Monday, 16th March 2009 - 20:17CET
Muscat presents action plan on immigration
'Malta must not exclude suspending its international obligations'
Opposition leader Joseph Muscat today presented an action plan on immigration and said that if the Prime Minister was not prepared to adopt it, he should put it to a referendum and let the people decide.
Speaking in Parliament, Dr Muscat called for tougher action by Malta. The government, he said, should establish the number of migrants which Malta could host in a suitable and sustainable manner. And if the international community did not act and the number of arrivals continued to exceed what Malta could handle, Malta should not exclude the suspension of its international obligations.
At the beginning of his 90-minute speech, Dr Muscat insisted that legality and the national interest were at the heart of the issue of illegal immigration.
There was no single solution for immigration, but there were ideas which should yield better results than the government’s current policies.
The fundamental issue was not race or gender, but rule of law. If a person obeyed the law he/she should have a right for all protection.
The first point of legality was that one should enter a country legally. The trips which were bringing the migrants to Malta were organized by criminals and current systems encouraged illegality. Therefore progressive governments in Europe had put the national interest before anything else. The Brown and Zapetero governments had been accused of being too tough. He felt they were being realistic, having drawn red lines in their national interest. In the US, President Obama had also said he was considering a heavier military presence at the borders to fight illegality. This was not racism, but putting the national interest first.
Dr Muscat said the Maltese had given examples throughout their history to show they were tolerant.
However tolerance succeeded when numbers were within manageable limits and based on rule of law. In the past 10 years,12,131 illegal immigrants had come to Malta of whom 13 percent were women and children. Last year a record 2,757 arrived, along with 758 in the first two months of this year.
Some 5,262 migrants were still in Malta, living in detention centres, open centres, or in the community.
Given the growth of this problem, there was a need for a plan of action that matched current circumstances, and which respected human dignity in the context of the national interest. The problem would not be solved overnight, but this did not mean it could not be managed better.
ADMISSION POLICY FOR DETENTION CENTRES
Listing the points of his action plan, Dr Muscat said the PL was proposing that rather than grouping all migrants together in detention centres, there should be an admissions policy whereby women were separated from men because in detention one saw a higher possibility of abuse on women and the vulnerable. Of course, one had to make allowances for families.
Furthermore one should separate those who were likely to qualify for protection from those who obviously did not qualify. One should also separate the migrants according to ethnic groups so as to remove another potential source of conflict.
Children should not be put in detention.
RESPECT FOR MALTESE CULTURE
While Maltese society had to understand the desperation which at least some of the migrants had experienced, the migrants too needed to understand and respect the Maltese way of living and culture. They had to understand that women had a right to wear what they wished, that people queued for what they needed, and they did not relieve themselves in public. They needed to adopt to Maltese norms so as to help the Maltese understand them better There should therefore be courses for community living for the migrants.
TRAINING WHILE IN DETENTION
Dr Muscat said another source of problems was that migrants had nothing to do in detention. Forced labour was not acceptable but the migrants should be given education and training, including community living, English, and respect to authority.
DETENTION WHICH RESPECTED HUMAN DIGNITY
Dr Muscat said there was no alternative to detention in Malta and the Opposition therefore backed the government’s detention policy. But conditions in detention centres had to be acceptable. Current conditions were shameful. The PL had already called for an admissions policy. It was also underlining the importance of discipline. One could not tolerate disrespect for detention officers. Discipline was lacking in detention centres. There could be several reasons for this, including sheer numbers, but one could not have a situation where everyone could do what he wished. It was also important that there was security around the detention centres. The current situation was a farce. Furthermore, facilities had to be suitable for people and appropriate for the cultures these migrants came from.
REPORT TO PARLIAMENT
Dr Muscat said the Opposition was calling for regular reports to Parliament on the state of detention centres. It was not right that such reports were only drawn up for foreign agencies. A parliamentary committee should be able to visit the centres and speak to the detention officers and the migrants.
TRAINING
Dr Muscat said he wished to thank the security services for their work despite being under-resourced and under-paid and sometimes, even under-trained. The security services needed the tools to be able to work more efficiently.
