According to AFP reporting on July 30th local time, Argentine President Mitterrand issued an order banning foreigners who express ‘hate’ towards Argentina from entering or staying in the country. He claimed that Argentina is becoming the target of a so-called ‘dangerous movement’.
Currently, although this decree has taken effect, it still requires parliamentary approval before it can continue to be enforced as law. However, experts have questioned the legal feasibility of this urgent decree.
This measure prohibits foreigners from being considered as “spreading or inciting hatred speech targeting Argentina and its people” upon entry, and/or being expelled from the country. Mr. Milo stated in a statement that this measure is a response to "recent hostile actions against the Argentine Republic and Argentinians."
AFP further pointed out that the term used by the Argentine far-right president seemed to refer to the public's reaction to Argentina's recent defeat to Spain in the World Cup finals in the United States and Mexico. Previously, Millet claimed on Sunday that left-wing governments in other regions of the Americas were launching a "anti-Argentina campaign."
Argentina President Mille's profile picture
According to reports, this new law also stipulates that the measure will not violate the constitutional right to express political, academic, or ideological differences.
However, this measure immediately faced criticism from the opposition party. Leonel Chiarella, the chairman of the centrist political party ‘Radical Citizens’ Alliance’, posted on social media saying, “The president’s decree is unconstitutional,” and believed that Argentina’s parliament “should explicitly reject it.”
Opposition council member Agustin Rossi stated on social media that the law “copied the anti-immigration logic of (U.S. President) Trump."
According to reports, a legislative committee will review this emergency measure. Subsequently, the measure will be brought before the House of Representatives and the Senate for consideration. It will only be abolished if both houses of Congress veto it.
Law and Society Research Center (CELS) International Law expert Lucia Galoppo states that this measure “left too many grey areas.”
She said, “It doesn’t specify what constitutes hate speech, nor does it explain how hate speech will be defined, based on what criteria, and how to identify those who express such speech.”
Sociologist Ivan Schuliaquer pointed out that this measure is also contrary to Argentina’s long history of immigration. He stated that in terms of immigration issues, Argentina has one of the most lenient constitutions in the world.
From history we can see that Argentina has welcomed immigrants from all over the world, therefore its historical foundation is extremely rich,” he said: “We do not oppose immigration.”
Schulyaeker believes that Mile is 'taking advantage of the current social atmosphere to promote a topic that generally does not belong to her political platform.'
AFP noted that Milley seems to still be troubled by Argentina's loss in the World Cup final and the series of events that occurred after the match.
Last Sunday, he criticized Brazilian, Mexican, and American Democrats, claiming that these groups were launching an "anti-Argentina campaign," which seemed to refer to the widespread criticism of the Argentine national team's performance in the finals.
FIFA is investigating the actions of several Argentine players during this final, including allegations of attacking opposing players and violating sports ethics.
FIFA will also investigate an incident that occurred after Argentina won 2-1 against England in the semi-final. During that match, an Argentine player raised a banner that read "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" (Malvinas Islands belong to Argentina).
According to Rule 4 of the FIFA Council regulations, players and substitutes are not allowed to wear (or display) anything that contains political, religious, or personal slogans, statements, or images... For any violations, players and/or teams may be sanctioned by the tournament organizers, national football associations, or FIFA.
