Migrant repatriations drop by half

Raymond Sammut

Jul 3rd 2008, 19:55

Your own words, Ms Vella, not mine. Caught off guard weren't you?

Corinne Vella

Jul 2nd 2008, 21:46

Raymond Sammut: Still obsessing, are we? Read this very carefully: Malta's IMMEDIATE alternative is to allow people to drown. Malta cannot bring human trafficking to an end overnight. If we're to follow Louise Vella's advice and arbitrarily decide to cap the number of arrivals, the only way of not going beyond that arbitrary quota would be to breach our search and rescue obligations and even our own laws. That means people would drown and that's not what you want, is it?

And please disabuse yourself of the notion that I'm interested in human tragedy continuing because Malta derives money from the situation. I made that remark earlier because it is hypocritical for people to throw their hands up in horror at migrant arrivals while saying nothing about reaping the benefits of Malta's search and rescue area.

Sandro Pace

Jul 2nd 2008, 21:29

First of all, nothing is going to tame anyone from speaking his mind and directly on this issue. Rest assured about that. People do that all the time, in streets and everywhere.

Secondly, it is not just a matter of opinion that amassing a concentration of migrants on this island, goes against the national interest and has a destabilising effect on a country. There is no escaping this argument.

Thirdly, the above minister's statement does not only make the traffickers as criminals, but also those who continue lying to our authorities. Hence 'ILLEGAL' immigrants, whom our country has to provide land for their accommodation. Which will become unsustainable and unacceptable, at this rate.

Fourthly, yes, if nothing else works, our country should give prior warnings that it cannot continue to be responsible for those who deliberately put themselves at risk. And act on its words after the warning period. Everything has its limits.

Great leaders not always did pleasant things to protect the rights, social stability and living space of THEIR citizens and future generations. Defensively. If the EU, the UN or the entire world for that matter cannot understand our limits, it will be up to them.

Raymond Sammut

Jul 2nd 2008, 20:18

@ Corinne Vella

Malta's immediate alternative is not to let people drown. No one ever suggested that people should be allowed to drown. The alternative is to bring to an end the activity of human traffickers taking place mainly along the Libyan coast. Presently there appears to be a lull in this activity following Mr Berlussconi's visit to Sirte where he met Mr Gaddafi, and both held lengthy talks on several issues, one of them illegal immigration. Both leaders appear to have shown a genuine concern on this important issue. You seem to be the only one who wants this human tragedy to go on for ever so that Malta can keep getting revenue from search and rescue operations.

M . Mercieca

Jul 2nd 2008, 17:09

@Louise Vella
I do not mind that we talk immigrants as long as it will deflect people's attention from our surchagre problem.

The main reason why I voted for Malta's EU membership is just to protect Malta from the Maltese. Particularly those few (that don’t fill one ballot box) peoples promote all forms of racism- xenophobia or Islam phobia.

All these type of peoples will be tamed under EU racism- xenophobia or Islam phobia laws.

Irregular immigrants will keep coming to us in much bigger numbers. The government knows that Europe needs millions of immigrants and the Government also getting funds to cope with this situation.

Immigrants don’t take a penny from tax payer’s money and Louise Vella
Should understand that.

Very true, the topic of irregular immigrants has bestowed xenophobic and racist peoples a good cloak to come into sight patriots like!

Corinne Vella

Jul 2nd 2008, 16:52

Louise Vella: You're missing a number in that list - how many people are you willing to allow to drown in the name of protecting Malta's national interest?

You see, your concen with the number of people on land is not the only parameter that Malta is obliged to consider. More common sense, please, and less pomposity and hot air.

Sandro Pace

Jul 2nd 2008, 15:33

Neither immigration nor S&R revenue bring money to Malta. The latter is used to cover the costs involved. Massive or other immigration has no benefits to our country, and if one has doubts, one has to read the recent House of Lords report in the UK. Which applies also to Malta.

The prime minister said that this is invasion, so surely, if he cant see benefit or revenue, there isnt.

The fact that these are uncooperative shows how they are taking our society and the Maltese State for a ride. The fact that we are forced into going to get them from miles away makes it worse.

A situation that cannot continue forever. No country has the right or obligation to be overwhelmed, especially a little country like ours.

And the statement shows that most of them are here by deceit. Its clear.