ASSISTANCE TO COMMUNITIES
Dr Muscat said communities where open centres were located should be assisted. Some migrants respected their neighbours and helped in the communities. But there had also been problems created not by race, but illegalities. In Birzebbuga some migrants placed stones in the middle of the road and people’s cars were damaged. In Marsa residents saw migrants relieve all their natural needs in the middle of the road. In Safi and Kirkop residents locked their doors whenever they heard a helicopter flying low, because migrants would have escaped, and some were found on people’s roofs.
ADMINISTRATIVE SETUP
Dr Muscat said that despite the growth of this issue, the administrative set-up had not been improved and responsibilities were shared between various ministries and departments, causing confusion and lack of focus. The Home Affairs Ministry did not even have an immigration department. The Opposition felt there should be a person with executive powers equivalent to a minister who would focus solely on immigration.
FIGHTING ILLEGALITY
Dr Muscat said those who obeyed the law should not be put at a disadvantage by those who broke it. For example, the government should stop awarding contracts to contractors who were found to employ and exploit immigrants, paying them a pittance. Such practices should stop because they were an incentive to illegality.
EQUALITY
Dr Muscat said equality was important. One aspect which irritated the Maltese was that migrants jumped the queue in hospitals and health centres. This issue could be solved with appointments given for visits to clinics. Furthermore, more doctors should visit the detention centres, removing the need for the migrants to go to other clinics. Furthermore, employment for the same post should require the same qualifications. At present, the Maltese needed far higher qualifications to be engaged as care workers among the migrants than migrants themselves.
BURDEN SHARING
Dr Muscat said one could not expect progress in burden sharing, despite the Immigration pact, unless effective action was taken by Malta. The current agreement was voluntary and not binding because the government had been weak. The Opposition was proposing that the government should request the EU presidency and the Commission to coordinate and establish how many migrants would be taken by other countries. Furthermore the Dublin II agreement should be revised.
It was not satisfactory that the Commission vice president, Jacques Barrot had said there would be a small pilot project on burden sharing by the end of next year. And there was no commitment of what would happen next. He feared, Dr Muscat said, that this was another tactic by the Commission to win time. But the problem was pressing for Malta. Malta wanted action, not experiments.
If there was no clear and agreed timeframe to make burden-sharing effective, the government should suspend its membership of the Immigration Pact.
IMMIGRATION NUMBERS
Dr Muscat said the government should consider releasing itself from some provisions of the Dublin II agreement. Firstly, Malta should establish how many migrants it could host in a decent manner which would enable integration. The numbers had to be sustainable. At present numbers were far too high.
The calculation of the number of migrants should consider not only geographic but also economic factors.
When that number was exceeded, the government should show its teeth, not with migrants, but by suspending administrative procedures of Dublin II, such as the fingerprinting of all migrants. This was what other countries did. This meant that when a migrant moved on and was re-arrested, a country could not send him back to the EU country he came from.
If the EU didnot change Dublin II and numbers continued to rise, Malta shold show that it preferred to defend the national interest.
VETO IN THE EU
Malta, Dr Muscat said, needed to be firm and not be an accomplice with the human traffickers because of outdated rules. When the sustainable number of migrants who could be accommodated was exceeded, Malta should use its veto where unanimity was needed in the EU. This veto should be used sporadically even in areas which had nothing to do with illegal immigration, until the other EU countries took notice and agreed to change the rules. True, the veto drew political repercussions. But doing nothing caused repercussions too, Dr Muscat said.
What needed to be changed, first and foremost, was the rule whereby the EU country which first received the migrants remained responsible for them.
FRONTEX
Malta also needed to bring about a change in the terms of reference of Frontex because it was ineffective. More countries needed to participate in Frontex, or else the agency should have its own resources for year-round operations.
DEVELOPMENT AID
Dr Muscat said Malta should campaign for greater development aid and an updated agricultural policy in the EU so that conditions in Africa could improve, thus easing the need for people to migrate. This was especially the duty of those European countries which as colonisers, had exploited the countries from where the migrants came. Perhaps there was a need for something like the Marshall Plan for Africa. But such aid should be given on condition that they facilitated the repatriation of migrants.
