UNHCR shocked by tragedy off Malta

Bernard J Schranz

Aug 30th 2008, 18:15

Let me be clear from the outset. I agree that Malta should be humane and help these poor people in their quest for freedom and a better life. It's what these circumstances dictate if one possesses a shred of humanity.

However we should separate issues! Any comments in defence of our country are not to be taken as an anti sentiment towards these people. We have our own problems and we definitely cannot continue supporting these people without a care in the world from the other countries that have themselves exploited these same people and their motherlands.

That is what I am against !!! The UN is made up of nations within Europe and beyond who have exploited these African countries for centuries. It is therefore the UN that should insist with the UNHCR that these same nations live up to their responsibilities and share the burden alongside us. If not, then the UNHCR is simply an accomplice to such tragedies and to the travesty of justice in Malta's regard.

L. Craig Johnstone would do well to action this as a priority before he speaks out next time

Raymond Sammut

Aug 30th 2008, 11:28

@ e-bonnici

The point you are making addresses only the demand for cheap labour at the European end (and similarly at the USA end) from a historical point of view. Under present conditions, this type of demand is no longer legal; that is, although businesses in Europe would still want to hire cheap labour, this activity is not endorsed (at least officially by law) by the respective states. For this reason, human traffickers are operating at the supply end, mainly in Libya. As a result, Malta is being caught in between, while some businesses in Malta are also copying those in Europe. It is for this reason that many object strongly to illegal immigration and speak out against the UNHCR who refuse to acknowledge the extreme difficulty that Malta is in.

Karl Abela

Aug 29th 2008, 21:39

@ e-bonnici

Yes you are more than right. But how about using technology which nowadays is compensating for lack of human resources? Thailand, for example, is implementing sensors all over the Indian Ocean to warn of Tsunamis. The idea is still far from perfect but if all those people who wish our country well put their technical brains together the idea can be enrichened. After all we only need to protect the southern part of the Maltese territorial waters as thats were the concern is.

e-bonnici

Aug 29th 2008, 15:44

@ Enzo Caruana

‘the United Nations and the European Union to put pressure on Libya to stop this shameful export of human beings who end up victims of the sea as we have seen in this latest tragedy.’

Reading few lines of immigrant’s movements you will know that, the trafficking of immigrants is a European industry. Not Libyan or African business.
Europe as we know it today, was re-built by workers from North African. This with systematically happening post WW11.

USA as we know it today was built by immigrants from Europe. This European migration to USA was due to religious conflicts in Europe, mainly by the Roman Catholic Church.

Mary Birncat

Aug 29th 2008, 15:42

a.cassa .... is like many others. When losing the point start pointing fingers at Libya....lol

a.cassar

Aug 29th 2008, 12:58

Mr. Jonstone we don't need you to lecture us on how to take care of these illegals. we have become experts through continuous practice. Now why don't you go to libya and tell gaddafi how to treat these people?

e-bonnici

Aug 29th 2008, 12:49

@Karl Abela
Thank you for the idea. imma, you are forgetting the most important elements: Human beings and resources. Do you know that if all the population of Malta plus, the tourists, plus the legal immigrants, plus the illegal immigrants could not surveillance our shores?

Corinne Vella

Aug 29th 2008, 12:08

A few notes ...

There are other countries in the world besides Malta. The UNHCR is not one of them.
The UNHCR's statement is not the only one it has ever issued. It is the only one reported in today's news.
The UNHCR does not focus solely on Malta, nor does it rule the world.
The UNHCR's remit is not to help citizens who are safe in their own homes, but those who are not safe, those who are not at home and those who are not in possession of citizenship because they have no state to belong to.
Psychological ill health is possible even in people who are physically healthy.
The trauma of immigrants' arrival in Malta is greater for the immigrants than for the Maltese.
Immigrants arrive by sea in all Mediteranean/European countries and not just in Malta.
In an international context, 'the problem' that whingers go on about is not how to make life easier for Maltese whingers but how to manage and cope with migration flows.

