Updated: Another five migrants escape

Ms D Galea

Apr 17th 2011, 14:05

. I am sure that the vast majority of these unfortunate people who sought freedom and basic human rights in Europe meant to go to mainland Europe in the first place and not here, the tiniest and Most overcrowded country in the whole of the EU.

If I was an irregular immigrant who wanted s better life in mainland Europe but ended up in Malta by mistake, I would go protesting day and night in front of the embassy door of my ex-colonial master until I get what I want

Dorothy Brincat

Feb 9th 2009, 23:28

History is littered with examples of changing demographic populations where the native populations are eventually overwhelmed and this is happening in Malta. It really is naive to expect other European nations to be concerned when they are clearly overwhelmed by their own domestic agendas and can it be stopped? Possibly not ,however much I long to return to the Malta of my youth., fifty years ago. It is a harsh lesson to learn but in dealing with the illegal immigrants you really are on your own Malta and I hope more than anything that you can succeed.

Alexander Morana

Feb 9th 2009, 14:33

Joe M. Anastasi (1 day, 14 hours ago)
Why all this fuss because 5 of them escape.

The best thing for Malta would be if they all escaped and got onto boats heading for Italy.

The sooner the better.


Then the Italians will return to address - Malta. Ha!

anthea preston

Feb 9th 2009, 13:23

Malta RIP! What a tragedy for Malta and the Maltese people.. Your tourism will be finished - I noticed the difference last year when I visited (twice) the immigrants roaming the streets and loitering with their mobiles glued to their ears. Prowling the streets everywhere in pairs and groups. You are now in the same situation as many parts of the UK - in fact I think it is far worse for you owing to the logistics, ie the number that are invading you against the land mass available. Unite now whatever you do, protest, strike, march do whatever you need to do. Your entire national security and way of life is at risk. These peoples and all the organisations that represent them and speak out for them will impose them and their cultures and ways of life on you and yours. I pray it is not too late already and that as someone else has already commented here, Malta is finished! I weep. Your leadership is weak - now is the time to close your borders entirely and repatriate those illegals that you still have in detention.

J.Bugeja

Feb 9th 2009, 12:25

Please go on this website and sign the online petition.
http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/save-malta-from-illegal-immigrants/sign.html

Do it now before its too late!

S Muscat

Feb 8th 2009, 21:03

This situation would be farcical if it didn't have such serious consequences for Malta. Last time I went to renew my ID card I was the only Maltese in the queue, all the rest were illegal-but-legalised immigrants.

Gonzi, Gatt or anyone in power would you please do something for our defenceless island? Have you not seen any studies of how social unrest starts?

deb bugeja

Feb 8th 2009, 17:14

We do not know if they are leaving the island. maybe they have friends who lives in apartments and they are kept there. who knows.?

Shaun Camilleri

Feb 8th 2009, 16:18

Who is harbouring these illigal (twice) imigrants? If they leave Malta good luck however if they do not I hope no one helps them.
We have enough of our own problems to want to solve someone elses.

As regards the religious factor in all this in case someone starts pounding me with dogma. I believe in G-d and no man made hypocritical institution thank you very much. Why does not the pope take some illigal immigrants to stay in his grand palace - Peter's whatever it is called.

Marianna Galea Xuereb

Feb 8th 2009, 15:37

@ Joe M. Anastasi

There is no guarantee that they will all instantly go to Italy or some other place abroad if allowed to escape, unfortunately. Many illegal immigrants are smart enough to realize that they will not have it much better abroad in mainland Europe. What other EU state is stupid enough to guarantee them monetary allowances at overtaxed taxpayers’ expense. Moreover some illegal immigrants have already lucratively infiltrated the crime network in Malta. What motive have the latter got to leave Malta for ever?

Malcolm Farrugia

Feb 8th 2009, 15:32

My solidarity goes to the Afm personel, who have to face these migrants every single day.
The soldiers on gourd should be placed in a watchtower high in these detention centres. Also why do the authorities buys some search lights to be used in these centres?
Most probably the best solution is to have some soldiers gourding the outside perimeter both on footh with gaurd dogs and in land rovers!

Ms P Graham

Feb 8th 2009, 11:01

The Maltese Government, like Governments across the globe will not take notice of the downward spiral of the Islands until it hits crisis point. Why?
Crime has spiraled, the streets no longer feel safe. Why?