LIBYA
Dr Muscat said Libya should be engaged in the issue of immigration, and he felt the government was working in this direction. Malta should seek the same agreement as reached between Libya and Italy and Spain and Mauretania and Senegal. However he had to criticized what appeared to be a lack of commitment by the Libyan authorities to tackle immigration.
INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS
Dr Muscat said Malta should be ready to raise the ante. Not by letting anyone drown. But by drawing the attention of the international community to move things. If they did not budge, Malta should make it clear that it was prepared to move ahead and if numbers grew, it could not exclude starting to interpret international obligations in a different way which was more suited to the national interest. Malta should even consider suspending such rules for a specific period.
This did not mean allowing people to drown, but helping them and then seeing them on their way.
One could not allow people in, out of respect for international norms, only to put them in facilities which were not even fit for dogs.
Dr Muscat said that in 2005 when migration was far lower, even Tonio Borg said Malta could suspend its international obligations.
Dr Muscat said the government should shoulder its responsibilities and follow this plan In so doing it would be backed by the Opposition. If Dr Gonzi did not want to shoulder the burden, he should call a referendum to see the people’s view on this plan of action.
What was clear, Dr Muscat concluded, was that current government policy was unpopular and ineffective. A change was needed.
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Comments
Labour MEP's voted to host Guantanamo prisoners. Shame...
I though so when he got elected last June. But unfortunately I am seeing Joseph Muscat doing the same teatrics as his mentor Alfred Sant. Critcizing everything and everyone and with labour in power we get the same status quo.
One has to bear in mind that Joseph Muscat and co sit within the Socialist Group in the European Parliament. I doubt very much Joseph Muscat stand given how the Maltese Socialist have voted re the Guantanamo inmates. It is easy being an armchair critic u bejn il-kliem u il-fatti hemm bahar jikkumbatti.
I clearly recall that Dr Muscat's first visit as leader of the MLP was to Libya.
Using our vito power in the EU would only create long term problems with the other EU member countries.
Mintoff used the vito while he was on holiday in the Med, he kept a conference from being concluded for seven days.Nobody likes to be threatened , even for a good cause.
So far Dr Muscat has kept to his promise to be positive and proative. His new way of thinking, coupled by his charisma and relentless energy is giving the local political scenario a new dimension and a much needed fresh breath of life.
Slowly but surely he is winning over to the PL fold new faces from all walks of life.
The quicker Dr Muscat is entrusted with the helm of this island the better because otherwise this beloved country of ours is gropping in pitch darkness.
Being in touch with the nation's pulse on this one is necessary.
I think Dr. Muscat is simply doing his job and putting the citizens' interest first. I don't care about Dublin I and II, I want "Malta tal-Maltin" u flusi lura.
We cannot accept any more as if we do we will sink - illegal immigrants and all.
When some one like j.m .... a copycat and the most misleader ever in the oppostion,
by force that, OVVJAMENT dejjem kontra dak li huwa jejd , WHY ? He and the alike are Simply
not credible !!! and in 4 ( four ) years time he is keep on with the, not only the anti Gov't nonesence, But to all our Beloved Country MALTA. sorry ta but you moan to much !
The P.N in Gov't are there to Stay all the Way !
Kasttelli f' Lajra.................
YES there MUST be a notion of a quota. Let’s say the problem gets worse (as it WILL) and we begin to receive 40000, 60000 or 80000 migrants per year. Will you still stand by your argument to sit and wave a tiny white flag claiming that it was a helpless situation anyway?
Do you wish to spend more on (ILLEGAL) immigrants than you spend on research or education? I say the figure should be fixed at about 0.1% of GDP MAX, give and take half a boat load.The rest (ONLY IF IN DISTRESS) should be fed, washed, and reloaded onto the next boat to Italy, France, Greece or indeed Libya within days.It's not our problem...It never was!
