Labour distances itself from MP's proposal for migrant buses

A Labour MP's proposal to introduce a segregated bus service for immigrants travelling to Birzebbuga smacked of apartheid, Neil Falzon, head of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees' office in Malta, insisted yesterday.

Labour Party general secretary Jason Micallef also distanced himself from Joe M. Sammut's comments in Parliament on Tuesday, insisting this was his personal opinion and not the MLP's stand.

Dr Sammut's remarks also drew the disapproval of Social Solidarity Minister Dolores Cristina and Marsa Open Centre manager Terry Gosden.

In his adjournment speech, Dr Sammut complained that migrants were turning parts of Marsa into no-go areas, adding that Birzebbuga residents were having to wait long hours for bus No. 13 because it was always full up with migrants going to the Hal Far camp.

He proposed that the Malta Transport Authority (ADT) either increase the number of buses on the route or introduce a different service for migrants.

Contacted by The Times yesterday to find out why he was suggesting such a discriminatory measure, Dr Sammut stuck to his comments and insisted something had to be done.

It was pointed out that Mellieha residents face a similar problem in summer when buses were loaded with tourists. No special bus service was introduced for them.

"I'm not interested in Mellieha, what I care about is my district. These people are literally spending hours waiting for a bus and something has to be done," he said.

In his speech, Dr Sammut said that while he was not a racist, he was concerned that even a senior police officer had admitted he was afraid to go to certain parts of Marsa after certain hours. The immigrants were rendering parts of Malta as no-go areas.

When it was pointed out that certain areas of Marsa were never safe because of prostitution and other activities, Dr Sammut shrugged this aside saying these were "local people".

"Try going there at night... It's as if you're entering a gangland. Security should be stepped up. While we are trying to upgrade Malta to a five-star status, Marsa remains a shantytown. The EU has to do something," he added. His remarks were condemned by Dr Falzon who expressed surprise at hearing such discriminatory comments, reminiscent of apartheid, being uttered in Parliament.

"The proposal to create a special bus service stinks of racial discrimination and violation of human rights. These people are paying to use the public transport like everybody else," he said.

"As an MP, I would expect him to encourage the values of tolerance, non-discrimination and human rights, promoting the integration of immigrants. It is regrettable that in a forum like Parliament we have to hear these comments," Dr Falzon added.

While pointing out that certain areas of Marsa were never the venue for family outings, it was certainly not the Bronx and he encouraged Dr Sammut to visit the open centre to see what the immigrants had managed to make out of their own lives.

Commenting on Dr Sammut's reported claims that migrants were buying property in Marsa, Dr Falzon said the aim of the open centre was to help these people (most of whom had a work permit and paid taxes) gain independence and integrate into society.

These sentiments were echoed by Mr Gosden who said it was unacceptable to hear an MP propose the concept of racial segregation.

"I invite MPs from any party to come down to the open centre and have a look. In the three years I have been here, no soldier has been attacked and they are treated respectfully overall. We all co-exist," he said.

Mr Gosden recalled the massive discrimination witnessed in the UK 40 years ago, and said luckily Malta had not reached such a state.

"I applaud those Maltese who understand the difficulties such a change brings in society," he said.

Mrs Cristina also spoke about how immigration was a challenge for Malta, but solutions to the problems created by this phenomenon required a concerted effort on all fronts, both national and international.

"Certainly, the spectre of racism has raised its head and this cannot be disputed. It is alarming, to say the least, to witness many people beginning their discourse with the phrase, 'I'm not a racist but...' as though implying that there are exceptions to racism," she insisted.

The government, she said, had been nothing but clear and categorical in stating that racism was not tolerated here.

Commenting on the proposal for a segregated bus service, Mrs Cristina said this was "completely unheard of in a democracy".