Migrants protest over their detention

AnnMarie Pawley

Jan 30th 2009, 17:00

If they were so much better off and enjoyed better comforts in their home countries, why didn't they leave?

Michelle Dali

Jan 30th 2009, 14:04

These incidents highlight the fact that it is highly irresponsible and dangerous to allow this endless infux of illegal immigrants into our small country. It is all the more dangerous when the detention centres are full to the point of being overcrowded and unable to cope with the number of people being held there. I feel the government should use these incidents to make it known to the world that because of the dire situation the country finds itself in, no further boatloads of immigrants will be allowed to embark in Malta. When they start appearing in Malta's SAR area, as they no doubt will, the AFM will certainly fulfil its obligations and go out to 'rescue' them, but it will take with it, food, fuel and water, and a spare dinghy large enough to accomodate the numbers involved, and after giving them assistance, let them go on to wherever they were heading. Under no circumstances should any more illegal immigrants be brought to Malta, when there is no space to accomodate them, no possibily of employing them, and no chance of other EU countries taking them. These measures must be taken in the national interest.

G. Mangion

Jan 30th 2009, 11:25

Since I am not very up to date with the migrants Crisis, Can anyone here tell me ? Why Cant We ( Malta ) cannot deal with the invaders ,like Australia did and still does ? What Malta, has to lose by not accepting the ilegal migrants ? I think there are Many People like me , that would like a very good answer, This has gone too FAR now, and the Gov't, Oppstion Both know It is. Dont let a fliker turn into a Flame !! This is the biggest National Problem So Far.

Joe Xuereb (London)

Jan 30th 2009, 11:19

And please, let us have none of these double-standards. If some claim they - the ones with the criminal intent - have not right to be in Malta and should be made to leave, why would they have the right to settle in countries further north of us. If you are out of order, you are out of order. Stay on the run or go back to wherever it was you came from. And build up your country. And take responsibility. Not an easy task for sure. But nothing to do with Malta. Or anyone else. As simple as buon giorno.

Edwin Mifsud

Jan 30th 2009, 10:42

Ok here is an idea. If it freedom they want freedom we'll give them. Step 1. Close the centre, set them free and they can go to, to, to .......... Back where they came from. Step 2. Stop sending the A.F.M. to rescue them UNLESS another county agrees to host them. Cruel as it may sound I think it's high time we apply the Pontius Pilate rule. Come on!! Helping a few Africans is one thing, but this is an invasion and turning our island into a detension centre island.

JAMIE PACE

Jan 30th 2009, 10:39

wow..well said mr M Borg....you sure do deserve a round of applause and a loaft for your inteligient contribution...your idea sounds very easy on paper and a perfect solution to solve our problems.....wow,I hope if our government succeed to heed to your well draughted plans,we ll also need to produce a blockbuster movie as a follow up based on the whole scenario....and hopefully make u the producer...hmmm..what would the title be mr M borg,any idea....?????????????....

Rodney Testa

Jan 30th 2009, 10:06

Although I do not wish to sound insensitive to others problems I do not really understand these kind of protests. Although I do agree that these human being need aid I believe that now thing have worsened to the extent that it is time that we, Maltese Citizens, should protest.

We are the ones who pay taxes for anything, we are the ones that support this country's economy, we are the ones that even in times when the world is financially collapsing we gave from our little during last Istrina and to people in Gaza.

Now it is time to really protest at least with our brothers (EU States) to really take part of our burden and if not (maybe because not economically viable) then we should re-think whats best for our country.

Graham Crocker

Jan 30th 2009, 10:05

I agree with Kenneth Galea, these people need something to keep them occupied and if they earn money they aren't leeching off the economy, but helping it like they did before with the local council clean up.

We helped them, let them help us.

Christopher Camilleri

Jan 30th 2009, 08:24

I believe that the public is being kept ignorant of what really happens in the illegal migrants centre in order to avoid mass anti-immigrants feeling and racial hatred.

joseph zammit

Jan 30th 2009, 07:04

.....and in the meantime the goverment is passing a law to give harsher penalties for any maltese citizen who speaks against these people. A huge insult to the maltese citizens and tax payers whom at the end are paying for these illegal immigrants to be hosted in our country.
Shame on all members of parliament who vote in favor without amending the laws to make harsher penalties for these illegal imigrants who every time injur our police/armed forces.

M Borg

Jan 30th 2009, 05:17

Why won't we copy our neighbour, Libyan leader Gaddafi??

Is it freedom they want? Freedom we give them, but we find a day when the weather is fine, take them directly to the boats they came with, supply them with fuel, water, food, and yes, a satellite mobile phone and the telephone number of the Authorities in Rome or in Paris or in any other country either member of EU or member of UN and tow them just out of our median line??? This will please lots of people from all ends:
the ILLEGAL migrants will have their freedom;
the Maltese will solve the problem of paying for keeping and feeding together with maintaing the places where they live;
and the UN and EU will applaud us that FINALLY we gave them freedom, since Malta is always criticised because of its detention policies and what they lack.

And yes, we can also give them some Euros in cash, so when they reach the next destination they will have enough money to settle down......and hopefully never return to Malta.

and everyone will live happily ever after.

laurence schembri

Jan 30th 2009, 00:36

A close shave.

J Spiteri

Jan 29th 2009, 23:53

Hmm, considering the cold weather .... the boiler would be very important to them. I think they won't protest just for nothing. There must have been something else going on for sure.

Joseph Calleja

Jan 29th 2009, 23:52

Here we go again, this time a detention officer got injured by a can thrown by one of the emigrants. What else are they going to throw? Another protest because of bad accomodations. Why is the government keeping these emigrants in Malta when according to Foreign Minister Tonio Borg, Malta represented an unintended stopover for most migrants, in that case why is Malta holding on to them. If the journey was not intended to end in Malta why not give them their boats back and send them on their way so they can reach their final destination. So if the Maltese don't protest the emigrants will.

Kenneth Galea

Jan 29th 2009, 22:51

Can these people be released temporarily and work on our roads which are in disarray!!!

Charles Sammut

Jan 29th 2009, 21:57

Were they protesting over their detention or over a broken water boiler? Or is any excuse good to hold a noisy protest?

And how did the water boiler end up broken in the first place?

K Farrugia

Jan 29th 2009, 21:05

Second protest in just one month...smells like trouble

victor vella

Jan 29th 2009, 21:01

They are in detention and they protest over a broken boiler.They throw a shaving foam can paid for by us.What's next?
Do we have to protest as they workers did in England? see
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20090129/tuk-protest-over-use-of-foreign-labour-6323e80.html