WE HAVE TO ACCEPT THAT WE CAN ONLY SOLVE PART OF THE PROBLEM!
Our neighbours WILL HAVE TO SHOULDER THE REST, whether they like it or not!
It doesn't matter what International Law says. It’s totally irrelevant in the face emergency. No law can ever defy physical limitations PERIOD!
There you go again, you can't make a reasoning without falling into petty politics. This kind of reasoning is harming the PN. Since you live abroad you have no right to give the impression that PN supporters think like you. PN voters are tired just as Pl supporters of the total indifference theEU is showing regarding Malta. We all feel left on our own and just a couple of million euros they give us will not change anything. Muscat is right we should use the veto its the only music to which they will pay attention. Inaction will lead to a bloody future for this tiny rock. Dr. Gonzi should listen to what the people say, he was elected to defend the rights of the Maltese people above all.
Mr.Martinelli to criticize the government does not mean one wishes it fails, on the other side the PM and the cabinet should stop all the hype when they get a few millions from the EU about this issue. They are seen by all as selling our country and interests for money. Mintoff was right on one thing Malta L-ewwel u qabel kollox
BUT... Also... How Unfortunate it was, that The Hon Prime Minister,'..propably "..MILL-QALB.." too, had decided to ABSENT himself from parlament for this Dr. Muscat's important historical speech.. EVEN when it was previously suggested by the Opposition itself and agreed by all, that no votes will be taken afterwards...???!!!???!!!
Is this the kind of parlamentary behaviour, a Prime Minister should confess, especially were the interest of the whole nation is at jeopardy..!! ....What a Shame.....!!!!
On the other hand... Thanks a million Dr. Muscat... Keep it up...
This is the PM that MAYBE we deserve like with regards to the rise in W/E tariffs when he said " Ser nivvota kontra l-mozzjoni. U HA NIVVOTA BIL-QALB "
Remember all those billboards prior the election with Gonzi`s face , with tears nearly coming down his face to convince us what a pair of PAR IDEJN SODI he has???
What a farce it was, but now its too late!!!
JOSEPH you are the PRESENT and FUTURE of our BELOVED country!!!
Keep it up PL
I have to admit that the MLP never impressed me in the past whether it was policies, political manners or plain competence. However, as time passes I am sensing a very big change.
The PL action plan on immigration is a "Master Piece"... They very effectively grasped the reality of the situation, the opinion of the people, the big risks we face and they also managed to put the whole issue in perspective.
I am also satisfied that the position taken is bold, probably effective, and YET still moderate and humane. It still shows that we Maltese are an intrinsically hospitable lot, ready to help and that we understand the plight of these people. However, it also credits the fact there OUR RESOURCES ARE LIMITED AND HAVE TO BE RATIONED CAREFULLY.
International obligations should generally be observed but NOT at any cost. Ensuring that our country remains a viable habitable place for its citizens is the sovereign obligation of any government.
This is a national issue, Malta has to stand up for it's own rights and in the EU parlament we must realy make our voice listened too. If not listened too then we must take our own measures back home. Although we are Europeans, when we go to work and live abroad, still us Maltese we are not treated like we treat any imigrant that comes to Malta. I live in Poland at this time and I taste this everyday. We must not think that living in a foreign country has no dark sides. All countries have their own laws and you must abide
The imigrant wants to a proper life in Malta, then he should live our way, and abide to our laws.
START addressing this issue, and not just talking. When we go to Brussels not just smiles and photos. Show that we have a voice, an atititude, a brain and that back in our homeland, we decide what is best for us.
Hey, here comesthe buck again, How comfortable of you to comment from a world away. I bet that while writing youare comfortably sitting in front of your fireplace. And not like us who are compelled on a daily basis to see and feel what is going on in our country. It is you who is and feels comfortable as an armchair critice
I thought that Mr. Muscat is more into International Politics due his stay in Brussels. The 3 politicians mentioned by Muscat are 3 politicians that manage to win elections due the block-vote of ethnic minorities. And they manage to win such a powerful block-vote, because they took political stands in favor of ethnic minorities.
