.
The Council of Europe is well known for its devotion to defending
the values of democracy, protection of human rights and the rule
of law as well as its solidarity for its members and observer States
when in trouble.
The undersigned members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the
Council of Europe call on solidarity against the SB 1070 Bill, which
is contrary to its values.