Gerard Mangion

Aug 29th 2008, 10:33

What Mr Johnstone of UNHCR stated about the tragedy of the 70 missing Illegal Migrants,

As if we Malta need to be advised what to do, with those who survived !!
UNHCR & ALL OF THE E.U , know's quite well how Malta deals with illegal migrants. We treat them well.
Mr Johnstone if you have any doubt, just come over here to the smallest island in the EU
and see for yourself.

Karl Abela

Aug 29th 2008, 09:44

The million dollar question here is ‘’What can we do in this situation?’’.

Its useless slamming down the UNHCR, pointing at the government; attacking the EU....WHAT are we going to do about it? Folks, stop pointing fingers at everyone. Us Maltese are just so good at shifting the blame on someone else. Instead we should be brainstorming and coming up with ideas.

1. Sending back the migrants home is inhumane. We are expected to take them in as soon as they cross the border.
2. Keeping all the migrants here is physically and financially impossible.
3. Sending all the migrants to other EU countries isn't a good idea as this would lead to even more migrants crossing over to Europe.

My idea: Do it the hard way like the Americans do on the borders to Mexico. Patrol the borderline of our territorial waters and intercept them before entering our seas. After all, the EU has got physical borders if it’s touching a non EU country with passport control and everything. Why can’t we have that? If necessary we should install detectors to help us intercept immigrants. I don’t know if its physically impossible out there, but hey its an idea.

Vanessa Bonnici

Aug 29th 2008, 09:21

This is a tragedy and one that keeps happening, these poor people risk their lives and those of their children to try and get to a better place, spare a thought as to how awful their lives must be if they're risking their lives to get to a better place. The problem is that although the UNHCR are 'shocked and saddened' they can't seem to be able to put their 'money where their mouth is' so to speak. We need help to help these people and countless others like them!

john rodger

Aug 29th 2008, 09:12

How sad it all is, any loss of life is sad.
The debate is interesting because it transcends political views.
Malta has been invaded before and probably will be again, you will survive without the un, unhcr and others.
Malta, I am afraid, is in for a long haul this time round.

Mark Galea

Aug 29th 2008, 09:09

What!? 78 persons on that dinghy in the picture? Try another!

Ms. M Bugeja

Aug 29th 2008, 08:55

Ok. The UNHCR is shocked..We Maltese are shocked everyday while hearing the news afraid that another boat loaded of migrants has come ashore. The UNHCR should help us with this enormous problem and not by submitting statements and expressing feelings! Everyone is sorry for the migrants and not for the citizens who will take the burden to support them! If the migrants have been traumatised, the Maltese are traumatised every summer with the arrival of illegal immigrants!! Paroli si, fatti no as they say!!

Joseph Caruana

Aug 29th 2008, 07:43

The 15-year old boy will be released from detention as per standard practice since he is under-age and hence considered to be a vulnerable person.

But I don't see why the other survivors should be released immediately. Nearly all the immigrants that land here are traumatised by what they go through. So what should we do, release them as soon as they land?

This is a classic case of the local UNHCR representative trying to pull a fast one on the authorities.

Enzo Caruana

Aug 28th 2008, 23:32

What is UNHCR doing to stop this shameful human trafficking at source? Everybody knows that Libya is the 'transhipment' base for Africans wanting to cross the Mediteranean and enter Italy, Malta, Spain or Greece. illegally. If UNHCR really and truly has the welfare of these asylum seekers at heart it should appeal to the United Nations and the European Union to put pressure on Libya to stop this shameful export of human beings who end up victims of the sea as we have seen in this latest tragedy.

We all remember the fine words and hollow promises before Mlata became a member of the EU . You shal not stand alone they told us. Your security is our concern too they said. And what have we got now? Illegal immigrants sailing in casually and unhindered in Xlendi Bay, Birzebbugia, the Sliema waterpolo pitch and wherever the wind blows them. Some fine security set ups we have! What if these boat people were armed and trained merceneries employed to stage a coup d'etat?