New Labour in the UK took decisive continuous stands in favor of ethnic minorities by providing them with Social Housing and passing a number of ‘equality rights’ laws that resulted in positive discrimination for non-English residents. Zapatero’s Socialist Party ‘legalised’ over 20,000 Africans that made it to Spanish shores in a single year alone. And Obama, approved a bill that would have granted amnesty to around 12 million illegal aliens from Mexico.
Mr. Muscat is trying to secure anti-immigrants votes for the next MEP elections, but at the same time, pave the way for the future to confirm the African block-vote!
Having said that I want to put it on record that irrespective of my political colours, I fully concurr with Dr.Muscat's efforts to somehow mitigate this untenable situation which, together with Dr.Josie Muscat, we now have two political parties who are fighting the same cause. What remains now, is the party in government who has now the ball in its feet and what's worse the responsibility of having to find a solution to this crisis.
For his proposals to be considered to be an action plan, they need to be new, realistic and not already being carried out.
His 20 points are either already being implemented, simply unimplementable, or else part of the Pact for Immigration and Asylum that he still believes that Malta should not have approved.
Bet PN would get your and your family's vote. Bet you too that it has nothing to do with competence, good governance, corruption-free politics etc, but has all to do with your passion for gonzipn.
Isn't that against the law?
People who enter the country legally do not need protection. It is people who enter illegally because they have to, who need protection.
Dr Muscat should be careful how he speaks. He is sounding more and more like the other Dr Muscat.
1. I am assuming that since you know the state of the toilets then you know who got them in that state. if not than go there and find out for yourself. for them its not a matter of hygiene but a matter of disrespecting the passers by.
2. the soldiers skip the que to avoid them getting too agitated while waiting and cause further trouble.
3. will you respect someone if they threw excrements at you and verbally abuse you everytime they see you? and if you try to break up a fight between different groups they end up trying to hurt you too.
It is now ZOMBIEPN time.
PL assumes that all of them are trainable or are willing to be trained, which is not the case.
Will he forced them to train.
Also, Malta cannot afford to build centres based on ethnicity, if that is what is meant.
All in all, I do not think that anyone should find disagreement with such proposals.
Half of the population minus something, prefers the status quo and submission.
Half the population plus something prefers political action.
There are consequences in everything. One should weigh the opportunity cost of doing nothing.
I agree with this phrase:
"The trips which were bringing the migrants to Malta were organized by criminals and current systems encouraged illegality. "
Therefore it's time to act and not waste our time playing the usual political game of criticising the leader of the opposition or the Prime Minister simply because we are coming from the opposing political camp.
Joseph has proposed the way forward , he knows the inner working of the EU, that is unless pressure is applied at the right time at the right venues, no EU country is going to concede that THEY as large countries have to put their words into action and ACT on solidarity !
We can look after and educate these unfortunate brothers and sisters ONLY if their number is limited, and then focus to give them a qualitative standard of living, education and for a few,- proportionate to our size and resources-, integration.
Joseph, has opened the door, it is now up to Dr Gonzi to stop hiding behind the inertia of his policy of DOING NOTHING. Take a leaf from Joseph, he showed you the way; it is up to YOU NOW DR GONZI to MAKE IT HAPPEN!
"Nice words by Dr. Muscat. Typical Labour. First they sit on the fence and then when it is opportune to gain political mileage they come out with bright ideas"
The nationalist apologists took the tagline word for word and this is the mess they ended up in ---->
1) R. Caruana (29 minutes ago)
"Nice words by Dr. Muscat. Typical Labour. First they sit on the fence and then when it is opportune to gain political mileage they come out with bright ideas"
2)Anthony Briffa (1 hour, 23 minutes ago)
Nice words by Dr. Muscat. Typical Labour. First they sit on the fence and then when it is opportune to gain political mileage they come out with bright ideas. We have already seen a few instances like this this year;
PN is the PAST
Thank You.
Grat job JM and the PL. GonziPN your days are over. Please make space for the PL who is the true representative of the Maltese and not a representative of the few like the GonziPN.