Why is the Government of Malta not learning from the mistakes of other Countries and nipping this growing situation in the bud?
Stop the invasion of illegal immigrants now with whatever force is necessary and stop blaming membership of the EU for everything.
Stop the boats entering the jurisdiction and do NOT let an illegal foot, take a step on Maltese soil.

Graham Holme

Feb 8th 2009, 10:29

@ Len Baxter
I wrote a letter to the Times a few years ago ,warning Malta and its people that if this invasion from Affrica wasn't stopped its main source of income,re its tourist industry would suffer,the powers that be took no notice then,and are taking no notice now.
Seems as if the elected Government,are not only fiddling as Rome burns,but pouring petrol on a fire that is getting out of control.
Malta,R.I.P.

len baxter

Feb 8th 2009, 02:07

i really feel for the people of malta, i used to love coming to your beautiful islands, alas, these people that are going to swamp your land will put off people like me visiting again,
this has happened in my hometown of dagenham, they now outnumber us,
they have ruined england, and they will ruin malta, act now while you still can
VIVA MALTA

Joe M. Anastasi

Feb 7th 2009, 23:54

Why all this fuss because 5 of them escape.

The best thing for Malta would be if they all escaped and got onto boats heading for Italy.

The sooner the better.

Mar Dar

Feb 7th 2009, 22:05

Same old news .... same old comments ................ same old sleeping useless government. Same old us sitting around waiting and praying maybe the government finally does something. I dont think any government official reads our blogs and realise the drastic impact these arrivals are causing to us...... guess they just dont care ..... I was being called a racist some time last year coz of my comments ..... does anyone dare blame me now. We are simply being taken over ....... more than 400 in a week and its only January/February .... what is going to happen from April onwards ????

a darmanin

Feb 7th 2009, 22:00

every time I hear of these escapes it gives me shivers down my spine.
we are no more safe in our own country.
where are you going malta??

lgalea

Feb 7th 2009, 21:38

I Vella
They are ILLEGAL whether you and your ilk like it or not.
We no longer care what they have in their own countries.
They are INVADING OUR country which they have absolutely NO right to do.

Furthermore, they have been living and working for years in Libya and all they say are a pack of LIES.

Gonezipn, get them out of here forthwith.

louise vella

Feb 7th 2009, 20:19

By the way, Tunisians do not qulaify for refugee status anywhere; they are economic immigrants. And UNHCR's mandate is over refugees NOT migrants. But UNHCR's Laura Boldrini does not care, she shoots from the hip and acts as "portavoce".

louise vella

Feb 7th 2009, 19:15

Some Tunisian illegal immigrants are being held in Lampedusa in view of repatriation. They have attempted, or feigned to attempt, acts of suicide. UNHCR representative Laura Boldrini has blamed the detention centre, called "centro di identificazione ed espulsione". That's where fanaticism leads you!

See www.corriere.it:
Immigrazione: Boldrini (Unhcr), "Autolesionismo conseguenza del centro espulsioni"
07 feb 13:22 Cronache

PALERMO - ''Gli episodi di autolesionismo di alcuni migranti nel centro di Lampedusa sono la conseguenza della trasformazione della struttura in centro di identificazione ed espulsione''. A dirlo, la portavoce in Italia dell'Alto Commissariato Onu per i rifugiati, Laura Boldrini, che ha commentato quanto accaduto la notte scorsa nel centro di prima accoglienza dove una decina di tunisini hanno ingoiato lamette da barba e bulloni, cercando di uccidersi.

AnnMarie Pawley

Feb 7th 2009, 19:08

@Moses Mula - have we ever benefitted from Africa? As far as I remember I was always told to eat up my dinner and think of the poor starving children in Africa, or to give donations to African missions.

AnnMarie Pawley

Feb 7th 2009, 19:05

To all those who suggested detention centres on Filfla and Comino - these people do the last part of their voyage in a wooden boat or dinghy, so what makes u think that that they'd be deterred if they were to be put there? They'd still find the means to escape. And having said that, they'd still be Malta's problem; quite apart from the fact that we would be losing two beautiful nature reserves.

