Saturday, 24th January 2009
UN experts lambast detention policy
Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
Malta's detention policy for irregular immigrants was heavily criticised by a United Nations working group that described the conditions at Safi and Lyster barracks as appalling and detrimental to the immigrants' health.
The UN Working Group on Arbitary Detention yesterday presented its preliminary findings after a five-day trip that included visits to the detention centres, Corradino Correctional Facilities and meetings with the government.
Rapporteur Manuela Carmena Castrillo said Malta's detention policy raised concerns about the immigrants' detention in an irregular situation, adding that it was not in line with international human rights law.
"We have met an eight-year-old boy, who should not have been detained at all, and a Somali man, suffering from HIV and chicken pox vegetating in a cell in complete isolation, who should rather be in hospital," she said.
The group immediately informed the authorities of the two particular cases and the boy was removed from the closed centres. While praising the government for its prompt action, Ms Castrillo said she hoped that even the Somali will be taken care of.
Malta's automatic detention policy for immigrants which may last up to 18 months "under appalling conditions at the closed centres of Safi and Lyster barracks" was also harshly criticised.
The conditions at the two centres are appalling to the extent that their health, including mental health, is affecting their ability to understand their rights and follow the legal proceedings. The sub-standard closed centres of Safi and Lyster barracks are over-crowded and people living in the tents in Hal Far should not even stay there one day, let alone for months, said Ms Castrillo.
"People who have committed a crime have decent conditions of life in a prison cell at Corradino but irregular immigrants have to live in those conditions," she said.
Ms Castrillo questioned the detention policy which, according to the Maltese immigration law, is resorted to in order to be able to deport individuals from Malta. However, only 2,000 immigrants out of 12,000 were deported since March 2002. This prompts the working group to conclude that detention is used as a deterrent and as a sanction, noted Ms Castrillo.
The processing of asylum applications takes too long, with immigrants still waiting to be interviewed six months after their arrival, she said.
The group also lashed out at Malta's "fast-track" system for vulnerable people, which might take up to three months to release them into open centres.
While admitting that the immigration problem is too large for Malta to tackle alone, Ms Castrillo said the government can and should do more to improve conditions.
The group visited other detention centres such as Corradino Correctional Facility, prison cells at the Police General Headquarters and the closed wards at Mount Carmel Hospital and expressed concern over the long periods of time people awaiting trial spend in prison. More than 50 per cent of the prisoners in Malta are pre-trial detainees, which is a comparably high rate, she said.
The group expressed concern at the high concentration of powers and bodies under the Justice and Home Affairs Ministry. The ministry's wide-ranging portfolio includes the police, correctional services, detention service, the refugees' commission and also receives reports from the prison visitors' board and the Permanent Commission Against Corruption, among others.
Such an accumulation of powers may lead to a perception of lack of transparency and of control within the system of administration of justice, said Ms Castrillo.
Group vice-chairman Malick Sow called on the government to introduce a parole system and criticised its absence in the country's judicial system.
The lack of accessibility to a defence lawyer for people kept in police custody after they are arrested on suspicion of committing a criminal offence was another point of concern. "The absence of a lawyer during this crucial period is a significant blemish on the system," he said.
While praising the maximum period of 48 hours in police custody, the group noted that this was sometimes exceeded. In fact, Mr Sow said they met a man who was kept in police custody for five days.
The group described its various meetings with the authorities as positive and receptive. It will draw up its final report and present it during its 54th working session in Geneva this May.
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Comments
Why can't they be trusted?
All they are doing is trying to make a better life for themselves and their families by fleeing poverty or persecution. I think the least we can do is show some humanity towards them.
Human trafficking and illegal immigration are not "international standards of behavior". You do not enter a country illegally or without passing a medical examination.
Who, in Malta, will now attend to an illegal immigrant suffering from HIV and chicken pox? Are you prepared to volunteer before you lecture us on "international standards of behavior" or accusing us that we "would do the same"?
If Malta were adjacent to Somalia, it would be a totally different story. But Malta is nowhere near to Somalia, let alone Malta being a very tiny place far more vulnerable to infectious diseases than any other country.
After the UN experts have done their bit with the government -- forcing the Maltese government to "explain" -- and the weather starts to calm down, we start again to see the boats coming in. Now 30, now 120, now even 200, then back to 30, and so on.
Then come the June elections, and there will be a lull in the boat arrivals.
The pattern keeps repeating, all happening very gradually as time moves on.
Diversity in the making, with traffickers having the better of the illegal immigration fraud at the expense of the Maltese government.
“ .. whats wrong with letting them out of the centre and mingle with the general public? Are you afraid of their skin colour? “
The skin colour has absolutely nothing to do with it. People arrogant enough to enter a country illegally just cannot be trusted to “mingle with the general public” whatever their reason for leaving their own country might be and whatever the skin colour or the religion they profess to follow.
Excellent idea .... a referendum on a group of people who can't defend themselves.
Majority rule can be described as a characteristic feature of democracy, but without responsible government it is possible for the rights of a minority to be abused by the "tyranny of the majority".
The Dixiecrat party in the US would be proud of you.
What makes you think they destroy their papers, other than you say they do?
What happens if they never get them in the first place? How are people in Somalia expected to get papers when they don't even have a government? Surprisingly people who flee persecution don't automatically pick up all their documents while they are being hounded out of their village (Dafar anyone... ).