This problem shows how powerless and toothless our govenment is in its dealings with the EU and other international organisations. Dr Gonzi, Dr Tonio Borg do wake up

dbugeja

Aug 28th 2008, 23:06

Europe iis concerned about these illegal immigrants and the tragedy while Gaddaffi stands as if nothing happened

How about Europe imposing new sanctions on Libya?

DBUGEJA

Aug 28th 2008, 22:53

oh well the UNHCR is shocked by this tradegy and yet it tells Malta to give them medical help and to release from detention. but it doesnt lift a finger to help us right
Any thing else you want us to do UNHCR.?

John Portelli

Aug 28th 2008, 22:46

UNCHR is useless. Why not introduce something on Libya. Go after the problem Mr. Falzon not against the innocent maltese. This is not our problem. We didn't create it, so why do we have to deal with it. The world is too big. Little Malta, with only 122 sq miles can do very little.

VICTOR VELLA

Aug 28th 2008, 22:26

@ Eleni Muscat.
The good Arab tradition is to welcome strangers and feed them. clothe them and accomodate them.It is even in the Qoran.But you have to be able to afford it,for your information even the Qoran gives you the means of sending away the unwanted stranger in our midst.I am not asking for a jihad.On the contrary I am asking that these people wether Blacl Brown White or yellow be sent back to wher ethey came from.

VICTOR VELLA

Aug 28th 2008, 22:18

One other thing Mr Vella I havent read any Racism in the comments here, these people where lost at sea so they deserved to be saved no matter what, but once they are in good health they should not be treated diferently then other illegal imigrants.For your information our anger is not directed at coloured people but at illegal imigrants being of whatever colour .I do hope that should we have an influx of any people from any nation who are illegal imigrants off they go to the tent city.

e-bonnici

Aug 28th 2008, 22:17

ara how L Galea talks.

we are talking about dead peoples and still cant forget for a while the haetful sentiments

Quote of the day:
If racism were fire, and you just ignore it. It will die by itself

VICTOR VELLA

Aug 28th 2008, 22:14

@A.Vella, I think that a petition by the people to the EU Parlament in Brussels would draw much more attention to the problem. Alltough a member of the U N ,EU and Commonwealth MALTA is still s free state.

c gatt

Aug 28th 2008, 21:56

@L Galea
Please LGalea stop using the word 'us.' i for one would never wantto sit at the same table asy ou, let alone be associated with you. You are one very sad,sick puppy. I hope that in your hour of need you want find another of your ilk to help you or you'd really be out of luck. What a selfish ,hypocritical country this has become. we probably spend more money in a weekend of fireworks over santa marija then on our fellow humans in a year, and we want to sound self righteous!

Kevin Zammit

Aug 28th 2008, 21:26

UN ... UNHCR .... 1.8 billion dollars budget! Please people read 'shout at the devil' which is a blunt, matter of fact chronicle by the Canadian General who was in charge of the UN forces in Rwanda during the genocide.

The way thes buraucracies are run and managed is nothing but disgraceful. They serve little purpose more than to paper over super powers meddling in africa.

Malta is doing way more than it can handle and all we got so far is criticism!

... only solution i see is give them a passport passport that expires in a year and a boat!

A.Vella

Aug 28th 2008, 21:15

Don't you realise that L. Craig Johnstone, by giving these comments is giving exposure to the problem? Why on earth are you in rage with what he said?

I also agree that those rescued should be given special attention, due to the trauma they went through. I think the bishops, as spirtual leaders, should concentrate on how to solve this widespread racisim and hatred, governing most people. The way things are, concentrating their energies on solving this problem is by far more urgent than divorce.

Joe Boswell

Aug 28th 2008, 20:57

I'm surprised that the AFM rescue group hasn't received stick yet. Given the tiny SAR region and great number of air/sea resources, these poor souls should have been rescued in no time! It's interesting to highlight the tactics deployed by this criminal organisation.