Joe Tabone-Adami

Jul 2nd 2008, 15:30

So, with 8800 illegal migrants arriving in Malta up to the end of 2007 and 871 arriving since January this year, that makes 9671 - not very far from the 10,000 figure "aimed at" by Ms Louise Vella and not counting new births in the Island. There are still hundreds of millions more in Africa who would dare risk their lives in crossing this pool of the Mediterranean to get a better life in Europe. Again, may I ask, where do we go from here??

Louise Vella

Jul 2nd 2008, 14:30

Nations have rights and duties. Above all they have interests. The ongoing invasion (to use PM Gonzi's word) by illegal immigrants is certainly not in Malta's interest - because it's illegal, systematic, massive and unending. If it were 100 a year it would be acceptable, but 1700 to 2000 a year is much too much and unacceptable - especially because no one of the do-gooders can tell us what is the maximum number of illegal immigrants they are ready to accept in Malta - Give us numbers, please, not hot air. Then we can discuss.

Sergio Galea Vincenti

Jul 2nd 2008, 13:31

Let me be clear from the outset: Our sense of humanity and compassion dictates that we provide adequate protection and care for those in need irrespective of who they may be. I must, however, stress that Malta is facing a problem in which it is the least to blame for. We are victims as are victims all those illegal immigrants who are genuinely in need of help.

Without commenting further, one should have a look at the following map of Africa to understand where the problems are coming from and where the responsibility should lie:
http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/afri1914.htm

If anyone wishes to solve the problem further, one could also look at who is benefitting from arms sales to Africa and who is gaining from the minerals and other resources of the Black Continent.

If our MEPs want to do their job even better, they should face the EU with the stark facts of life and that is that the buck stops with those nations who have been milking Africa dry... and are now siphoning off their human resources! If Amnesty, JRS or the quirky UNHCR had any attributes of sorts, they would raise these realities and not indulge in thrashing Malta's name!

Corinne Vella

Jul 2nd 2008, 13:22

Louise Vella:
Malta's search and rescue responsibilities bring in revenue as well as migrants. How would giving up that revenue be in Malta's national interest?

Malta's immediate alternative to its current course of action is to let people drown. How would labeling people 'inconvenient' and letting them die serve Malta's national interest?
I thought that was the very principle that Malta fought against in WWII.

Human rights are intrinsic and not a favour bestowed by citizenship, whatever Azzjoni Nazzjonali, Viva Malta and Noman Imperium Europa Lowell may preach. How would breaching Malta's obligation to protect human rights be consonant with protecting the country's national interest?

Louise Vella

Jul 2nd 2008, 13:11

Minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici said up to the end of 2007 arrivals of illegal immigrants in Malta had reached 8800. That's not counting their children born in Malta. The Union Press which is counting said that 871 illegal immigrants have arrived since the beginning of 2008. We can start the countdown to see when we reach a total of 10 000 illegal immigrants. I think that is the maximum a small, densely populated island, with a fragile economy like Malta can take. Will those who disagree with me please say how many illegal immigrants they wish Malta to accept? Numbers, please, numbers.

A FARRUGIA

Jul 2nd 2008, 12:24

Let's stop this frontex mess and let the money budgeted for frontex be handed to Malta so that it may repatriate more illegal immigrants.

Mark Psaila

Jul 2nd 2008, 12:03

Can the Minister also give an account of the huge cost of repatriation? Apart from the numerous connections to take them back to their origin country, the state has to pay for the escorts also! That means, for every person, we have to pay another two escorts; trip, accomodation and overtime! And we have to pay taxes...including the 95% surcharge....for all this too!

Charles Spiteri

Jul 2nd 2008, 12:03

If we help them to stand on their own two feet and start a small business they will come over even more with the notion of being helped.-- Why not repair their boats stock them up and put them on their way to their original destination?? After all they dont want to come to Malta - so lets help them to go wherever they want. It would be cheaper and better for us

victor pulis

Jul 2nd 2008, 11:30

Let's just hope that this Assisted Voluntary Repatriation Programm is more efficient than Frontex. In fact, the positive side is it can't be worse!!!!

Louise Vella

Jul 2nd 2008, 11:26

Return or repatriation is not working for the reasons given. Burden sharing is not working for the obvious reason that few will volunteer to share others' burden. There is only one option left - border control. Up to now the government has not defended Malta's sea frontiers well enough, despite Prime Minister Gonzi's admission that "This is an invasion" (see Malta Independent on Sunday, 8 June). It is time the government took the bull by the horns and stopped the invasion. Malta's national interest - indeed its identity - comes before everything else.