I'll also remind you that even well-known people have difficulty getting papers from Governments they disagree with:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article4981676.ece
Also I don't have an interest in them to continue to come. However if they do arrive, I prefer them to be treated in a dignified and humane manner.
You still never answered my question .. whats wrong with letting them out of the centre and mingle with the general public? Are you afraid of their skin colour?
Why do they destroy their papers?
Do you have in interest in the ILLEGAL immigrants to keep coming?
Shame on you and your ilk for defending ILLEGALS instead of Maltese citizens and MAlta.
Shame and Shame again.
Actually you didn't answer my question?
Your answer (if you can call it that) was "No they should not mingle with us. They are here ILLEGALLY and must be expelled."
Still doesn't explain why you don't want them to mingle. Are you afraid of their skin colour?
Also your comment of " .. can you guarantee that they are not murderers and terrorists when they arrive with no documentation?"
Just because they come from Africa they must be murderers and terrorists!!! How did you come up with this startling piece of fact? Love to see the evidence behind this one.
Malta can change international law by refusing to abide by it.
No state is forced to accept anything which is causing it harm, and the illegal immigrants invasion is causing us untold harm. An invasion of whatever nature calls for unconventional measures to repel the invaders.
Come summer they should be put on safe boats, towed to just outside Libyan territorial waters, given just enough fuel and ordered to steer towards the Libyan coast. That should send the message home.
In case not many of you noticed, a large number of illegals are Christian, not Muslim. That's a great misconception.
Any one of us faced with the same circumstances that these people face would do the same and we have used emigration a state policy for over a century. If we did not have the means of legal migration we would all be there in boats like these poor souls try and do. We have enriched other countries societies by moving to other countries and given half a chance these people could work and contribute to Malta. Compassion and respect for international law are not incompatible with demands for burden sharing, financial support and international action. Whatever happened to Christianity in Malta ?
remain in Sidney,Melbourne & so on. = Of course immigrants in the UK "tend" to stay
in London,Liverpool & so on = Of course immigrants in Italy , France & so on "tend" to do
likewise. Of course ( immigrants ? ) in Malta tend to remain in the " big " cities......Valletta,
Sliema,Hamrun & so on......Have I amused you a bit more ?
James Debono had an article a few months ago in Malta today based on studies done by the JRS. But wait, you probably believ that Malta Today and the JRS are pawns in the UN-sponsored plan to get rid of the Maltese people and hand their country over to African immigrants.
I've got my facts straight. THe link you gave me states exactly what I said - no signing of Geneva convention.
The fact that UNHCR are trying to do a good job there doesn't really changes much. Libyan authorities disregard completely human rights (remember the 5 Bulgarian nurses and Palestinian doctor amongst other things). It is a dictatorship and UNHCR doesn't have any substantial power there.
I've also worked with migrants, and yes, some (sfaccatament) told me they came here for a better life.
However I met a lot of other migrants with very valid reason for seeking political asylum and humanitarian protection.
THe difference between the two is not as you say, a question of whether on appeal or not. Political refugees are the ones looked after from either government or rebel groups for 'sins' such as exercising their freedom of speech and refusing to join barbarous militant groups.
Humanitarian protection is given to those that do not face actual prosecution but live in places marred by war, remains of landmines and clusterbombs, or even complete anarchy. The period of one year is because if the situaton changes it will be revoked
Can Malta's size be increased?
Why don't you publish the statistics that you referred to?
And don't you know the saying that there are lies, damned lies and statistics?
These funds come from our TAXES and the €153,400 that the government is sending to the eu apart from all customs duties, levies etc and part of VAT.
We are all those who write against this illegal immigrats invasion and the 87% which according to the eu survey are very concerned with the matter.
Vigilantes have to be caught first.
"...As I have no doubt that you are surely not that well-schooled. "
That's what you think John.
Those who have reality and the truth staring them in their face and yet deny it are acting like the three monkeys.
Lawrence Martinelli
You are right.
Robert Scullion
Robert, can you guarantee that they are not murderers and terrorists when they arrive with no documentation? And I answered you first time.
Not really answered .. considering you still haven't explained why you feel they shouldn't mingle with the population.
Also considering the people from Somalia, which doesn't have a functioning Government for almost 20 years, its unlikely that they will have any documents in the first place.
Sounds just like a vague excuse to support the detention of people who just happen to have a different coloured skin.
Since 2003 The EU had meetings with the Colonel with the scope of helping his administration to solve this problem within the spirit of international cooperation. But Libya’s only intention is to get rid of the illegal population crowding its Land. While it insists that the African countries must accept the return of the illegal immigrant it manifestly ignores the same request from other counties.
So the facts are that the main stumbling block is our dear friend the Colonel and the migration originated well before we become EU members. This phenomenon is posing several problems in the security health and economical aspect of our Island.
It will be naive and dangerous to accept a total stranger in your house so until these people are positively identified they have to remain in custody. After all most of them already knew what to expect from their friends who arrived before them!
That's a subject of debate and confusion. We often hear what “the UN” says or thinks. It turns out to be UNHCR, a UN agency supposed to care for refugees but trying to expand its mandate to illegal immigrants. It is financed 3.5% by the United Nations and 96.5% by voluntary contributions and donations. You can donate online even small sums of $50.