Lately the technique involved 'dropping' off 'clients' at the nearest tuna pen. This is not wise - remote sensing equipment can track down the 'ferry'. So now, it's cheap, fragile dinghies which offer little chance of making a safe crossing from Libya to mainland Europe. Sad story indeed.

L Galea

Aug 28th 2008, 20:48

Stop criticizing us Mr Johnstone.
You have absolutely no right to dictate to us.
They came here illegally and they must be treated according to our laws.
If they don't like it too bad.
We didn't invite them here.
If you don't like it too bad.
Take them to your country and put your money where your mouth is.

john borg

Aug 28th 2008, 20:40

i suggest local authorities that such news of horrific stories will also be broadcasted on african satellite networks (allajbierek kullhadd ghandu barra ahna). this might deter future migrants or at least let them know that its not easy as 123.

Mark Aloisio

Aug 28th 2008, 20:38

You people who just go on and on (and on and on) with "ma rriduhomx, ma rriduhomx" - don't you ever get tired of yourselves?

Joseph Agius

Aug 28th 2008, 20:34

So the UNHCR are shocked by tragedy!!! so what were they doing when all Malta has been shocked these past years!!!!...have they tried to speak to Ghaddafi or did they even move a finger to help Malta solve the problem? They are only a bunch of armchair critics!

DFrendo

Aug 28th 2008, 20:33

Maybe L. Johnstone can come to Malta and help us out in this problem we maltese citizens have to face and allocate different types of resources to the authorities!.......being sorry and shocked isn't enough.

Andrew Gatt

Aug 28th 2008, 20:33

UNHCR, how about some timely, substantial and meaningful aid? We are being flooded with ILLEGAL immigrants and we DO NOT have the resources to cope. People are either dying at sea or being crammed into detention and open centres that are rapidly becoming ghettos.

Gerroff your butts and do something then. WE certainly cannot do much more and the whole EU barring 4 countries couldn't care less.

Joseph E Briffa

Aug 28th 2008, 20:30

I am sorry to have to say that these comments show how insular most of the Maltese are. UNHCR is a UN organisation and does its best for refugees and has nothing to do with the EU. Secondly the tragedy was reported on RAI. as well . Thirdly, we are sounding very much like the Chinese telling UN agencies not to interfere in our affairs. For one thing this tragedy is not an internal affair, and for another we shouldn't take any offence at UN agencies advising us what to do. Let's not forget that Malta is just a piece of rock about which a very tiny percentage of the world population has ever heard. We should thank our lucky stars that we have a vote at the UN like USA Russia Germany Great Britain China India despite our population: even less that of Catania. So let's not get too big for our shoes or we risk becoming a laughing stock. Malta is quite wealthy and has the means to help these poor people. It's the first time in our history that we are donors rather than recipients of aid; so let's stop grumbling and behaving like spoiled brats.

Eleni Muscat

Aug 28th 2008, 20:10

@victor vella
Until recently, by good Arab tradition, Malta has squeezed out every single human being that
happened to land on its shores. What's so bad about being a bit 'Christian' for once?

Doreen Camilleri

Aug 28th 2008, 20:09

it has nothing to do with feeling bad about the lost lives...!of
course we all do..and it seems that it's just us that do! it seems to
have become our problem alone! it's easy to just point fingers and not
lift any of them. what is everybody else doing? & how long can this go
on? at this rate i hate to think what kind of 'Malta' we are leaving
for our children....something needs to be done.

a.cassar

Aug 28th 2008, 20:05

I UNHCR REPRESENTED IN LIBYA? IF SO DARE THEY SPEAK TO GADDAFI THE WAY THEY SPEAK TO US? I DOUBT IT.

