Addressing the immigration problem

Reacting to comments about the role of the JRS vis-à-vis illegal immigrants in Malta, the Jesuit Provincial wrote (November 10) that "the JRS was able to make a contribution to the setting up of the refugee law in 2000". He adds that "the fact remains that the problem is bigger than us" and concludes that "a solution could only be found through agreement and solidarity both on a national and international level".

One questions here the wisdom of pushing through the Refugee Bill 2000 in such an unreserved manner at all in such a small and fragile country like Malta. From the beginning it was obvious that the "problem is bigger than us". All the parties concerned were warned that once the Bill falls into place as a consequence endless numbers of people seeking asylum would materialise and eventually become unsustainable for Malta's land mass and economy During the last five months alone, according to Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg speaking on Xarabank, 700 boat people landed here.

This translates into the USA equivalent of 516,000 if we compare the new arrivals proportionately to the size of our population (400,000) as against that of America (294 million). Should we further adjust calculations to take into account the number of heads per kilometre squared and compare the 32 American per kilometre squared with our 1,265, than the USA equivalent figure of 516,000 will have to increase by 39.5 times to read an astonishing 20.3 million.

One cannot image that America would even consider such a vast intake in such a short span of time. Additionally, the Bush Administration is presently seeking to further limit its immigration and asylum seeker intake by passing a Bill which is described as "the biggest assault we have ever seen on political asylum. If passed it would make it incredibly difficult for anyone to be granted asylum in this country" - Human Rights First.

In sharp contrast, Malta has legislated an unlimited Refugee Bill and boasts the highest recognition rate (over 50 per cent) of asylum seekers in the whole of Europe. Now that the Bill is here, the asylum seekers are in Hal Far and are soon to spread out into Marsa and with more likely to follow once this winter breather is over one wonders how the Provincial will manifest his sound advice that "a solution could only be found through agreement and solidarity both on a national and international level".

The Provincial has an international machinery with considerable muscle at his disposal and I urge him to consider carrying on the work started on an international level too now. Our main focus needs to shift from the local front as the refugee problem cannot be solved here.

The Malta bridge between Africa and Europe is risking economic collapse as it is and, catalysed by the arrival of an endless stream of people seeking shelter, may actually give in. For the good of all and the asylum seekers themselves we need a good robust bridge or host. The JRS latest demand is to change the local law and open up the detention centres. At the same time they give the message that their local accommodation set-up is materially exhausted and that they cannot increase intake. The rest of Malta will naturally then have to shoulder the weight of feeding and sheltering the rest of the stream of people coming here.

As the Provincial himself suggested the solution cannot be found on local shores alone. So I ask why are the resources of the Vatican state not asked to help Malta? I am positive that although financially and spatially per capita it can afford more than Malta it may at least share part of the problem by intervening diplomatically and politically on Malta's behalf.

As it is Malta's "wealth" is an illusion as its national debt most agree is shooting on a seemingly unstoppable upward mode very much like the Mater Dei Hospital estimates and the number of asylum seekers. I plead with the Provincial to weigh carefully all the aspects of the present dramatic scenario in the Mediterranean and, having helped Malta into the human traffickers' itinerary, to use his international arm to help our government on the spiritual and material level to:

a) obtain derogation of the Dublin Convention from the EU thus allowing all asylum seekers here to apply for refugee status in a European country of their choice;

tackle the 1950 UN refugee law in order to sensitise the world community of the special needs of a small host frontier city state like Malta, a state which is risking being ground to dust under the tidal wave of a movement of people out of burning Africa towards the European haven and

b) unite with all the political parties to tackle this supreme challenge together.