Is UNHCR the UN? It certainly has a hostile agenda. Read the Depasquale Report. You will see the role of then UNHCR representative Michele Manca de Nissa during the Hal Safi riots. See the press intervention of the current “head of office” (and not representative) of UNHCR in Malta, who gives himself the airs of a Kofi Annan or Ban Ki Moon. He has been running a campaign which certainly cannot be called favourble to Malta.
Now we get this UN group, said unconvincingly to have been invited by the government. It is made of 5 people of whom 4 come from countries which have no lessons to give Malta on human rights.
Does the UN have a hostile agenda against Malta?
Translate that how you like.
The only safety valve we have is them somehow leaving to the mainland, breaking the Dublin II. (I have no problem with that). However, there is no guarantee that this can continue.
International laws are not cast in stone. But unlike domestic laws, Malta cannot change them even with this rampant abuse. Cause they suit well to other uneffected countries. Yet if the situation continue, it cannot continue abiding by them.
We are not talking of a few tens. In this situation arbitrary deportation will not make Malta a pariah state. But other 'uneffected' countries can think what they like.
The Italians, in principle, are trying to block them from the Libyan ports, and only the go-ahead from Gaddafi is holding them, and not international laws. If illegal immigration is a problem to Italy...
http://www.unhcr.org/news/NEWS/486e48534.html
As for your second comment - "Also, how do you know they are 'fake asylum seekers' It's the refugee commission that decides, according to the law not you, and about 3% qualify as political refugees (renewed every three years) while nearly 50% have temporary humanitarian protection (possibly renewed on a yearly basis)"
Try to work with them and you will know who is genuine or not. I know because I did work in detention centres where I was responsible for the Ta' Kandja and Floriana Detention Centres. As for the low percentage you are quoting only confirms that they are fake asylum seekers and it is not I who decide but as you said the Commission. Secondly, the humanitarian status is given to those who had lost their appeal while applying for the refugee status. This was introduced because of pressure from the EU as before they were interned for a longer period without anyone knowing what to do with them. The rest is history...
Is the lack of help by our neighbours on both sides due to the fact that they have cast an eye on the vast search and rescue area which Malta administers and want to prove the point that our size does not allow us to cope with the consequences of having such a large area under our jurisdiction.
For let us admit it having such a large area under your control for a large country is only one step away to controlling the resources within it or underneath it.
I would be interested to know whether others share my concern or whether it is just a conspiracy theory fantasy on my part.
On the other hand, statistical evidence and common sense show that only a fraction of the total number of immigrants who have arrived in Malta in the past 10 years actually remain here.
Before any comments are wasted on your presumption: Can you publish the percentage of the illegals who landed here and have gone?
We need:
1) Quantity arriving in the past 10 years
2) Quantity repatriated and/or moved on to other EU countries
3) Quantity who have voluntarily returned to where they came from
4) Quantity who disappeared in thin air
Only after you answer these categorical questions will you be taken seriously.
On a more serious note, your argument of comparing migrant arrivals to territorial area is not in fact all that useful. Most immigrants who arrive in, say, Australia do not spread out across that continent but tend to concentrate in the major cities and their suburbs. Likewise immigrants to Italy have little desire to settle in the mountains of Calabria (where there is lots of empty space) but instead prefer to go to Palermo, Rome, Milan, Turin - where they can find jobs, housing and so on. Therefore it is not necessarily a realistic depiction when you say that Malta has a larger problem than Italy just because we are a country with a smaller territorial area.
John I do not believe that the majority of the Maltese people including a large number of commentators on this blog are intolerant or racist. We are feeling very much scared, threatened and intimidated now with this illegal invasion with both the PN and PL turning a blind eye to it.
John you are entitled to your opinion of course but I rest my case now and retire for the day. I need some rest.
With all due respect, but I don't think these people are in a position to criticise Malta for its treatment of illegals. Malta gives illegals a lot of benefits, some of which aren't even accessible to needy Maltese citizens.
Firstly, show us the money or better still move them elsewhere to your countries or theirs, because Malta is small and poor and has too many problems already even without these illegals.
Spain, Senegal, Pakistan, Russia and Chile?
Senegal - Probably a country of origin of illegals that wouldn't take them back. Another Libya that doesn't care.
Pakistan - Been there. What a rubbish hole. I wouldn't even comment on human rights there.
Russia - Life is miserable there for the average citizen thanks to their oligarchs.
Illegals in Malta have it better that ordinary citizens in all 3 countries.
Chile - There are people still to be compensated for the grave atrocities committed under dictator Pinochet. It makes any shortcomings in our provisions for illegals truly negligible.
Spain - The PACT OF SILENCE AND FORGETTING about the civil war, Franco, Guernica?!!! I've witnessed miserable treatment of illegals, poor Latin immigrants, and even workers from other EU countries in Spain.
in Malta last year - If that is the right figure = compares to 300,00 odd landing in Italy , France
or the UK. (population wise). Did they get that amount ?
Even if they did ( doubtful) try to figure the land size of the above countries to Malta's.
How dare the Bruxelles' or the U.N. come and
< lecture > Malta ? It's about time the < joke > - KAPUT - FINITO - ENDS !!!!.
Each one of us has his or her own more limited circle, but the people’s growing worry about the problem of illegal immigration is palpable. If in doubt, just listen to the radio on the rare occasions that common people are allowed to express their views on the subject.