Start collecting signatures. I will sign!
Bright ideas indeed! Again, instead of the promised 'terremot' 'Joseph' came out with a roaring mouse. Most of what he is proposing is either already there or is next to impossible to achieve. Fancy thoughts and grandouise words wil get us nowhere.
Our national interest is at stake; we cannot let partisan interests divide us. Like our ancestors, we are duty bound to protect our territory and resources for our children. As I said in my earlier posts, we have already taken our share of illegal immigrants. Moreover, Africa is a huge landmass with huge natural resources; Africans should be helped to develop their own Africa.
If you have such an agenda against the soldiers who are doing an incredibly admirable job despite being massively under-staffed and under-resourced, why don't you accommodate a few illegals in your own home? I'm sure the soldiers would appreciate your help, while at the same time you would be doing something more meaningful for the immigrants you hold so dear to your heart, instead of typing away at your keyboard in your cosy chair.
I think that you should direct your words to Simon Busuttil.......what has his Frontex did to Malta.....nothing as immirants still continued coming and these not only in summer....when patrols were supposed to be made....but now we have immigrants arriving in winter as well.
I think you are tooooooo blue eyed to say these words as everybody knows what Joseph Muscat did in europe, no matter what David casa says about him.
Grow up people and let's start saying what is black black and what is white white.
After all this is a national issue and as always since his election Joseph Muscat offered his help on national issues, but GONZIPN always rebuffed them.
I see another Dom in Joseph approach...he has the guts....keep up this spirit Joseph.
Does this quote not say it all? Suspension of international obligations? Is that a solution or is it imitating third world dictatorships who spite international laws?
"The government, he said, should establish the number of migrants which Malta could host in a suitable and sustainable manner", However Dr. Muscat never indicated what he means by a 'sustainable number of (illegal) immigrants'. Is it ten, a hundred, a thousand?
It could be easily argued that even one illegal immigrant is too many however the reality is that these immigrants come in boatloads and it is impossible to take half a boatload because in Joseph's mind, the 'sustainable' number has been met.
If the government had to use its veto at the EU, if it abandoned international obligations and if in a referendum the voters say 'no' to more immigrants, will that stop more from coming ashore?
Shall we let them perish at sea, because our 'quota' has been exceeded?
Talk is cheap. Presenting workable ideas takes more intelligence and experience.
1) The toilets at Marsa are awful. So if migrants relieve themselves in the road, you know why.
2) Immigrants jump the queue because they are accompanied by soldiers who prefer not to wait, not because the hospital discriminates against Maltese.
3) Even the soldiers need to practise respect - in small things like looking at them when they speak to them, and taking their everyday problems seriously, not as just another complaint.
However, it seems that the suggestions are not bold enough as would be required by the situation being experienced and that which is likely to be experienced as summer approaches, and therefore fall short of presenting a holistic solution.
With the PN fast asleep and the PL's proposals being meek, there is only one remaining option ... and that is to adopt AN's proposals: the Maltese people demand it.
Agreed the illegal immigrant’s administration have to be centralised with authority and accountability.
Doctors should visit the migrants at the centres- do they need a health clinic? Mater Die is a bit over stretched!
Agreed the EU is pulling both our legs and everything else, but how do you propose to force burden sharing and the revision of the Dublin II agreement.
So what should we do draw an arrangement with the traffickers to ferry only the required number?
We need to enforce the return of the visitors to point of departure. You know it the EU knows it and the Colonel know that we can do F—k all about it!
Agreed those who milked the cow dry when it was young should now help these countries but that will take forever which is a wee bit too long for our state of affairs!
So far Libya took aid from the EU & Italy and gave the illegal immigrants in return. While Spain agreed with Mauretania and Senegal after more than 70000 illegal immigrants were legalised
What the Opposition leader Joseph Muscat said in Parliament personally I find not thing new nor concrete solutions to solve the influx and a program to repatriate all the illegal immigrants.