D. Borg

Feb 7th 2009, 15:30

I Vella
Entering another country without documents is illegal. You should try to go anywhere in the world without documents, see if you don't get arrested. As for escaping they should have stayed in Libya. There is no war there and they must have been working to make money for their trip. How dare they come here and distabilize our country!

deb bugeja

Feb 7th 2009, 15:26

I have seen hundreds of illegal immigrants yestereday cashing their cheque money with them getting about 500 euros in money. Whether they are getting it out of the government thus from our tax paying money or either from jobs they are taking from the maltese., jobs which after all belongs to those people who payed taxes in Malta and now they have been redunded and they have worries how to cope with living expenses and the loans.

Should the government gives honest explainations what is really going to happen with them invading us like this.? There should be a programme on tv with the maltese people asking direct questions to the minister concerned. we dont want any more excuses. what about the pact of burden sharing ? has any other eu members volunteered to take some?

wally vella-zarb

Feb 7th 2009, 15:21

@I Vella
Attempting to enter another country without prior authorisation is a criminal offense. These boat people are therefore guilty of a criminal offense and they are NOT 'arrested illegally'. The strategy that they are using, that is, feigning distress is making a mockery of the International Law of The Sea and also SOLAS regulations that require signatories to afford assistance to 'persons in distress'.

Should I, on my own boat, come across another boat with people claiming 'distress', I would be risking prosecution if I refuse to assist them. The immigrants that are invading us are abusing the system because they know that our SAR cannot legally refuse to pick them up.

Joseph Cauchi

Feb 7th 2009, 15:08

In view of this drastic situation of the continuous influx of illegal immigrants, we should show our disapproval to the Government and to the Opposition for their unprecedented silence in this matter.

I believe that a campaign should get underway immediately a) to gather as much as possible signatures and b) to organize a protest march, in order to show our disapproval of the way this serious matter is being handled, by all our 65 members in parliament!

However, the above should be organized by non-political parties and emphasis be shown that these activities are non-partisan, but a national concern that is affecting the true Maltese nation as a whole!

So let us show our PATRIOTISM and our TRUE Maltese colours!

VIVA MALTA.

../..

Moses Mula

Feb 7th 2009, 15:03

There is nothing wrong with loving your country, but taking it to such extremes as most of you are doing is beyond believe. There are people who mention the Great Siege but keep forgetting that if it was not for foreing intervention Malta would have fallen in the hands of the Ottoman Empire. If it was not for the british Malta would have suffered a lot more during the second world war. And if Malta was not in the E.U. our economy would not be as strong, with millions of euros from other Europeans taxes ending in the coffers of Malta. For those who are so against the E.U. and pretty much every other country why dont you buy only Maltese products and boycott foreign ones? It happens to be that tourism is the major contributor to our economy, but maybe tourists too should boycott Malta as it seems that for many of you Malta can survive on its own as long as no foreign authority monitors certain regulations. Why not leave the U.N. maybe even earth itself, I bet our island can float in space as long as everybody leaves us alone. OH DEAR I. GALEA!!!

louise vella

Feb 7th 2009, 14:59

How many of last weekend's 262+ illegal immigrants have been repatriated?
What are Gonzi and Mifsud Bonnici doing to stop more of them from coming?
What are Gonzi and Mifsud Bonnici doing to repatriate all the others we have in Malta?
Are UNHCR and JRS helping the government in the repatriation process?
Are they helping to accommodate the illegal immigrants?
Can Gonzi, Mifsud Bonnici, UNHCR and JRS tell us if they are happy with the present situation?

Joseph Calleja

Feb 7th 2009, 14:32

@M Borg
you stated that If you live in Marsa or B'Bugia and you cannot walk SAFELY in the streets of your hometown. Why isn't your KUNSIL (city council) you elected to represent you, out there protesting to the Government and let them know what's going on? The people elect these politicians to represent them but I haven't seen any official protest from any Kunsil yet? Every Maltese citizen has a right to move freely without fear of harm from any outside source. Have the Kunsil make a formal complaint to the courts and protest this illiegal invasion.

victor Vella

Feb 7th 2009, 14:25

Some say let them go , others qwant them returned to thoer country, I agree with returning them post paid asap. But on emust consider the logistics required to return themnow l;et us be fair would you send a man or a women back to a place where because of her religion or political creed they would be put to death?On the other hand would you trust 168 of them on an aircraft unattended? what if they hi jack the aircraft?Unless the powers that be decide to put them back on the boats with enough fuel to make any lanfall withen 200 miles we cannot get rid of them.The only thing we can do is stop bringing them into the country ourselves. Frontex did not stop them leaving Libya or other countries they are simply bringing them into Malta.We must do somthing and do it fast other wise we are in deep brown liquid when it hits the fan.