Is that why the persons and NGOs lobbying in favour of illegal immigrants have never proposed a referendum on the subject? Or at least an opinion poll? Or a public consultation process?
The PN and the PL have been running away from the problem. Maybe they think that, by pretending it does not exist and downplaying its seriousness, they can limit the electoral damage to each other. You can control an ever growing pressure, but only for so long.
First of all Louise Vella is feeling threatened like the majority of us with this illegal invasion. We cannot create a fortress Malta, that I understand. However uncontrolled illegal immigration is a serious threat to the national security and creates severe social tensions. Uncontrolled or illegal immigration put strain on health system, education and also create fierce competition for jobs. I am only talking about illegal immigration here and no the legal one. The type of immigration Malta is currently experiencing is an illegal one and also uncontrolled. As Louise Vella rightly said if we are talking about 100 illegal immigrants who would have landed last year then we would not be so alarmed.
Yes illegal immigration harms the society of the recipient country. An example attending to the HIV clinic and it is heaving with illegas who do not even have a right to reside in the recipient country let alone receive free HIV medical treatment. How does that make me feel????? I don't want to receive sub standard treatment because the doctors are running like headless chickens to treat the illegals. Rough Justice indeed!!!!!!!
Those who write to criticise illegal immigration are not racist, they perceive the problem and they write to show that illegal immigrants arriving in Malta is a population problem, not racist.
Illegal immigrants from whatever part of the world create a population problem.
Mr. Camilleri, how would you solve the problem of over population so that Maltese are not seen as racist. or called so. The problem will be for Maltese children of the recent future probably not ours adults of to-day.
You may also wish to consider that human rights issues should not be (and are not) left to the whims of public opinion, on-line polls and comments and such things. That is why neither Malta nor Italy nor any other EU country will not resort to arbitrary deportation of irregular immigrants. I am very interested to hear from you or anyone else how exactly these immigrants are causing such great harm to Maltese society that our leaders would be justified in turning our country into an international pariah.
If last year we had received 100 illegal immigrants, whatever their shape or colour, nobody would be worried. We are worried for our country, for our children and ourselves because last year we had 2775 illegal immigrants in a small country of our size, and because the numbers have been growing from year to year.
We are worried because we see no end to the problem. We are angry because the government we elected is hiding its head in the sand and refusing to listen to the people's concerns.
We are suspicious of the people who govern, or aspire to govern, because they seem to prefer to speak about almost any subject except illegal immigration. When did the PN or the PL propose setting up a focus groups on ilegal immigration? When did Gonzi propose starting a public consultation process about illegal immigrants?
"Malick Sow comes from Senegal. Malta's judicial system is at least 10 times better than that of Senegal. Charity begins at home, Mr Sow. You should start by improving the judicial system in your country."
Perhaps if you read a little about Malick Sow you would realise that he is fairly well qualified in legal matters.
http://www.icc-cpi.int/library/asp/ICC-ASP-EJ2009-SN-CV-ENG.pdf
This will give a little of his various publications and work experience.
Also perhaps he mentions the failings of the Maltese system to ensure that the country doesn't descend into the type of situation that he has experienced in his work in Africa.
He also mentioned that the "... lack of accessibility to a defence lawyer for people kept in police custody after they are arrested on suspicion of committing a criminal offence was another point of concern."
I can't speak for yourself Louise Vella (or would want too after reading some of what you've written here) but surely this is a valid point ... or do you like living in a country where access to lawyers can be restricted?
I will give you the answer to your question because I can tell you cant wait. Until the authorities establish where these illegal immigrants are coming from and also ensure that they are no threat to public society they need to stay in detention centres and NOT mingle with the rest of the population. Yes by all means those who are granted asylum or are legal/regular immigrants can mingle-nobody is stopping them. Remember Robert that almost all these illegals come here undocumented and you simply cannot let these people roam our streets without first establishing who they are or if they are entitled to stay in Malta. This process is long because often these illegals do not cooperate with the authorities. I hope I answered your question Robert.
Apart from public order, there is a deterrent element, not much directly related with the immigrants' will. Traffickers know that Malta is unpopular with immigrants due to detention, and they do their utmost to avoid landing them here. Cause it will not be in their 'business' interest to get a bad name with 'future customers'.
Remove this deterrent, and we will start seeing triple arrivals. We should not shy about this reason. A detention policy should only be abolished when immigrants have total freedom of movement within the EU. Not a day before.
How did Malta ever come to this?
Igalea: pardon me, I should have put the word lawyer in inverted commas, as I have no doubt that you are surely not that well-schooled. As far as I know, if one of your so-called "vigilantes" shoots an irregular immigrant in the United States, that "vigilante" is prosecuted for manslaughter or murder. If you have proof that shows otherwise I will be pleased to hear about it. Irregular immigrants in the United States are afforded all rights commensurate with their status. This is what all civilized states do and that is what the Maltese government is doing and will continue to do, whether there is a Nationalist or Labour administration. On the other hand, if you prefer to live in a country that does not respect human rights and international obligations, you are welcome to do so.
Malick Sow comes from Senegal. Malta's judicial system is at least 10 times better than that of Senegal. Charity begins at home, Mr Sow. You should start by improving the judicial system in your country.
'no need to answer again' .. shame you didn't answer the first time.
What is wrong with letting them out of the centres and mingle with the population? Are you afraid that people might realise they are also human?