Let us not forget, these illegal immigrants are not refugees as we are told to believe but economic immigrants, they cross Africa stop in Libya for a year or so, work to save for their trip to cross to Europe.-Do you call these refugees? I rest my case.
It seems that both the Government and the opposition Leader are unable to tackle and perhaps afraid to take the bull by the horn, and act in the interest of our beloved Country
before its to late.
Why hasn't Dr. Muscat taken advantage of such an excellent or special relationship and asked Colonel Ghaddafi to do him and Malta a big favour by stopping illegal immigrants from using his country's shores to sail towards Malta? It would have been more effective and fruitful than the many proposals he made tonight in Parliament. After all Dr. Muscat is at the moment a friend in need and therefore a friend indeed and I believe that Ghaddafi will satisfy his friend's needs.
Shame on you Mr. Borg bacause you are putting your party interests before of all maltese people and your country ....how can criticise someone who is trying to do the BEST for our country and the maltese people....instead of supporting this very important issue you are talking like a closed minded because all you think of is the colour of the party you support rather than the best interests of our country..shame on you
However, why do I have the nagging feeling that this is a blueprint to make illegal immigration a permanent fixture in Malta. There are no numbers of illegal immigrants that Malta can safely take. Malta is one of the most densely populated countries in the world and one of the smallest. Malta does not need any immigrants!
And the "Immigrant Code of Conduct' rings alarm bells too. This approach had been taken by some countries, the latest was in a town in Quebec, but this was shot down as being anti-multicultural and racist.
When one culture goes against the values of the other and demands that all women, even the British ones, be covered up in a Burqha, like an Muslim leader in Britain recently said, which culture is going to win?
Our politicians should understand that the majority of Maltese do not want to integrate these people but want them out of our land. Nothing was given to the Maltese, we worked and fought hard for our country, let the immigrants go back to theirs and do the same.
Your comment is totally out of place. Preaching and pleading in the European parliament got us nowhere. Joseph Muscat is now leader of the Opposition and to-day he fully fulfilled his duties to the Nation by presenting a set of sound proposals to Government. If the government accepts these proposals he would find Joseph Muscat and the PL four square behind it.
This is what a new way of doing politics means and Joseph Muscat deserves all the praise and suport for his initiative. Had he not pushed the immigration problem to a debate in Parliament we would still be kept waiting and waiting for Europe to do something while we continue to be invaded (Simon Busuttil's words)....And yes we are a European sovereign state like the others and if need be we must show our clout by using our veto unless Europe budges.
Congratulations and thank you Dr Muscat
I was ashamed listening to the speeches from Parliament with all speakers trying their best to make the people lump the integration of illegal immigrats within Maltese society.
Let them know that they are just wasting their time.
No politicant and no political party is going to get our families votes until they make it a point, no, an electoral declaration that not a single illegal immigrat will be allowed to remain in Malta.
We shall continue writing our messages on our ballot papers until the politicants and political parties oblige.
Joseph Muscat and the PL have not realised that the world have changed and that gun shot diplomacy doesn't work. What could have worked was for Joseph Muscat during his time at the EU Parliament took a hard stand and as mentioned before, persuaded his brothers in arms, the Socialist, to back him up.
What we have heard tonight from Joseph Muscat is nothing new, it has been written and commented on by many in the past.
It is easy to play with peoples emotions. And for that shame on you, Joseph Muscat.
Today, five years after Malta's accession, I cannot hide my disappointment at the EU for not treating Malta and its people with the respect it deserves. The EU, and all member states, know that Malta cannot take further immigrants. Our country cannot offer its best hospitality services to these unfortunate individuals due to many constraints. This is resulting in an increasing and worry xenophobia.
It is a pity that the Maltese government is not doing enough to pressure other member states to show their solidarity with our country. It's a pity that the USA has helped Malta more than the EU.
At least, the Opposition and the PL are showing us that they care on this problem. The Opposition Leader is not playing the tit for tat game with the Government. It's not engaging in destructive criticism. On the other hand, it's being proactive and providing measures to how we can ease this problem.
Please spare us the partisan sour grapes...this is a great speech with sound proposals, if you can't see that it's because you're blinded by petty partisan politics.