Mark Anthony Sammut

Feb 7th 2009, 14:06

Are these comments about Filfla for real?? That's one our country's most treasured natural assets, apart from it being a nature reserve where numerous flora and fauna are indegenous to the small island!

Ten migrants escape in two days.... are we turning the detention centre into an open centre?!

d. borg

Feb 7th 2009, 13:31

They escape, to go where? I bet to their friends at the Marsa Open Centre. When is the govt. going to admit that the situation is getting out of control and if he does'nt take drastic decisions now, it will even become dangerous. Difficult situations need brave decisions!

lgalea

Feb 7th 2009, 13:27

Carmel Borg
Not voting is useless.
The way to get your message to our politicants and political parties is to go to vote for your party candidates and then write your message on your ballot paper.
That is the only way the message will get through their stubborn thick heads.

louise vella
Excellent comment re SAR area and car insurance.

Albert gauci cunningham
You mean pair of string hands?

R Dimech
Agree with you 100%

Patrick bellia
Dik tista' ssir, imma jekk Alla hares qatt jghaddi t-Trattat ta' Lisbona li l-Parlamentari arroganti u irresponsabbli taghna ghaddewh mill-parlament, l-UE tkun tista' taghmel liema ligijiet trid anki jekk ikunu kontra l-kostituzzjoni taghna u f'dak il-kaz il-kostituzzjoni tinqabez. Dak huwa li approvaw il-membri parlamentari onorevoli taghna. Tradiment tal-kostituzzjoni taghna.

I Vella

Feb 7th 2009, 13:25

What if anyone of you would be arrested illegaly? wouldn't you feel frustrated and decide to escape? I pity these immigrants they are not illegal they are just escaping from hardship poor poor creatures

A Vella

Feb 7th 2009, 13:20

J Abdilla- the answer (though your comment was a joke) is no because Filfla is still Maltese soil and we will not give up an inch of it to illegals.

A Vella

Feb 7th 2009, 13:19

The irony of the situation,as I see it is this. Maltese, in order to protest, must get a permit. Otherwise, I believe they are arrested. Illegal immigrants( law breakers) protest violently and without permit. and what happens? (rhetorical question) Nothing. You may also find people defending their actions, Isn t this situation perverse? Tal-biki.

j.abdilla

Feb 7th 2009, 13:16

Why not turn Filfla into a camping site and put all illegal emigrants there?

Carmel Borg

Feb 7th 2009, 13:11

We must give our politicians a lesson. We should not go out to vote in the next coming EU elections. This is to show all trhose concerned that we do not want to tollerate any more of these situations. Our country is at great risk.

A Vella

Feb 7th 2009, 13:03

@Marcel Dingli- yes, i imagine it is the case. Eventhough again, it seems like only illegal immigrants have the right of expression nowadays. but what about Bill boards, e-mails and other means of communication. I mean, word of mouth is the best advert. That is how i got to know about it, but only two days beforehand, and obviously previous commitments can not be cancelled in such a short notice. Proper planning is the key. we need an organiser, that is.

J Farrugia

Feb 7th 2009, 12:28

Min qal li l-Minsitru CMB mhu qed jghid xejn. Qed ihajjilna ligi atroci li lest jibghatna l-habs jekk nghidu kontra l-immigranti llegali. Lil Maltin lest jitfahhom il-habs jekk xi hadd minnha jipprotesta kontra l-immigrazzjoni llegali. jekk nghidu kelma kontrihom jghidilna li ahna razzisti u jitfana l-habs. Dak li qed ihejji ghalina Karmenu Mifsud Bonnici l-Ministru. L-ewwel bdietha dik il-ministru Cristina u issa qed ikompli sehibha.

A Cardona

Feb 7th 2009, 12:28

I wish them all the luck in the world and I hope they are headed ANYWHERE outside Maltese territory. I hope that ALL the rest of their illegal comrades follow suit ASAP.

To the/any authorities out there, where on earth are you? What are you waiting for to pull your socks up and DO SOMETHING?

With this free for all the illegals attitude it's no wonder that 417 illegals got here since Sunday. That number proves that they have it far too good here, no matter what the know-it-all at the UN elsewhere would like to say. And it is no wonder that it's going to be a matter of days for the next few hundreds to get here.

