After several discussions, the parliament decided to label illegal migrants as victims rather than defendants who could be punished for illegal immigration, in order to focus more on holding accountable the entities that organise or assist in the illegal operation, member of parliament Tarek El- Khouly told Daily News Egypt on Tuesday. How to deal with illegal immigrants was a point of contention among MPs. Some view illegal immigrants as a person who feels forced to leave the country due to poor conditions or opportunities, while others have the view that punishing illegal immigrants will reduce the phenomenon. Despite this protocol, Egypt was involved in the extra-judicial killing and arrest of many illegal immigrants who attempted to immigrate via Egypt’s borders in the Sinai Peninsula, local media reported. On 11 October, a tripartite summit was held by Egyptian, Cypriot, and Greek leaders who agreed on the importance of dealing with illegal immigration and the flow of refugees.

Source: Daily News Egypt October 18, 2016 16:41 UTC