EU-commissioned report notes 'growing xenophobia'

A report commissioned by the EU and covering 2004 has drawn attention to what it says are underlying traits of xenophobia in Malta, even if there is little publicly available evidence of it.

Certain attitudes to foreigners, mainly Arabs and asylum seekers, need to be studied, the report says, though it admits that the absence of data is an obstacle to having a true picture of the situation.

The 2004 National Raxen Report for Malta, drawn up by the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice for the EU Monitoring Centre for Racism and Xenophobia, looks at the areas of employment, education, legislation, housing and racist violence.

The report says that legislation and official policies in general acknowledge the importance of equality and non-discrimination and there is no evidence of complaints that show that this is not being followed. Only one case of alleged racist nature was brought officially before the courts. Yet, this absence of data is in itself an obstacle to arriving at a true picture of the situation.

For example, it is very difficult to monitor the progress of refugee children in schools due to the fact that they do not stay in Malta long enough as the island is not their chosen destination.

Foreigners are generally accepted and treated well at the workplace and there have been no official complaints. Discrimination is most likely applicable to irregular immigrants, the report notes.

There were no court cases, complaints or statistics related to racism and discrimination in the housing sector in 2004.

However, surveys, such as the one carried out by Xarabank concludes that Maltese people regard Arab neighbours negatively - followed by Nigerians and Jews.

While taking note of the fact that the Housing Authority is specifically designated by law to assist only Maltese citizens, the report says that the only public evidence of racist violence and crimes is through the media. The report says there is an increasing need to create further awareness on the matter through education, in the media and even through sports.

A cross hangs in all Maltese classrooms and schools often hold Mass. Pupils of other religious beliefs are free not to participate and usually take part in other activities. There is no discriminatory measure against pupils coming from other religions. Muslims are allowed to wear headscarves.

Speaking during a news conference, JRS director Fr Paul Pace fears however that the problem of xenophobia in Malta grew in the last year.

He noted that in the 1990s there were an estimated 1,000 Iraqis and hundreds of Bosnian refugees living in Malta - and yet there was hardly, if any, racial tension. In 2006, the feeling is very different, he said.

"But if you take irregular immigrants to hospital in handcuffs, then we're giving the wrong impression," Fr Pace added.