Italy defends immigration policy

MILAN, Italy, Sept. 26 (UPI) -- Italy says none of the 757 immigrants it intercepted at sea and sent back to Libya over the summer had requested asylum.

The Italian government made the claim in a letter to the European Commission in response to the EC's request for details about its controversial "push-back" immigration policy.

In the letter -- dated Sept. 8 and obtained by the Italian news agency ANSA Friday -- the government said none of the immigrants taken to Libya between May 6 and August 30 ''made any request for international protection or mention of persecution in their own country.''

The letter, ANSA reported, also says Libya has ratified an African Union Convention on refugees "obliging it to guarantee protection of anyone facing persecution."

Italy said its policy complies with international laws protecting the rights of those seeking asylum. And the letter defends the push-back policy of turning away ships in the Mediterranean to combat illegal immigration.

Italy said it wants the EU to cooperate in limiting the number of immigrants who land on the shores of southern European countries.

But the EC, along with the U.N. and Human Rights Watch, say Italy's policy denies the chance for asylum to immigrants intercepted at sea.

Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, in a meeting with the EU Parliament Friday, said the EU should protect the "inalienable right to asylum for those forced to ask for it.''