Christopher Mamo

Feb 7th 2009, 12:22

Now, now, keep calm, everyone.

The real issue at hand at the moment is not the immigration problem, but the far more important issue of the Valletta entrance, which will be reflecting our modern national identity.

I invite everyone to read between the lines.

Chris Mifsud

Feb 7th 2009, 12:21

A referendum is what we need . The will of the Maltese people is much stronger than any NGO or E.U human rights organizations .

We need to STOP and TURN BACK any boats which are carrying illegal immigrants .
We need to chuck out all the illegal immigrants already here . All of them .

The situation is already out of control . We cannot even cope with what we have let alone with all the arrivals we will have in summer .

For now the main problem areas are B'Bugia , Marsa and Hal Far . - Give it a year or two max and the problems are going to be much much more widespread . They will invade areas all over Malta like Sliema , St Julians , Birkirkara etc.. etc..

The time to protest and DEMAND immediet and effective action is NOW .

louise vella

Feb 7th 2009, 12:20

As the illegal immigration crisis builds up, we have not heard recently from:

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi
Minister of Justice and Home Affairs Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici
UNHCR
JRS.

Does it mean they are all happy with the situation?

lgalea

Feb 7th 2009, 11:53

Dr John Damai
They are free to return to their own countries, but not free to roam in Malta.
Get this straight through your head.
We shall NEVER allow them to stay in Malta whatever you, our politicants, the NGOs, the eu and unhcr say.
We shall not rest until each and every illegal immigrant is sent OUT of Malta never to return.

J Debono
The CNI website does not support any political party and advocates the withdrawal of Malta from the eu.
This does not mean that they have no valid points, even if you do not agree with their policy.
I find that they have a lot of valid points whether one agrees with them or not.
I also find that they have been telling the truth since day one, unlike many of our politicants.
So should I not visit other organizations websites and see what they say because I may not be of the same opinion and conclude that they may not have valid points?
Widen your horizon Mr/Ms Debono.
Read what others have to say, even if you do not agree with their opinion.
Have a look at the last link marked Illegal Immigrants.

Emmanuel Marmara'

Feb 7th 2009, 11:49

YES LET'S PUT THEM ON FILFLA, GIVE THEM ALL THEY NEED AND LET THEM ESCAPE TO ANOTHER COUNTRY..

Albert gauci cunningham

Feb 7th 2009, 11:30

Dont you dare blame Dr.Strong pair of hands !! Dont you even dare!!! This is not his fault!! he cannot do anything!! Got it?? nothing!! Miskin toqghodu taqbdu ma Gonzi!! let him do his job i.e---increase the salaries for the cabinet, hibernate, smile and posture, give nods for quarries infront of St.John's and "making sure" the Immigration pact works (yeahh right!!!!)

Isthi jekk taf Dr.Gonzi!!!!!

Marcel Dingli

Feb 7th 2009, 11:27

@A Vella
Some press did not accept paid adverts.

louise vella

Feb 7th 2009, 11:25

The question of the SAR, that is, our search and rescue area, has been twisted out of recognition.

This is like an insurance policy for bona fide users of seacraft - commercial ships, fishing boats, pleasure yachts etc. It does NOT cover the use of seacraft in bad faith, like the boats of smugglers of human beings, drug smugglers etc.

Giving insurance coverage to illegal seacraft is like my car insurance reimbursing me for a new car after an accident I deliberaely provoke to get rid of my old one.

The SAR is there to be used, NOT to be abused.

Louis Sinagra

Feb 7th 2009, 11:21

Why 417 since Sunday ? The Hon Carm Mifsud Bonnici has said that most of the 262 where repatriated . Mind we have not seen any footage of them leaving at the airport . It's a case of being San Tumas don't believe if you don't see .

isabelle borg

Feb 7th 2009, 11:16

@ Dr John Damai
Agony??? AGONY?? for us maybe but not for them!!! they are in MY homeland, living on MY taxes, treeorising OUR neighbourhoods!!!!! that is agony!!!!!
If they go back home is their agony because they will be prisoned, killed or whatever.

but be very careful when you speak about agony Dr.Damiani . We all feel it.

