Rich nations 'giving in to prejudice'

nizi

BRAZIL'S President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva criticized wealthy nations as xenophobic today and urged them to show more solidarity after the European Union adopted tougher immigration policies last week.

EU lawmakers ruled that illegal immigrants can be detained for up to 18 months and face a re-entry ban of up to five years, measures condemned by human rights groups.

"The cold wind of xenophobia is again blowing its false answers to economic and social challenges," Mr Lula said to a group of business leaders in Sao Paulo.

"What is the big problem we have in the developed world today? It's prejudice against immigration. It's fear of losing status quo, jobs. It's an extremely serious problem in all of Europe today," Mr Lula told a conference on corporate governance.

Last week Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez also criticized the EU measures and threatened to stop selling it oil.

Mr Lula, a former union leader who has championed the fight against global hunger, urged wealthy nations to share.

"Today with unemployment, hunger and financial (market) instability, we need more co-ordination between nations and more solidarity between peoples," said Mr Lula.

Europe should not bar entry to the poor but aid the development of their countries, Mr Lula said.

Brazil complained earlier this year that Spain mistreated citizens barred from entry.

High-level talks ended the diplomatic row and reduced the number of incidents.

Immigration from Latin American countries has been particularly strong in Spain, Portugal and Italy.