Too many bullies

It is a pity that I have to start off this piece where I left off in the last one. Once again we have had a foul committed against the press, perhaps (in)appropriately in the context of a football match; Malta vs Croatia, of course. This time the victims were photographers and cameramen. Security personnel engaged by the Malta Football Association not only physically obstructed them from providing the coverage that readers and viewers expect from them but their camera memory cards and video tapes were forcibly taken away from them, purportedly to avoid tarnishing Malta's reputation.

This might have been understandable, though certainly not justifiable, if the perpetrators of the violence were local supporters; but our supporters and officials were the victims, with no less than a minister and MFA officials having to be treated for injuries and even hospitalised after the aggression launched by Croatian hooligans. How could Malta's image be conceivably tarnished by the violence of foreigners? It is difficult to understand what the real intention of those who obstructed the press in performing its duties were. Their actions were not only illegal but unacceptable in a democratic society.

Our Press Club has already harshly criticised them and demanded an inquiry and international journalist organisations should follow suit. This is what will tarnish Malta's reputation and democratic credentials! An inquiry into the behaviour of the so-called "security personnel" is a must. Who are these "security personnel"? Are they officially authorised to act as such? Are they even known to the authorities? Do they have any means of identification or are they just an appointed squad of "bullies"?

There are also such security personnel within the ranks of the political parties and the General Workers' Union. Again, these are necessary, both to secure the safety of party officials and premises and to keep good order during certain events. Yet, we have seen unwarranted aggression, also against members of the press corps, particularly cameramen and photographers, in this sector too. One can mention incidents at the recent Labour Party general conference on the EU Constitution. Are these personnel licensed or trained? Luckily, the political thugs of the 1970s and the 1980s are a thing of the past. We must not resurrect them.

Unfortunately, there are too many bullies in this country, many of them unlicensed. The ones that automatically come to mind are the "bouncers" in many of our entertainment spots. There is no doubt that security personnel are required in these places, which are crowded and where many patrons are intoxicated. The police cannot monitor every establishment all the time and a heavy police presence outside of serious and grave situations is unwelcome in an area of entertainment. Such a presence is unpleasant, to say the least. Accordingly, "bouncers" are found all over the world and I believe that there is some sort of regulation in Malta. But are they trained to handle situations and people, to be courteous and restrain themselves as much as possible? Are they supervised by the police authorities?

We have had a number of cases before our law courts where these personnel have not only overreacted but have zealously beaten up patrons, sometimes causing fractures and other grievous bodily harm. Perhaps the majority of the victims have been coloured people; a reflection of our people's increasing and truly alarming xenophobia. This has been intentionally fanned by a number of individuals and organisations that are getting more and more into the limelight. It has also been sadly reflected in a recent poll carried out by The Times.

The large numbers of irregular immigrants have contributed in no small way to the views and perceptions that are held by the participants in this poll. There is no doubt that we have a crisis of the greatest proportions on our hands. Our national security forces are stretched to the limit. Their work is unpleasant and very frustrating and will attract the sympathy of all. But again these men are expected to exercise the greatest of self-restraint, which undoubtedly they are largely doing, since, perhaps surprisingly, incidents of violence, particularly of their making, are largely inexistent. They must avoid any "bullying" of those under their care at all costs, even if provoked. I will not comment on the Safi barracks incident involving members of the armed forces because this is still subject to an official inquiry.

Certainly, however, whatever the result of this inquiry, there is nothing our security forces can do about the situation. This has to be solved at a political level and it is heartening to see the great efforts being made by our Home Affairs and Foreign Ministers producing, albeit limited, results with the European Union and Libya. This is where the hardship of our policemen and soldiers can be alleviated. It has been broadly recognised that Malta is in the midst of a serious crisis and that our situation for well-known reasons is a particular one. We must hope that a solution will be found.