A Vella

Feb 7th 2009, 11:14

Last time's protest was a flop due to poor organisation and the fact that it was announced with a short notice. One with proper organisation would give a message to the government. I wonder why no referendum is done on this issue.

edward bartolo

Feb 7th 2009, 11:11

This is unsustainable! The government has, I dare say, the holy duty to protect us first. Our territory is not made of rubber, we cannot extend it to host these people. Our security is at stake. Do the authorities realise that, if this continues, our security will be compromised? What are we waiting for? Is necessary that we have to wait, for the situation to become a national crisis, to the extent, of compromising the security of the honest Maltese citizen?

Mark Gatt

Feb 7th 2009, 11:11

Just want to know when is it our time to protest???

R Dimech

Feb 7th 2009, 11:05

@ P Bellia. Ezatt! Since when do we need the EU's blessing to do something within our sovereign rights? Under the circumstances (and given the EU's lack of solidarity), any serious government mindful of its PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS ITS CITIZENS, would declare a state of emergency and (i) declare that Malta is 'temporarily' withdrawing from any international conventions (set up decades ago to cater for totally different circumstances) that oblige it to take in illegal immigrants, (ii) Malta will continue to respect its SAR obligations ONLY IN GENUINE CASES OF ACCIDENTAL DISTRESS, ie whoever puts him/herself in jeopardy on the assumption that as soon as they verge beyond the Libyan SAR area, they are assured of a pickup, it will no longer be the case, (iii) detention centres, while not taking the form of a prison within, are to be surrounded by a strong enough perimeter that ensures no one gets in or out without permission. Otherwise we will continue to be the laughing stock of everyone, including our guests, to our peril.
And get on with those blessed repatriations and 'voluntary' transfers to other countries!

a.grech

Feb 7th 2009, 11:05

Welcome to the New World Order

mario borg

Feb 7th 2009, 11:04

So many words, so many comments but not a single one from the authorities.

emanuel cortis

Feb 7th 2009, 11:03

The only viable solution to this problem is , once they reach Malta, supply them with whatever they need: water, fuel etc, wait for calm weather ,and then escort them to the median line between Malta and Italy (their true destination). Their dream will be just at hand's reach !. And let one of their former colonialists face the music. Someone may remind us that there is a reciprocal agreement between the Maltese and the Italian Governments for the return of migrants who leave either Malta or Italy. Well, as everyone is doing, scrap the agreement. Let us emulate the Italians. They are taking drastic measures that will make it impossible for illegal immigrants to set foot in Italy. This will mean an automatic invasion of Malta. We are already witnessing the phenomenon . Wake up Malta before it is too late or before we will be forced to defend our Islands !!.

louise vella

Feb 7th 2009, 10:55

Where does the buck stop? Gonzi is Prime Minister and he has been showing a culpable nonchalance as the problem of illegal immigration has blown into a crisis. What concrete measures has Gonzi proposed (let alone implemented!) to stop the growing influx?

If Gonzi belongs to the same way of thinking as UNHCR and JRS, he should say so - at least we shall know where we stand.

patrick bellia

Feb 7th 2009, 10:45

Hawn hekk il maggorranza tan nies anzi kwazi kullhadd jghid li la gvern u lanqas l oppizzjoni ma huma jittakiljaw din il problema, u sewwa kullhadd qieghed jghid, mela xi hadd qatt kien jobsor li wara problema bhall din li ghandna bl immigranti illegali jivvutaw favur li nzommu prigunieri min guantanamo. basta hfna kliem sabih fuq tv, ghad jasal zmien li fuq dawk id daghajjes li gew ghad irridu mmorru ahna, jekk mhux ahna it tfal taghna, jien nixtieq insaqsi x jigri jekk xi gurnata jiddeciedu li jitlqu xi 4 dghajjes mimlijin u jigu hawn xi 1000 f daqqa? hawnhekk l azzjoni dejjem nehduha wara li jkun trad wisq.

Marcel Dingli

Feb 7th 2009, 10:36

Dear People, why is it now that you are complaining ? Weren`t you warned??

Patrick bellia

Feb 7th 2009, 10:32

jikkoregini xi hadd jekk sejjer zball, sa fejn naf jien fil kostittuzzjoni tal pajjiz ma tindahalx l unjoni ewropea, ghax rigward l abort jekk ikun hemm il htiega isir tibdil fil kostittuzzjoni biex ma jiddahhalx, allura ghaliex ma jsirx l istess u ghanqas immigranti illegali ma nkunu nistghu inzommu?

