The Council of Ministers of Italy today unanimously approved the decree “on security and migration”, which received the name “Salvini Decree” in the country.

The initiator of the bill, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs of Italy Matteo Salvini, welcomed the adoption of the decree on Twitter. "I'm happy. This is a step towards a safer Italy. From words to deeds!” wrote Salvini, famous for declaring that there is no room in Italy for “any more migrant.” According to him, the initiative will facilitate the fight against the mafia and people smuggling.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said that the new decree makes Italian legislation more effective and does not infringe on human rights. “We are reviewing legislation to make it more effective, while fully respecting human rights and international agreements,” Al Jazeera quoted him as saying.

The decree makes it easier for Italy to expel migrants and sets six criteria for people seeking “humanitarian protection” in Italy, a status inferior to international refugee status. Refugee status may be denied to persons recognized as socially dangerous, or who have committed an offense during the consideration of their application.

The Italian parliament has 60 days to vote on the government initiative and make it law.

Observers say some 90,000 refugees from Africa have arrived in Italy on smuggling boats since the beginning of this year. Italy was forced to close its ports to migrant ships. Over the weekend, Panama suspended the registration of the last non-government rescue vessel, Aquarius, which was engaged in rescuing refugees at sea. Doctors Without Borders attributed this to "brazen economic and political pressure" from Italy.

The Italian government has decided to tighten immigration rules