Wednesday, 16 September 2009The French Government has revised the controversial law authorizing DNA tests for the families of immigrants seeking to join their relatives in France. The country’s Immigration Minister, Eric Besson, has shown significant opposition to the practice.
The law would apply to the citizens of nine countries in Africa and Asia. Those include Angola, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Cap Verde, Dominican Republic, Guinea-Conakry, Ghana, Madagascar and Pakistan. The DNA tests are viewed as stigmatizing sub-Saharan Africans since those from Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia were not included.
The ruling is considered a part of Nicolas Sarkozy’s attempts to tighten immigration in the country. The relevant decree had been accepted by the Parliament in 2007 when Brice Hortefeux was in charge as the Interior Minister of the country. The application was scheduled to start on 31 December 2009.
The DNA tests were to be carried out at French consulates around the world; however the implementation of it is not feasible according to Immigration Minister Besson. The Ministry of Immigration is unable to comply with the web of conditions in the heavily-amended text that was finally voted by parliament, according to the Minister.
"The genetic samples should be taken by a doctor. Our consulates aren't equipped for that. We'd need to invest a lot of resources for a very marginal interest," the Minister said.
The DNA tests could speed up visa applications and help prove a genuine biological link between children and parents, according to its supporters.
The highest legal authority, the French Constitutional Council raised its reservations although they did not oppose the practice. The DNA tests could not be used systematically and therefore they would be voluntary under law.
|
Wednesday, 16 September 2009
Nermin Aydemir (JTW)
|
|