G. Camilleri

Feb 7th 2009, 10:28

If they are protesting about being kept in detention 'illegally' and being deported while at the same time consuming our social benefits without paying tax like maltese citizens do, when the vast majority of them are economic migrants, i think its high time maltese citizens protested:

- against the impotence of their government and opposition in dealing with the whole situation,

- in support of their army and police force, who with limited resources (we all saw the article on the times about the insufficient protective police gear) and limited personnel (the ratio is 1:50 in the detention centres!!)

- in support of all fellow citizens living in birzebbugia / marsa / balzan / safi who are seeing their property value going down and have to put up with these 'great escapes', living in fear of a mass break-out..

@ louise vella

its true what you said about the deportation (if it ever happened) of those 262.. why is it that deportations arent given media coverage as much as arrivals?? I would also like commenters to inform us who is paying for the flights back.. seeing that they came from so many different countries!!!

M Borg

Feb 7th 2009, 10:28

Dear Dr John Damai ......

You know what agony is? If you live in Marsa or B'Bugia and you cannot walk SAFELY in the streets of your hometown. That's agony dear John. These people have no right whatsoever to rebel against our armed forces. In the detention centres they're by far more comfortable then in their countries so they should just stay put.

J Debono

Feb 7th 2009, 10:26

lgalea
i agree with you and most people about the worrying problem and the fact that our government is in a situation that is dificult to control.
I was though, withdrawn from entering the website you listed in your blog, for the simple reason that although I do not sypathise with the present government, i still am in favour of Europe and most maltes are. it cost LP the last 2 elections.
Therfore a website for such a purpose as to gain support should not include partisan support and should only focus on the matter in hand.I am sure that many people share my thoughts so make it happen.
These illegales will multiply and gradually take over our Island and our beliefs. Now we are witnessing the income of more women and children in larger quantities
Our future and the future of our children is being taken away slowly but surely.

Joanne Micallef

Feb 7th 2009, 10:26

Our Natioal Security is None Existant, most probably the illegal immigrants escaped in order not to be deported just like their previous 5 fellow illegals.

Hux il-Mifsud Bonnici darba fuq program qal li hu qieghed fuq is-siggu, u hu missu jirrizenja ghax johrog car kemm ministeru daqsekk importanti ghal pajjiez ma jghoddx ghalieh.

albert leone ganado

Feb 7th 2009, 10:26

As the number of illegals keeps increasing we will soon reach a stage when our security forces will not be able to control them. What then , will we have to surrender our island to an unstoppable invasion from the south?

P Debono

Feb 7th 2009, 10:21

I wonder what our minister Carmelo has to say about this...

So far no statement from either the government or the opposition.

This is the sad state of affairs we live in, that the very people we elected to represent us in Parliament are turning a blind eye towards the will of the vast majority of the Maltese population.

J Oatmon

Feb 7th 2009, 10:17

It is very obvious that Malta has undermanned courts of law which are too small, undermanned detention centres which are too small and insecure, and an undermanned police force which cannot cope with ongoing crime rates. Also obviously the prisons are too small, and that is why everyone gets a suspended sentence - unless you are a killer or drug dealer.

The answer is to make up a proper 20 year long term plan, then go to the EU with the plan, and get the funds (or some of the funds) and build what is needed - things are going to get worse not better!

This 'do the minimum possible and hope for better times' attitude, just will not work.

J.Borg

Feb 7th 2009, 10:15

About time John Bundy re-launches his most famous song.......i think it would make a hit again....!!!!!!

Aaron Bugeja

Feb 7th 2009, 09:55

ara vera pajjiz tal-mickey mouse ahna ta, il-poplu kollu ma jridx lil dawn l-imigranti illegali, u il-gvern ma jaghmel xejn. Qumu minn hemm qabel ma iharbtulna il-paci li ghandna bejnietna. Jien naqbel mal-petizzjoni u nispera li kulhadd jaqbez ghal pajjizu, ghax ftit ftit qeghdin nitilfu pajjizna l-ahwa.

louise vella

Feb 7th 2009, 09:48

Above it says:
“Last night's escape capped a difficult week for the detention service, which had to accommodate an additional 417 migrants who arrived since Sunday.”

But yesterday’s The Times, in a reference to the group of 262+, said:
“Most of the migrants who arrived on Sunday were immediately repatriated after it was established that they hailed from Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, Libya, Pakistan and India. The group also included 30 Nigerians.”

