The European Parliament has passed a controversial set of EU rules for dealing with illegal immigrants.

The guidelines allow the 27 EU members to hold illegal immigrants for up to 18 months in special detention centres before deporting them. Illegal immigrants also face a five-year re-entry ban.

Lawmakers backed the measures by a large majority despite opposition from many Socialist and Green parties, and condemnation from human rights groups.

"We consider that systematic detention of persons who have committed no crime is inhumane and unwarranted," The European Council on Refugees and Exiles said.

Those supporting the measures, including EU Commissioner Jacques Barrot, argue they safeguard rights for legal immigrants while setting common European standards for illegal ones.

One of the measures adopted requires that illegal immigrants be given 30 days to voluntarily leave before being detained.

"Europe has made it clear that it is not tolerating any form of illegal status," German parliamentarian Manfred Weber, who steered the bill through Parliament, commented.

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