Who said I am a lawyer?
There is no need to be a lawyer to understand things and to see reality when it stares you in the face. The only obligation is to repatriate them forthwith on the same ship or aircraft as is done to all those who arrive in a country without any identification papers. They are simply economic migrants who have been living in Libya or Tunisia for years and nothing more. How come you direct your criticism to Maltese citizens who are defending their country from this massive illegal immigrants invasion and not criticizing Libya and Tunisia?
How about criticizing the USA where they even have citizens vigilantes who shoot anyone trying to cross the border?
And are you now denying that the illegal immigrats invasion exploded upon becoming eu members? AT least you agree that we are prostituting our country up north.
Andrew Camilleri
Neither can I and others who are defending their country Andrew.
Robert Scullion
No need to answer you again scullion. Ask any person any you will get your answer despite trying to hide your head in the sand like an octrich.
We cannot possibly look after so many of them properly! Instead of criticising Malta, the UN Working Group should lambast the other EU countries for not sharing the burden with the smallest member state.
It is now evident that no more illegal immigrants should be brought to Malta and any future boatloads of people rescued at sea in Malta's massive SAR area, should be taken to one of the larger EU countries to have their claims for asylum processed there.
This is what the UN should be lobbying for. Shortening the detention period is not the solution - it should be extended to indefinate detention until the immigrant cooperates with the authorities. If they are found to be eligible for refugee status, that should be granted. If not, they should be deported immediately.
The government must start act quickly on this before it is too late. There is no current issue more important than this one.
@Igalea: I can't take any more of your nonsense.
with all due respect, how did you "vote accordingly"? By voting for somebody who wanted us out on our own, no matter what? Do you really think that if we were not in the EU, the boats wouldn't have arrived? Some may have not, but most are here by mistake. We are stupid if we are going to treat this issue as intkom jew huma. We are in this together. If this nation of blinkered majority would for once unite and speak up, our MP's would have no choice other than to listen or face the consequences when the time comes. Then again, with your reasoning, our friends the Libyans may have accepted to take them all back as Libya is the place where they are all leaving from. They might have even sent over a few gunboats to see that all is well, as has happened in the past, just to remind us of their presence. Italy have yet managed to buy them out with the promised billions, so how do really expect that we ever could? As we did in the past maybe? Prostitute our country down south, instead of up north? You tell me.
The UN group said in a previous press release that they would be meeting Maltese NGOs. Which NGOs did it meet? Can they come out of the woodwork?
UNHCR is in Malta on sufferance and should not be the leader of an anti-Maltese campaign trying to paint the Maltese in the darkest colours.
Again, galea you are being hysterical. We got the point that you do not like immigrants, you do not need to cap size every single word.
However, you seem to ignore the simple fact that for repatriation to happen you need the other country to take them back. Which as already repeated, with countries such as Egypt and Tunisia is possible because an agreement is possible. Get so far?
With other countries, such as Somalia, it is more difficult. Even, if that was possible, which is very unlikely, sending them to Somalia or Eritrea is like giving them a death sentence. Get it?
It is not even possible to send them to Libya, either. You see, we are speaking about humans and not of a box of soft drinks.
The EU will take some of them, but of course not all, and it is called burden sharing so we might take theirs. Get it?
Right-wing supporters apart from screaming REPATRIATION are not able to offer much more. Quite a bore.
Yes you are right about the PL being so silent on this national crisis. I personally emailed Joseph Muscat a while ago and he assured me that his party would engage heavily in tackling this issue. The PL made it clear that they would not support the GonziPN government if they were to sign the immigration burden sharing farce. What have they done so far: NOTHING! However Louise as you rightly say the buck stops with Gonzi, he is in government right now and it is his obligation to protect the national interest.
As to HIV: A number of my friends are HIV positive and we can barely treat our own people let alone extend treatment (which is under severe strain already) to the millions in Africa. If we were to do so our health system would collapse. That is what I call ROUGH JUSTICE then!!!
Malts is not in recession ... whatever you think. Statistics show that, if you can't understand that then how can anyone actually believe your other statements.
Also you still haven't answered the question .. What is wrong with letting them out of the centres and mingle with the population? Are you afraid that people might realise they are also human?
Sandro Pace
You are right. No country is obliged to carry out any obligation to its own or its population detriment. International Law is changed by States NOT observing it.
Anthony Formosa
There is NO way we will allow them to integrate with us.
rene joseph, Andrew Cassar
Yes, prisoners have their rights but they are in their own country or they were imprisoned because they did something wrong. They have been in Libya and Tunisia for years and should have stayed there and claimed asylum there. The illegal immigrants came here ILLEGALLY. They deserve nothing else except to be kept in detention until they are repatriated. This is OUR country not theirs.
Chris Borg
They should have found mercy in Libya and Tunisia where they have lived for years.
We have our own problems and do not need the illegal immigrants to exacerbate them.
There are times when criticism is useful - again, think laterally.
This report is excellent news for Malta - the group will make their report and it will show that Malta needs help and we may at last actually get help.
Anything in the report saying that all was fine and we could cope would negate all efforts so far made that the situation was serious.
As for the individual with chicken pox (and HIV) - since when has chicken pox been an illness which requires hospitalisation? - quarantine yes, hospitalisation no.