Is it now confirmed that the repatriations (of which we have never been given any details or proof) did not in fact happen?

Can Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici please clarify?

Herbert Guillaumier

Feb 7th 2009, 09:44

Let's create a detention centre on Filfla.

lgalea

Feb 7th 2009, 09:43

Michelle Dali, G.Zammit
A petition by the Campaign for National Independence and Allejanza Nazzjonali is being collected, first in Marsa and Birzebbuga and then the rest of Malta. Those who want to stop this illegal immigrants invasion and prevent our island being taken over should sign the petition. You can visit their website at www.cnimalta.org

ALBERT FENECH
Filfla should be surrounded by a 30 metre high concrete wall and all illegal immigrants deposited there with patrol boats surrounding the area to make sure that none of them tries to escape.

Gonezipn, CMB are you still here?

Where are you hibernating?

GET RID OF ALL ILLEGAL IMMIGRAnTS.
THIS IS WHAT THE PEOPLE WHO ELECTED YOU ARE DEMANDING.
THEY ELECTED YOU TO PROTECT THEM, NOT THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRAnTS.
SHAME, SHAME AND SHAME AGAIN ON YOU FOR ALLOWING THIS ILLEGAL IMMIGRAnTS INVASION AS YOU YOURSELF CALLED IT.

Kenneth Galea

Feb 7th 2009, 09:42

Total fiasco and utter mess and chaos. It is clear that the authorities cannot cope and we do not have the means to keep large numbers of illegal immigrants in detention. Sometimes I do wonder if the group which arrived on Sunday was indeed repatriated or they are held in detention. The conditions at Hal-Safi undoubtedly are getting more and more cramped and the frustration is spiralling out of control. This island is finished and I blame both the PN and the PL. The PN are of course responsible because they are in government and the PL encouraged illegal immigration at the time when these illegals started arriving. I remember clearly that the PL was accusing the government that these illegals were kept detained and treated like dogs. Both the PN and the PL are as bad as each other on this national crisis and the Maltese people bear the brunt of it all!!!!!!!

Dr John Damai

Feb 7th 2009, 09:41

Why not let them all go free? They will be freed in the future any way; you are just delaying the agony.

Nick Pace Debono

Feb 7th 2009, 09:37

Ok so they escape then what?!
When they are caught what happens? I guess they are arrested and sent to Kordin as law breakers?or just put back in detention?! since they broke the law by escaping shouldnt they be treated accordingly?
Im very worried for neighbourhoods around Safi and elsewhere, where people must be very worried knowing that there are illegal migrants running loose. I sincerely hope that this migrant situation is taken care of once and for all.

Mark Piscopo

Feb 7th 2009, 09:29

Another Drastic story, Surely there must be a call for application to engage more policeman because they cannot cope with the rate of criminality let alone with this saga of illegal immigrants.!!

Michelle Dali

Feb 7th 2009, 09:28

Another 417 migrants arrived since Sunday - 5 more migrants escape detention.

These daily news items are increasingly alarming. If things go on as they are, it doesn't bear thinking about what's going to happen to Malta this year! These people cause nothing but trouble and the more we get the more trouble they cause. Clearly, the saying 'there is strength in numbers' is true.

When is this madness going to stop? Our government is impotent. Someone suggested that we, the legitimate citizens of Malta, organise a petition declaring we will accept no more illegal immigrants into this country, and take it directly to Brussels. I think this is the only way we can make a difference. Our elected representatives are unwilling to tackle this grave problem with decisive action. This country is at the mercy of criminals and this is unacceptable. There is a limit to everything and we have gone well beyond that limit. It's time to unite and make our voices heard in a peaceful and dignified manner.

ALBERT FENECH

Feb 7th 2009, 09:16

At this rate of escapees it seems only one alternative remains - a detention centre in Comino and then escapees will have nowhere to go!

CLIFFORD VELLA

Feb 7th 2009, 09:00

Kemm qedin sew.... Imbasta hafna pozi u giri ta karozzi tal-pulizija. U kif il-ministru mhux qed jissemma xejn??????

G.Zammit

Feb 7th 2009, 08:46

Why not we have a referendum about this whole illegal immigration saga. This is the only democratic means for the citizen to decide on matters of which the goverment is affraid to decide.