J.M. Chapelle

Aug 28th 2008, 20:01

Such a farce! we have a name for the rest of the world and the way it is behaving:

ARMCHAIR CRITIC

Allow me to define it: one who criticises heavily and yet does absolutely nothing to help.

Now watch me glue it to UNHCR and the rest of the world powers who have the capacity to root out the problem of illegal immigration and stop it once and for all (which yes, is possible).

Pin the tail on the donkey!

Noel Miceli

Aug 28th 2008, 19:53

The poor guys at UNHCR are shocked! I mean Surprise! Surprise! It's not like they had no idea these tragedies are just waiting to happen.

Wake up and smell the coffee UNHCR and like Joe Morana said, stop picking on little Malta whose people are doing much more than their share.

Joanne Micallef

Aug 28th 2008, 19:36

Doesn't the United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees, L. Craig Johnstone know that we ALWAYS give all the medical care necessary to ALL illegal immigrants??

Edward Darmanin

Aug 28th 2008, 19:35

Look how much europe cares! Not a mention of this tragedy in the media (except for BBC news). And we expect them to help us? Forget it. Now I'm a pro European but this issue stinks. If they don't care to help us then they get off our backs.

d fenech

Aug 28th 2008, 19:31

@ A Muscat
"chickens talks"

Is this some new nonsensical language?

R Spiteri

Aug 28th 2008, 19:24

Help these countries to civilize, rather than be shocked by tragedies.As if you don`t know what`s going on!

C. Borg

Aug 28th 2008, 19:19

So what was the mix up? first they said 10 migrants were missing and then they said 70??

Can that dinghy actually take 78 people onboard??

Whilst loss of any human life is a tradegy, I can't help but feel sceptical in view of the inconsistencies of this story.

A. Muscat

Aug 28th 2008, 19:16

@ D fenech
Talk is cheap!
And talking nonsense is cheaper


@Simon Attard
Most of the comments are just hateful.

@ Mark Rizzo

Please note that, some peoples turn serious human beings tragedies to chickens talks

D.Galea

Aug 28th 2008, 19:14

A real tragedy has happened out there with the probable loss of life of 70 persons, it cannot be any less, 70 desperate people who with the knowledge of the risks involved or a number of them have still chosen to risk it all to cross to the E.U. This only shows the huge fallacy with the E.U. on acting properly on the matter & if the U.N.H.C.R is to be shocked on something, that should be the E.U. as a whole...Yes Malta is doing her part & much more, it's such comments that serve only to keep alienating this country so desperate to receive proper assistance from some of the giants on the E.U. who instead choose to look comfortably down on us. I should think that U.N.H.C.R is stationed in Italy as well...why no mention of Italy?

tony caruana

Aug 28th 2008, 19:14

InsteAd of just talking the INHCR should

DO SOMETHING !!!!

WE HAD HAD ENOUGH !!

D Fenech

Aug 28th 2008, 19:13

@ Simon Attard/ Alexandra Betts

Please do not talk/write "rubbish"!
Pardon me for not being able to find a better adjective!
Who said that the Maltese people taking a stand on this issue do not care about these immigrants and the tragedies that the responsible bodies are pushing them into?
It is precisely because we care that we take a stand!
Saying jahasra! Alone will not get them out of their plight!
Patronizing attitudes do more harm to them than good.

Mark Rizzo

Aug 28th 2008, 19:12

There is no such thing as a free lunch, and with wealth comes responsibility.
Malta has the grace of a relatively peaceful and wealthy society, and with this comes our responsibility to our brothers and sisters.
Charity begins at home, but must not end at home.

Franco Farrugia

Aug 28th 2008, 19:00

The UNHCR has no right to interfere with Maltese law.

Raphael Vassallo

Aug 28th 2008, 18:51

Louise Vella, may I suggest you look up the meaning of the word "deficit" in a dictionary? The figures you quoted only show that the UNHCR does not have as much money as it needs (hence the call for donations). What you are suggesting, on the other hand, is that the organisation spends more money than it actually has. Hardly the same thing, now is it?