That is not a good idea because we have the illegal immigrants commission and the uNHCR representatives who are the people who grant asylum. If we were to do this they will simply start giving everyone refugee status.
The only solution is to REPATRIATE ALL illegal immigrants and not allow one single one of them to remain in Malta. They must also be kept in detention until they are repatriated so that the message will get through that they will never be allowed to roam our streets preying on women and taking the work from Maltese workers.
Vincent Zerafa
We have absolutely NO responsibility to take any refugees. It is their ex-colonial masters that have that responsibility.
Noel Cutajar, Robert Callus
If they have no papers then they must not be believed and kept in detention until repatriated. Nigerians are still not being repatriated.
Robert Scullion
Whether you like it or not Malta is in recession and you cannot deny the facts or cite unbelievable statistics. No they should not mingle with us. They are here ILLEGALLY and must be expelled.
rene joseph
They should have stayed in Libya. There's no war there.
Do the legitimate citizens of this country have rights too, as it seems not. Do we and our families have a right to live freely, without thousands of foreigners imposed on us? Do we have a right to enjoy the friut of our labour, the taxes that we pay to be used as they should be used? Or are we supposed to accept that a great proportion of our taxes should be spent on illegal immigrants instead of using the taxes to sustain a decent standard of living in this tiny over crowded country? Where are our rights to remain Maltese, to retain our identity and freedom to live as we wish and not as how some would like us to do? Why should I assimilate to anyone? No, I don't ask that others assimilate to my way of life if they don't want to, but they cannot AND WILL NOT impose themselves on me. Are we a nation of cowards, afraid to speak up? We are being badgered into thinking we are in the wrong. We have to speak out, now, not later.
Get your facts straight. Libya hasn't signed the Genveva convention so no, one can't apply for asylum in Libya.
Also, how do you know they are 'fake asylum seekers' It's the refugee commission that decides, according to the law not you, and about 3% qualify as political refugees (renewed every three years) while nearly 50% have temporary humanitarian protection (possibly renewed on a yearly basis)
Ironically many Maltese say: Why don't they try to improve the situation in their counrty?
I know people who have tried, ex a geography teacher from Erithrea who subtly proposed democracy in a newspaper. He was hunted for exercising his freedom of speech. He fled and is now in Malta. Yet, the same Maltese don't say, you tried hard luck, but just go back (and possibly get murdered). There is some element of hypocricy here no?
I proposed this some time back, when I suggested that some of the old warehouse's or other 'part used/derelict' buildings in Marsa be replaced by modern purpose built law courts and administration buildings, with three times the present (overcrowded) courts capacity to handle cases.
There is no excuse for this state of affairs?
Who does the planning for the future in Malta ?
Who is assigned responsibility ?
Why is nothing planned and nothing done in Malta, until the whole thing is a absolute shambles.
The article below shows that your argument is a gross generalisation. Sending back somalis to the part called somaliland in no way means sending them to their death. As the article says, the UK govt. (an EU member) reached an agreement with those governing this part.
We are not so gullible and naive to swallow everything. Many illegal immigrants does not deserve to be here. Even from east africa.
http://www.somalilandtimes.net/2003/76/7602.shtml
Waste collection is essential but unattractive. The authorities can make it more attractive by: raising wages, cutting hours of work, and improving the conditions (hygiene etc). That way the Maltese will accept the job.
The authorities are economizing on money at a much higher cost to the national identity of the Maltese people, our security and our social cohesion.
Other countries were obliged to admit foreigners from other continents, or at least did it naturally, because they were imperial powers lording it over them.
Malta is getting to the same point because of the government’s policy of appeasement of all comers and its holy complacency in the face of a growing crisis.
Why does Gonzi refuse to listen to the people’s voice? Why does he not hold a public consultation process? It’s no argument that the PL is no better and is avoiding tackling the issue. Gonzi is Prime Minister. This is his responsibility.
Best comment I read so far.......Indeed the Government should hold a referendum and pose the question 'Should we repatriate all economic migrants with immediate effect and grant asylum to the genuine ones'? We know the answer already Carm and Gonzi and if we were to grant asylum/refugee status to the ones who qualify for it we will only end up with a handful of migrants. Those who support this illegal invasion know that Malta cannot continue to host thousands of economic migrants. The government is obliged first and foremost to protect the national interest and safeguard the interests of the legal citizens and NOT the illegal ones.
No the government cannot. We are overwhelmed. What the government should do is take a stand and say enough to this systematic invasion. The UN is quick to criticise others and fails to see its own failures. Illegal immigration is threatening the stability of our tiny island. We have the resonsability to take a quota of refugees but we also have the right to sustain a normal, stable and thriving Maltese society. Nobody has the right to take that away from us!
Long term detention policy is cruel, counter productive and expensive. It's also a burden for the AFM who rightly so are trained as soldiers not social workers. THus while they know how to deal with let's say a riot, they are not trained to face people with serious emotional problems. Soldiers should be used to do their job - security - while people with background in psychology should take care of the day to day running.
Again making up your own facts. Malta is not in a recession. If you actually understood what a recession was (2 continuous quarters of negative growth) you would realise that this hasn't happened.
Though not like you to let facts in the way of rant.
Also whats wrong with letting them out of the centre and mingle with the general public?
If you also check in the search engines of the times as you seem to do with those of the corriere; you would also learn that the government already has an agreement with Egypt and others - and repatriation can happen. As it already happened.
The problem is with countries such as Eritrea and Somalia, where talks are definitely more difficult if non existent.
The current conditions of these countries, makes the living there impossible. Wars, famine, corruption, unemployment and lack of opportunities.
Sending them back, would be the equivalent to send them to their dead. Now, people like Berlusconi perhaps doesn't care, but even him can't do that - because of the international law. Indeed, he hasn't.
Now, you can either be hysterical and utter non sense or choose a more rational way, where after all the problem of immigration is a human one.
And by the way, international obligations mention burden sharing......
If for the UNHCR the deterrent aspect is unacceptable, for us it is not.
2009 is going to be a record of arrivals, with the present situation, I don't think that Frontex will be granted another 30 million euros, however its better to start integrating these poor people with us and do what the EU and the UN says or else we have to face repercussions for breaching human rights when the report is submitted.
Why politicians don't speak out? Because sooner or later, they will have the right to vote, as you and me.
For those asking for RIPATRIATION, I say yes their will be soon, just be patient.
However without being sarcastic, min xarbu l-bakkaljaw irid jieklu, this is what many people said to other issues.
as long as there are people like rene joseph on this rock, this country can never move forward. sorry sir, you got it all wrong. now that we seem to be richer than the richest countries in europe, why don't we buy the whole of africa, cover it in gold and send these illegals to live there?
So Italy will be repatriating Tunisians. After the Egyptians that's already some progress.
When will Gonzi and Mifsud Bonnici follow suit?
2009-01-24 11:28
LAMPEDUSA: BERLUSCONI, SITUAZIONE SOTTO CONTROLLO
ARZACHENA (OLBIA) - "I cittadini di Lampedusa devono stare tranquilli perché la situazione è sotto controllo. Faremo delle cose per compensarli e martedì Maroni incontrerà a Tunisi il ministro dell'Interno tunisino e il presidente Ben Alì per stabilire le modalità per far rientrare i 1.200 tunisini". Lo ha detto il premier Silvio Berlusconi parlando ad Arzachena durante un tour elettorale ...
hysterically galea screams 'What about OUR human rights' - He cap sized the word 'OUR'.
Article 9 (1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights says: ‘Everyone has the right to liberty and security of person. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention. No one shall be deprived of his liberty except on such grounds and in accordance with such procedure as are established by law.’
You should also know that even prisoners in jails are entitled to their human rights; such as food, water, health, and of course not be subjected to torture - mentally and physical. To live as humans and not as beasts in cages. A basic concept which you seem to have certain difficulties to grasp.
so now, be good and brush up on international law and think for once.
I wonder who invited this working group and what the general idea was. At this juncture, inviting these people is just like inviting the taxman round to inspect your books when these are in total disorder.
Immigrazione: Lampedusa, migranti "Non torniamo nel centro"
24 gen 11:25 Cronache
LAMPEDUSA (Agrigento) - ''Noi restiamo qui, non vogliamo tornare nel centro''. I centinaia di immigrati, fuggiti dalla struttura di prima accoglienza, stanno ripetendo questa frase a tutti quelli che chiedendo loro di rientrare. I migranti sono ancora nella piazza del municipio, dove l'ex sindaco lampedusano Toto' Martello li ha accolti con un applauso: "'Siamo insieme a voi - ha detto - vogliamo che vi trasferiscano negli altri centri italiani, ci batteremo perche' possiate lasciare Lampedusa, ma ora dovete rientrare nella struttura d'accoglienza". (Agr)
@rene joseph
"Malta is the only country that will not enter into a recession, unlike the others in the eurozone"
Has it ever dawned on you that Malta is the second poorest country in the eurozone after Slovakia and that Maltese salaries are also the second lowest in the eurozone after Slovakia??? Most people in the eurozone have salaries more than twice the salaries in Malta.
Malta's GDP is only 77% of the EU average and therefore Malta has a GDP of perhaps half or even less of the eurozone average.
Had we been in recession, and the other eurozone countries were not, do you think that they would have given a damn about our illegal immigration crisis?
Your argument simply makes absolutely no sense.
In practical terms words are easy to say, actions are difficult. Financial and physical constraints prevent us from providing a more humane treatment. The international community cannot expect us to take on the burden without any help/
Whether you like it or not, we cannot just ignore the principles of justice and detain people without trial. Legally, probably these people would not be found guilty, as there is no Maltese law stating that it is illegal to try to reach Italy by boat from Libya! How can a Maltese court sentence someone for needing rescue while sailing to Italy, when they would not even be in Maltese territory!!! (The Maltese search and rescue zone is international waters)
The problems are BIG.....but the solutions are not easy. Unless we want to be barbarians!!
If anything, it should serve as a clear sign to the international community that Malta cannot take more illegals.
I EXPECT AN APOLOGY FOR THESE HARSH WORDS.
ANYONE THAT DOESN'T LIKE IT HERE IS FREE TO LEAVE AND NEVER RETURN, AND ANYONE IS FREE TO TAKE A-L-L THE ILLEGALS WITH THEM TO WHEREVER THEY WANT OUTSIDE OF THIS TINY POOR AND DECADENT COUNTRY.
The average Maltese does not have it any better at all than these illegals.
I have already written an email to the UN in very explicit language (don't we just get nice words from the international service and no concrete burden sharing of any sort) to complain about these insults.
