Editorial
Malta's detention policy and racism
The recent report by the European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) criticises Malta for its policy of imposing a period of detention on illegal immigrants arriving here pending their application for asylum. The report asserts that this fuels racism among the Maltese.
Alas, the report is simplistic. Because the commission's purpose is to monitor "racism, xenophobia, anti-semitism and intolerance" it inevitably sees the very complex problem of illegal immigration in Malta almost exclusively through that narrow prism. The situation is far more nuanced than that and it would be as well for international bodies like ECRI to try to assess it with greater objectivity.
That there is an element of latent racism and xenophobia among the Maltese is difficult to deny. But it would be wrong to deduce that this follows from the government's policy of detention. Doing so would be misleading. Considerable practical merit is seen in arrangements that allow the government proper control of illegal arrivals in the country through the process of detention while their applications are being considered. To do otherwise would be to risk losing control over an already difficult asylum process.
As to the accusation of racism in the face of the tidal wave of illegal immigrants, mostly from sub-Saharan Africa - amounting in relative population terms to the equivalent of almost 1.5 million entering the United Kingdom or France in the last six years - what those who find the Maltese expressions of concern unacceptable fail to appreciate is that this is for this population a new phenomenon. While most advanced countries in Europe have been receiving an influx of coloured immigrants over the last three or four decades, this is for Malta a new experience. Most countries in Europe have learnt over time to cope with the inevitable stresses and strains that mass migration has brought - and, indeed, to adapt to the demands of multi-culturalism and multi-racism. Not without problems, mind you!
Malta still has to learn to adapt to the situation. Illegal immigration is not going to cease in the foreseeable future. The likelihood is that it will get worse as African failed states multiply and climate change exacerbates mass migration. Thus, there is an urgent need for the government to face up to this challenge.
There is an inclination to suppose that Malta can somehow be spared the consequences of illegal immigration by a munificent European Union. Of course, Malta should expect solidarity and burden-sharing by the EU to feature in any policy - the ECRI report was notably silent about this - but there are still many things that the country should be doing for itself.
Foremost among these is the need for a concerted effort by the government to ensure that those who are given asylum or protection here are treated in a civilised and humane manner. This means ensuring that conditions they live under in open accommodation centres are considerably better, preparing to integrate them into our society and using their employment skills more productively. It also means an exercise in leadership by the government, the Church and opinion-formers in civil society to stress that misplaced racism and xenophobia are unacceptable and that the natural fears and prejudices that exist must be discouraged.
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Kamal Awad
May 27th 2008, 02:39
No blame on government. Money ‘alone” is not the only fix. The key is within us.
The Maltese are Fretted – Why the European Union tackling on immigrants is not up to the Maltese expectations?
Continues surveys carried out in Malta (on behalf of the EU Commission to detect racism and the xenophobia in member states ) demonstrate that racism and xenophobia are high among population, yet alarming. This place Malta at a disadvantageous place among member states. More importantly, this goes against the fundamental values of the EU: Human rights and Democracy.
These also puts our politicians at very awful shape when negotiating the immigrants issue with their European counterparts.
Now – shall we get out of the EU? NO-This is out of question. Shall we kill immigrants? Certainly not. Shall we keep crying and post clunky writing? Waste of time and only fuel the situation. So, what is the solutions? We must start from within us. Who should lead the way? Every genuine Maltese citizen. But how? We start from parents, schools, youth centers and churches and before every thing Media. This is my view any way and its (trashable)
Alfred Farrugia
May 27th 2008, 00:10
With reference to Section 105 of the Council of Europe’s ECRI Third Report on Malta adopted on 14 December 2007 [CRI (2008) 22], can the Maltese authorities ask ECRI whether a policy of wet foot /dry foot would increase or decrease the level of racism and xenophobia among the general population?
The largest and wealthiest country in the world, the US, has an immigration problem of its own. In spite of its huge land and valuable resources, the US has what it calls a wet foot / dry foot policy. Immigrants caught at sea are returned to their point of departure straight away. Those who succeed to land go through the appropriate process, including detention.
The implementation of this policy would drastically reduce the number of those detained and release much needed funds required for the maintenance of the detention centres. Is such a policy acceptable to ECRI?
If according to ECRI, Malta should integrate the illegal immigrants that land in Malta, would the EU have any objection if Malta were to assign to them Maltese citizenship with all the accruing EU rights of freedom of movement?
Kamal Awad
May 26th 2008, 18:33
Quote:
'While most advanced countries in Europe have been receiving an influx of coloured immigrants over the last three or four decades,'
NO COMMENT
Joseph Calleja
May 26th 2008, 17:08
Ever since Malta Joined the EU ,the Maltese Government has lost it's full powers over a lot of its governing laws. When Malta joined the EU, the Maltese People lost their liberty because now they have to answer to a bigger power and they agreed to abide by the EU rules. I still believe that the EU is not doing enough to relieve Malta from this new burden. Malta is too small to absorb the influx of illegals arriving every week. The illegals should be documented and given medical check ups upon arrival, then it should be up to the EU to see that these people are assimilated into other EU countries.
Jean Pierre Aquilina
May 26th 2008, 16:22
There is also another aspect to should be mentioned.
Any comments on the problems that we face with the influx of illegal immigrants are unfortunatelty frequently dismissed as racist, xenophobic, anti-semitic or intolerant comments, particlarly when such comments are made by public figures. This has led to a situation where illegal immigration cannot be discussed in a mature manner where solutions to the problems we face can be identified and pursued.
When we joined the EU, the Government negotiated measures to avoid large influx of EU citizens that could threaten local jobs. We now face illegal immigration which places financial burdens on taxpayers and which threatens local jobs, particularly those of low income workers. True, we still need to learn to adapt to the situation, but one must not forget that charity begins at home.
Graham Crocker
May 26th 2008, 12:56
It is unfair that everybody else is allowed to move freely, while we cannot.
Europe is the last place, that should be talking about Racism, I believe it was them who started this whole "black is inferior" thing and it was them who moved in Africa and made a mess about it.
We Maltese didn't steal 1 micro gram of Resources from Africa, therefore we should not be held responsible for these failed states. The Rest of Europe who created the Mess should be dealing with it.
Sandro Pace
May 26th 2008, 11:01
Failed States continue to multiply, but Malta's size remains constant. Malta's population is still increasing by its own accord. Malta will be facing climate change and global warming problems of its own.
What challenge? What adaptation? Are we going to continue to be on the defensive when faced with such useless reports. They should not be given importance.
Please choose the reason of your report below: