France's constitutional court ruled in favour of olive farmer Cedric Herrou on Friday after he was prosecuted for helping dozens of illegal migrants who had entered the country.
Herrou was fined 3,000 Euros in 2017 after providing assistance to migrants in the Roya Valley, located on the border between France and Italy.
However, the courts ruled in favour of Cedric's actions based on the 'principle of fraternity', one of the three values that make up Frances motto; Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.
Patrice Spinosi, Herrou's lawyer during the court case, told AFP: “The principle of fraternity has been recognised. If a helping hand is selflessly extended to a foreigner, it should not be punished.”
Herrou, like many other French citizens who live near the border, felt it was necessary to help the migrants regardless of the legal implications of their entry into France.
"The concept of fraternity confers the freedom to help others, for humanitarian purposes, without consideration for the legality of their stay on national territory," the constitutional court ruled, and went so far as to state that France's parliament should adapt the law.
This decision has major implications for the future direction of European attitude towards migration law and policy.
In a statement, Interior Minister Gerard Collomb said the ruling was compatible with draft immigration and asylum legislation being debated in parliament.
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Over the last few years, Europe has adopted increasingly hostile immigration policies, taking a more protectionist stance of redirecting migrants towards camps and other EU nations.
French constitutional law grants immunity to anyone who offers such help to a foreigner without receiving anything, such as money, in return.
The court said the words "unlawful stay" should be removed to ensure that the principle of fraternity extends to those in France both legally and illegally.
The ruling could be a first of many legal decisions by high courts throughout Europe to reverse legal migration policy towards supporting rather than barring migrants and may lead to changes in Government policy.
However, the ruling has created divides between the left and right ideological movements in France, a country that has been plagued with a wave of nationalist, anti-foreign sentiment that was expressed through Marine Le Pen's popularity during the 2017 French election campaign.
“This is an ideological victory for those who consider that illegal immigration is legitimate ... and an encouragement for those who think France doesn't have the right to protect its borders," said Eric Ciotti and Guillaume Larrive in a statement after the court ruling, both members of 'The Republicans' centre-right political party.
Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters
Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding
Hili 2: Unesco World Heritage site
The site is part of the Hili archaeological park in Al Ain. Excavations there have proved the existence of the earliest known agricultural communities in modern-day UAE. Some date to the Bronze Age but Hili 2 is an Iron Age site. The Iron Age witnessed the development of the falaj, a network of channels that funnelled water from natural springs in the area. Wells allowed settlements to be established, but falaj meant they could grow and thrive. Unesco, the UN's cultural body, awarded Al Ain's sites - including Hili 2 - world heritage status in 2011. Now the most recent dig at the site has revealed even more about the skilled people that lived and worked there.
The specs: 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn
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Roll of honour: Who won what in 2018/19?
West Asia Premiership: Winners – Bahrain; Runners-up – Dubai Exiles
UAE Premiership: Winners – Abu Dhabi Harlequins; Runners-up – Jebel Ali Dragons
Dubai Rugby Sevens: Winners – Dubai Hurricanes; Runners-up – Abu Dhabi Harlequins
UAE Conference: Winners – Dubai Tigers; Runners-up – Al Ain Amblers
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A fraudulent investment operation where the scammer provides fake reports and generates returns for old investors through money paid by new investors, rather than through ligitimate business activities.
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Company name: Klipit
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The Crown season 5
Stars: Imelda Staunton, Jonathan Pryce, Lesley Manville, Jonny Lee Miller, Dominic West, Elizabeth Debicki, Salim Daw and Khalid Abdalla
Written by: Peter Morgan
Rating: 4/5 stars
Herc's Adventures
Developer: Big Ape Productions
Publisher: LucasArts
Console: PlayStation 1 & 5, Sega Saturn
Rating: 4/5
Confirmed bouts (more to be added)
Cory Sandhagen v Umar Nurmagomedov
Nick Diaz v Vicente Luque
Michael Chiesa v Tony Ferguson
Deiveson Figueiredo v Marlon Vera
Mackenzie Dern v Loopy Godinez
Tickets for the August 3 Fight Night, held in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, went on sale earlier this month, through www.etihadarena.ae and www.ticketmaster.ae.
Match info:
Portugal 1
Ronaldo (4')
Morocco 0
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Day 4, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Not much was expected – on Sunday or ever – of Hasan Ali as a batsman. And yet he lit up the late overs of the Pakistan innings with a happy cameo of 29 from 25 balls. The highlight was when he launched a six right on top of the netting above the Pakistan players’ viewing area. He was out next ball.
Stat of the day – 1,358 There were 1,358 days between Haris Sohail’s previous first-class match and his Test debut for Pakistan. The lack of practice in the multi-day format did not show, though, as the left-hander made an assured half-century to guide his side through a potentially damaging collapse.
The verdict As is the fashion of Test matches in this country, the draw feels like a dead-cert, before a clatter of wickets on the fourth afternoon puts either side on red alert. With Yasir Shah finding prodigious turn now, Pakistan will be confident of bowling Sri Lanka out. Whether they have enough time to do so and chase the runs required remains to be seen.
