Patriotism and values

What makes this country tick? Why is it that this tiny state has survived the ravages and vicissitudes of history to stand today as one of only two sovereign islands in the Mediterranean?

There is no doubt that a fiery pride, most common among islanders, was a moving force to achieve what others have not - an independent nation, and, today, membership of the European Union.

Nationalism, patriotism, a love of one's own country are virtues not vices. Indeed, religion and language have played a significant role in Malta's road to independence. But what kind of rationalism do we need now? Does patriotism mean following the emotional banner of xenophobia often shrouded under the demagogic phrases "charity begins at home"?

Indeed, the sudden influx of a record number of immigrants has fanned a widespread emotion-laden feeling that the country is under attack; that a threat is looming on the horizon. I understand the worries and sense of insecurity of the ordinary man in the street accustomed to live in the comfort of a totally homogeneous community.

But Malta has never spurned the presence of foreigners. The complete confusion that exists in people's minds - at times fomented by sections of an ill-informed media - between refugees and irregular immigrants (klandestini) is widespread; so is the mistaken view that our coast guard boats rope in, and tow to our shores, any boat laden with such migrants passing through our waters on the way to their destination.

We do nothing of the sort. Our armed forces intervene only when a distress signal has been received from any vessel within our search and rescue zone and following such intervention such vessels are towed to safety to Malta if the island happens to be the nearest safe port.

Once such migrants land on our shores, they are immediately detained and released only if their asylum application is successful. If they deserve protection under our law, then we have a duty, morally and legally, if we intend to continue being members of the civilised world, to accept such persons.

Those who are refused protection have to go. The government intends speeding up this process by checking abuses in the system. Applicants whose request for asylum is considered by the Refugee Commissioner to be "manifestly unfounded" may be deported following such decision, irrespective of the filing of an appeal. In so doing, abusive applications will be dismissed - creating more time to expeditiously decide applications that deserve attention.

This measure is fully in line with the proposed EU Directive on the granting of refugee status and has been introduced in some EU states. Malta will be among the first to introduce such measures. In so doing, we shall be protecting our interests as a nation, without dismissing the individual's right to a proper hearing of his case for asylum. Not any negative decision by the Refugee Commissioner will lead to immediate deportation but only if such negative decision contains a finding that an application was manifestly unfounded, frivolous or vexatious.

The government intends to intensify its repatriation policy with regard to rejected asylum-seekers and others who have no right to remain here.

The deportation of 170 immigrants over a short period of time sends a distinct message that Malta offers shelter only to those who are genuinely fleeing persecution. The rest will be deported to their country of origin or any other country which accepts them.

The time has come for countries of transit to put their house in order, by strengthening their administrative capacity to process asylum applications themselves, thus becoming first countries of asylum, and by accepting some of their responsibility in the matter and receiving back some of those who left their shores.

In this respect, the intervention in EU circles by Foreign Minister Michael Frendo to subject development aid to re-admission agreements was timely and well received by our European partners.

Patriotism means loving one's country, which means cherishing its values and assets. Xenophobia is not one of them.

Dr Borg is Home Affairs Minister.