At least appreciate Dr Muscat's initiative...had it been for the Government there would have been a status quo. At least we have an Opposition which is being proactive!
Both AN and PL made proposals. At least they should be discussed.
There is only one party in Malta who wants this to happen to you and your family.
'368. Ma nistgħux nibqgħu nassumu li l-immigranti li jkunu għadhom qed jistennew risposta fuq it-talba tagħhom għal status ta’ rifuġjati jistgħu jgħixu bl-arja. Is-sitwazzjoni preżenti tesponi lil dawn l-individwi għal xogħol li jassarhom fl-ekonomija s-sewda. Għaldaqstant, biex il-kundizzjonijiet tagħhom ikunu regolati, għandu jingħatalhom id-dritt tax-xogħol temporanju, sakemm it-talba tagħhom għal status ta’ rifuġjati tiġi pproċessata. '
This is what the Green Party Alternattiva Demokratika think about illegal immigration. This would mean, that illegal immigrants would be free after some weeks.
This manifesto does not even have the slightest mention to "burden sharing". Does the PN have a position on this? Can it ensure that other parties within the EPP endorse burden sharing.
I was listening to JPO on Bondi+ and he declared that the "voluntary burden sharing" agreed by EU Member States will not really materialise. What is the position of the Prime Minister and the Government on this?
It’s a fresh breath of Dr Muscat’s speech biased on facts and not emotional. Well done and please Mr. Borg this Government has been in power for 20 years and what has he done about it……Nothing like most other important issues.
I read carefully this report and I am struck by three of his points:
1) the need for a just admission policy where males are separated from females and children are not sent to detention centres;
2) helping immigrants to integrate into the Maltese culture by organising specific courses for them; and
3) respect of human dignity (on various levels), especially when they are in detention.
These proposals should be the concern of us all. These are proposals of a politician who is voicing the concerns of the people, and yet taking a human stance to solve this issue. This problem we are all living should be dealt with as soon as possible with all the respect to human dignity.
Again ..WELL DONE
Inkwietak jew?
Shame on our Government, the Ministers responsible and typically persons like you who have apparently no qualms in letting the immigration issue escalate over the past years. At least Dr Muscat is putting forward concrete proposals that, I can assure you, will meet with the approval of the great majority of Maltese. Well done Dr Muscat. I'm not a Labourite but I'm with you 100% on this issue.
If you think Dr. Muscat should be ashamed.... than I ask ... what about Dr. Gonzi and the present Government?
Yes he's right. And I admire this gentleman who has the spirit and courage to take this issue to the highest institution of this country and declare the PL's position - whether you agree with it or not.
The country needs honest politicians, who are not afraid, who are willing to take the lead.
No ifs or whys.
If not, he must offer a referendum, and be really in touch with people's feelings as GonziPN promised in their massmeetings before election.
Fact number 1: It seems that you support Labour`s 20 point action plan since you didnt criticise any of them. Thats positive.
Fact number 2: Lawrence Gonzi is the Prime Minister. He has done nothing for the last 10 years when he knew that doing nothing is not an option.
Fact number 3: Joseph Muscat was the best Member of the European Parliament. This is backed with a national survey.
come on ,my friend AMETTI ....IL PRIM MINISTRU TA MALTA FALLA F KOLLOX !!!!!!!!!
DAYS ARE COUNTED !
If Dr Muscat should be ashamed, what should Dr Gonzi do? Did he utter a word anywhere? or any of the PN MP's? He even refused to discuss this motion with urgency!! Come on, lets be honest with ourselves and the nation and admit that Dr Muscat is right on this one. BTW I'm not a PL fan, but what's white I have to call white
This is the progressive movement that is good for our times and good for our country. A Labour Party that is not just criticising but is offering leadership and hope backed with a 20 point action plan.
This is the change that we all believe in, not the punch and judy politics that have characterised and turned our country into a segregated two party system. Indeed, Joseph Muscat is uniting all Maltese citizens and leading the best way forward progressively and coherently.
Shame.