Simon Attard

Aug 28th 2008, 18:44

The fact that 70 humans died tragically doesn't seem to concern the correspondents below. No pity,no sympathy,no nothing. How sad is that!

louise vella

Aug 28th 2008, 18:44

1. The Depasquale Report on the incidents at Hal Safi says that the day after UNHCR representative Michele Manca de Nissa went to address the detainees and Maltese Refugee Commisssioner Charles Buttigieg was alarmed at the incendiary language used by Manca de Nissa in those delicate circumstances. UNHCR has never explained or apologised for Manca de Nissa's behaviour.

2. Former foreign minister Michael Frendo said in Parliament that the Finnish government had been prepared at one stage to take 400 of our refugees. the deal fell through when UNHCR did not agree to let Finland count the 400 in the agreed quota for refugees.

Can UNHCR please stop harrassing Malta?

alexandra betts

Aug 28th 2008, 18:40

Mr Enriquez, peolpe are dying out there and all you can say is 'when will an international agency get shocked or at least show some degree of concern at our current influx of illegal immigrants?'.
Yes we do have a problem but it somehow pales into insignificance when you think of what these people are going through. I am not saying that we shouldn't demand international support, but is it possible that we are so taken up by our problems that we cannot even feel the slightest bit of compassion for these people?

D fenech

Aug 28th 2008, 18:34

"expressed shock" "deeply saddened"!
Malta and its citizens have been shocked and saddened ever since this exodus began hitting our small shores!
What you people in Geneva need to do is stop preaching and posing and telling others what to do!
Talk is cheap!

Joseph Caruana

Aug 28th 2008, 18:33

Since the United Nations itself in the recent Georgia crisis has once again proven that is little more than a global talking shop, we can all expect this appeal by Mr. Johnstone to fall on deaf ears.

victor vella

Aug 28th 2008, 18:33

Sooooooooooo now we have the UNHCR on our backs too, ok who else wants a free ride. ara veru morna il bahar ta,every tom dick and harry is telling us what to do and no one lifts a finger to help us out.Can we hear an official answer to this statement? I should think that they should be sent home like good little boys and allowed to grieve with thier families.
Has Mr L Craig Johnstone ever drove through Marsa or Hal far ?

J. Marshall

Aug 28th 2008, 18:16

Instead of talking and feeling sorry why doesn't the UNHCR and all the powers that be, start doing something, so that tragedies like this, and the influx of illegal emigrants to our islands can be prevented or controlled once and for all.

N. Enriquez

Aug 28th 2008, 18:11

When will an international agency get shocked or at least show some degree of concern at our current influx of illegal immigrants?

louise vella

Aug 28th 2008, 18:11

The following is from www.unhcr.org:

Funds Available: US$ 1,383 million
Requirements: US$ 1,750 million.

So UNHCR has a deficit of US$ 367 million

a.cassar

Aug 28th 2008, 18:07

," Mr Johnstone said in statement in Geneva. "This terrible loss of life highlights the urgent need for a concerted international effort aimed at addressing the root causes of migration and at offering international protection to those in need."
Mr. Johnson, Malta is already doing everything possible to help these people. Now it's up to the other countries of the EU to get off their collective butts and start helping MALTA.

louise vella

Aug 28th 2008, 17:49

But what exactly is UNHCR? Here is some info I got from persons who know.

“The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), known as the UN Refugee Agency, is the Cindirella of UN agencies. Its budget comes mostly from voluntary donations, rather than obligatory contributions by UN Member States. UNHCR’s website (www.unhcr.org) says: ‘DONATE NOW - … the UN refugee agency relies on voluntary contributions for 96.5 % of its income. The 3.5 % of funding from the UN is spent entirely on administration.’ As its finances are shaky, UNHCR functions like an NGO and is the least stable and well-regarded of UN agencies. Its staff members have short-term contracts as UNHCR could not pay salaries if donations dry up.”