Their email is wgad@ohchr.org and I encourage real Maltese to write to them as well. Our politicians and the international community are selling us way too short and providing nothing but lip service.
GONZI & CARM, what are you wanting for to do something? For civil unrest just like in Greece or what?
GLI OSPITI DEL CPA SONO RIUSCITI AD AGGIRARE I CONTROLLI DELLE FORZE DELL'ORDINE
Lampedusa, fuga in massa dal Cpa
Tutti i 1.300 immigrati ospiti della struttura sono fuggiti poco dopo le 10 dal centro
LAMPEDUSA (Agrigento) - Fuga in massa dal Cpa di Lampedusa all'indomani dello sciopero generale degli abitanti dell'isola contro la decisione del ministro dell'Interno, Roberto Maroni, di realizzare un Centro per l'identificazione e l'espulsione degli immigrati. Tutti i 1.300 immigrati ospiti del Centro di prima accoglienza sono fuggiti poco dopo le 10 di sabato mattina dalla struttura, forzando i cancelli d'ingresso e riuscendo ad aggirare i controlli delle forze dell'ordine. Già all'alba si era registrata la fuga di circa 300 immigrati dal Cpa. Polizia e carabinieri avevano immediatamente avviato posti di blocco per rintracciare tutti i fuggitivi.
IN CORTEO - Gli immigrati fuggiti dal Cpa, si stanno dirigendo ora in corteo - sono più di mille - verso la piazza del Municipio di Lampedusa (gridando slogan come «Libertà, aiutateci»). Gli extracomunitari corrono lungo la strada senza essere bloccati dalla polizia che li sta, invece, affiancando lungo il percorso senza intervenire.
The usual talk, talk and talk from the UNHCR with no practical actions and solutions. Has the UNHCR assured the Maltese government that they are liasing with Gaddaffi to stop these illegal crossings??? Malta is a densely populated island and there is hardly any room for legal citizens let alone for economic migrants. This is a farce and we found ourselves in this huge mess thanks to the UNHCR which is encouraing illegal immigration and our spineless government who wants to be politically correct. The government would have been better off inviting over Gaddaffi and not the UNHCR! Gaddaffi is the one who has the power to stop these illegal crossings from Libya to Malta/Southern Europ shores.
This is not only a financial or econmic problem. They are only a tiny aspect of it. Malta cannot continue building villages for immigrants as if nothing happens. It is not accomodation, but sanctioned colonisation.
God Forbid if the government ignores public opinion in general, and takes UNHCR's criticism seriously. The Status Quo is Unacceptable.
"..Malta is the only country that will not enter into a recession..."
We will not enter into a recesion. WE ARE IN IT JOSEPH.
What about OUR human rights Joseph?
Stop brandishing the human rights banner Joseph. Its been brandished uselessly and for petty issues for so long that it has lost all its relevance. They can ask for their human rights back in their own country.
Ryan Bugeja
They are free to go back whenever they want and enjoy their life back home.
It's not like we invited them over. They are all free to leave the centre as soon as they please. Leave to where they came from that is.
What does the U.N. expect at at time of internaional financial crisis?
Does the U.N. expect the A.F.M. to ask these "invaders" (as described by the P.M himself) wheather they prefer a sea or country view?
TALK IS CHEAP!!!!
@L Galea
the government complains about the cost, but then again Malta is the only country that will not enter into a recession, unlike the others in the eurozone - which means that others have their own big problems related to economy and unemployment to face. Hardly this is ever taken into consideration.
Having people like you and the rest of Azzjoni Nazzjonali screaming hysterically on immigration won't solve anything.
Apart from typical right-wing populist hyperbole rhetoric, far-right (or new right as they like to be called) wing parties have not offered anything to solve the issue - of course, solution that do not break international laws on human rights.
Malta is not detaining any illegal immigrants against their will.
They are ALL FREE TO LEAVE.
They can go back to their country if they want to – and if their country wants them (because in some cases their own countries do not want them back).
They can go to any other country that wants them, including the countries of the 5 members of the UN committee – Spain, Senegal, Pakistan, Russia and Chile.
None of these countries can afford to lecture Malta on human rights.
The members of the UN committee would do better to look at the situation each in his or her country and they will find a lot to do.
...HELLO?! Did we need the UN to tell us?
We shall never allow them to remain in Malta and be integrated with us.
If Manuela Carmena Castrillo doesn't like it why didn't she put her money where her mouth is and took all of them back to Spain?
NO INTEGRATION, ONLY REPATRIATION.
INTEGRATION OVER MY DEAD BODY CASTRILLO.
Since the problem of illegal immigration started, the government has been retreating step by step under the pressure of governmental and non-governmental organizations of professional do-gooders. If it thought they would be satisfied, it was sorely mistaken and here we have another proof.
Each time the government withdraws, it reveals its weakness. And the others come back for more. How many times has the government raised its weak voice, pleading about the cost, the problem, the intolerable burden, the smallness of the island … Has the problem become any better? Has it grown any lighter? Instead, each year the problem gets worse.
What we need is a policy with guts, inspired solely by the interests of Malta and the Maltese. The PL is sitting pretty, seeing GonziPN bleeding votes and losing them down the drain because of its weakness in tackling the crisis. We can criticize the PL. But Gonzi is in government. He is the one who has to do something about it. So far he has done very little.