Saturday, 5th July 2008 - 11:02CET

Migrants rescued off Malta

A group of 26 migrants, all men, were rescued by an AFM patrol boat some 70 miles south of Malta this morning.

The men were transferred from their small boat to the patrol boat, which is expected at Haywharf late this morning.

The migrants said they were from Nigeria, Guinea and Egypt,

Comments

Sandro Pace (on 6/7/08)

Tourism issues and immigration ones are two different things, in many ways than one. Economically, it does not need any explanation. They stay in hotels, for which they pay for everything, stay a week here, and go back. No pressures on the labour market, or even accomodation. Not to mention social problems.

I would not mention profits. But at least tourists pay for the use of our scarce resources, including water, electricity etc. etc.

As for immigration, the 'while longer' is indefinite at best and permanent at worse.
We, or our State, will soon need to find land to accomodate 'towns' for their ever increasing numbers. From where? Its a demographic invasion and nothing else. Its unsustainable.

Anthony Borg (on 6/7/08)

Come on brothers and sisters, let's show some kindness to these unfortunate people. Let's practice the word of our Lord and give the shirt off our backs to these poor unfortunate souls. Let us follow the Church's example and help these people with food and shelter. Let us share our good fortune with these people that the world would rather forget. Oh Lord let our Maltese brothers and sisters shower these new arrivals on our tiny Island with love and gifts and make them feel welcome and welcome them to our homes and share a meal with us. Blessed be the name of God.

Saviour A Ellul-Bonici (on 6/7/08)

Can anybody tell me what is happening to all the boats that these illegal immigrants arrive with. It is imperative and I sincerely hope it is so, that whoever is in charge keeps them well maintained. Please remember that our children will one day have to make their own getaway in them.

Luciano Mule Stagno (on 5/7/08)

In reference to the last question - and this is just my personal opinion, not an official reply - but we seem to have no problem absorbing over a million tourists every year so I think we'll be OK for a while longer with immigrants.

Joe Gatt (on 5/7/08)

@ Matthew Caruana Galizia

If, as you say, people from countries like Egypt, Nigeria and Guinea qualify for refugee status, then effectively all Africans do.

Are you aware that according to the United Nations the population of Africa in 2007 was 962 million? Or that by 2030 it is conservatively projected to have increased to 1518 million, i.e. an increase of 556 million in only 23 years? Or that the population of the European Union is only 495 million?

Are you saying that you believe that all these people have a right to come to Europe, or to Malta for that matter? Does that not strike you as being just a little insane?

M Vella (on 5/7/08)

@ Matthew Caruana Galizia - IMHO they should all be sent back. And MCG if you think that Egyptians need to obtain a refugee status in Malta you need brushing up with reality.

James Abela (on 5/7/08)

Matthew,

So what if they are really from these countries but came to Malta from Libya?

Charles Alamango (on 5/7/08)

Can the relevant authorities please state what is the saturation amount of illegal immigrants Malta can absorb. It seems the supply queue is endless!!! My present work takes me to 'off the track' places all over the island, one can see these immigrants everywhere.....What will happen when we do reach our limit and cannot accept any more illegal immigrants??

Sandro Pace (on 5/7/08)

With some arguments below, anyone coming from Africa should automatically qualify for refugee or temporary status. It's not the case. Africa is no heaven, but that does not mean that it should be depleted and filling this side of the world in the process.

As the minister replied, most are here by being unco-operative, and not that they deserve to be here. Most other European countries, who have direct flights to most of the world, deport people even to stable parts of Somalia.

Generic statements does not make them qualify for status.

Andrew Scicluna (on 5/7/08)

@ Matthew Caruana Galizia: Being an expert in law, could you please explain how 70 miles south of our tiny island can be classified as 'off' Malta. Isn't 70 miles south of Malta Libyan territory?

L Galea (on 5/7/08)

So Matthew do you expect Malta to take all persons coming from all the trouble spots of the world?

Wake up and smell the coffee and come to the realization of the size of OUR island.

Joseph Calleja (on 5/7/08)

AND THEY KEEP ON COMING ! and coming and coming.

victor pulis (on 5/7/08)

since the authorities know where these new arrivals come from it shouldn't be a problem to repatriate them. More so,as Paul Bonnici rightly said the counties of origin are not experiencing any political turmoil that would qualify these illegal migrants as asylum seekers.

Matthew Caruana Galizia (on 5/7/08)

Paul Bonnici: Egypt has been under a state of emergency for the past 27 years; Nigeria is run by a government that persecutes its own people; Guinea is the 2nd most corrupt country in the world, and if I'm not mistaken, is still under martial law.

If that isn't political trouble, then I don't know what is.

charles debono (on 5/7/08)

The government has lost complete control over illegal immigration. I do not blame this crisis on the government or the labour opposition for both are puppets of Brussels. I blame it on the Maltese voter. We had an opportunity to stop this invasion during the last general election but the majority voted with their political sentiment not through their heads (lest God forbid our political rival should take the government). It’s too late now; actually it’s been too late for a number of years.
We are now exactly where the Italian Frattini recommended years ago. All rescued immigrants should be landed in Malta or Cyprus.

D. M. (on 5/7/08)

only the people from Egypt will be sent back. nigerians and guineans will apply for asylum even though most probably they will get rejection. they are allowed to apply for asylum as people could be persecuted in Nigeria and Guinea. Also the grounds for qualifying as a refugee are not only political, but there are the nationality, race, religion and particular social groups.

K. Camilleri (on 5/7/08)

Agree 100% with Mr. Bonnici! And apart from charging them for rescue and illegla immigration, they should be charged for re-patriation as well.

Paul Bonnici (on 5/7/08)

Nigeria, Guinea and Egypt - three countries which don't have any political trouble and therefore don't qualify for asylum. These illegal immigrants should be charged with illegal entry into Maltese territorial waters and charged for the rescue costs!

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Migrants rescued off Malta

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