Sending migrants back is a must - PM
Tunisian migrants during a protest at the Ħal Far detention centre last February 19.
The government's repatriation policy of illegal immigrants was fundamental, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi told Parliament yesterday.
Concluding a two-day discussion on illegal immigration, Dr Gonzi remarked that on Monday, Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat had mentioned that 12,000 immigrants had entered Malta over the past 10 years, and that 5,200 were still here. Such figures proved that work was being done to control and repatriate.
But Dr Muscat had not mentioned repatriation during his speech; and Dr Gonzi suggested that this should be point number 21 in addition to the 20-point plan presented by Dr Muscat. Malta, he said, had repatriated more migrants than some of its neighbouring countries with larger resources.
Dr Gonzi said that it was good to hear the opposition say this was not a political issue, but this was very different to the time they accused the government of omertà. This was both incorrect and unfair. The government had nothing to hide but, rather, it wanted the opposition to be informed.
It was Malta that had put illegal immigration on the EU agenda, even though other countries had also experienced the problem. Under the French Presidency, Malta had achieved something it had long been working for - the immigration pact.
The Prime Minister said it was understandable that people were worried and the government had to be in touch with reality.
Research showed that the problem was very real, and had to be dealt with seriously, keeping in mind values and principles so characteristic of Malta.
The government was committed to finding a solution that was realistic, rather than populist.
Two points had to be considered in trying to find a solution: that it respected these people, while bearing in mind that this is a small, densely-populated island.
In fact the pact contained a specifically-written clause for a country which was so hard hit by immigration that it necessitated interventions.
Dr Gonzi praised both the AFM personnel and the police, especially those who risked their lives at sea to save others. This time last year, the government had improved the conditions for AFM personnel.
Dr Muscat could well have included a number of other points in his speech. One of these could have been the government's long-term political wisdom that understood its democratic partners. Such partnerships allowed Malta to do what it had done on Monday (refusing migrants who had been picked up near Lampedusa) according to international maritime rules.
Malta must be very watchful on what happened in international maritime fora. Efforts were afoot to change international rules so that rescued immigrants would be dropped off in the country responsible for the search-and-rescue area involved. It was important that Malta stand up to such efforts to change international maritime responsibilities and conventions. By all means Malta should make its case but in an adequate and dignified manner. The government was rightly proud of winning its battles with wisdom and getting results.
Dr Gonzi said Malta's membership of the EU permitted sharing other countries' means of transport for repatriation of immigrants refused refugee or protected status. Such aspects were included in the Immigration and Asylum Pact, which also permitted concrete help in analysing arriving immigrants.
He disagreed with Opposition Home Affairs spokesman Michael Falzon that the advent of Frontex had only served to push would-be immigrants into Malta's maritime corridors, saying it was not right to make such charges.
Dr Gonzi announced that on Monday the Committee of Civil Liberties, Justice and Internal Affairs of the European Parliament had concluded a Bill proposing a new instrument of specific rules to make countries participate in burden sharing. The next step would be to develop the system to make it work, and Malta would keep up its pressure to make this happen. (See full report on page 3).
Dr Gonzi said that notwithstanding his comments, there were indeed points of agreement between the two sides of the House, such as on the admissions policy. When implemented, this would need more centres to separate immigrants according to various criteria, because even solutions could beget new problems. Every effort would be made in this respect, but one could not expect perfection and all-round satisfaction.
Malta had its limits, born of its specific circumstances. On the opposition's proposal to set up an ad hoc parliamentary committee on illegal immigration, the Prime Minister said he thought the House Social Affairs Committee was good and functionable in this context. Some NGOs had already made presentations to the committee on illegal immigration, and the topic would continue to be discussed in that committee.
The Dublin II agreement, which among other things laid down that immigrants should be relocated in Malta if they were found to have left from here, was being discussed at EU level, and Malta was making its own stand.
Dr Gonzi agreed with the opposition on the need of an EU policy on Africa. The long-term solution to the phenomenon of illegal immigration lay only in giving the continent development opportunities. In this respect the Leader of the Opposition should also have included Malta's position at WHO, UN and EU levels on world commerce.
Concluding, Dr Gonzi said he appreciated that the issue of illegal immigration was worrisome, but it was good that there were areas of agreement between government and opposition, even on how to help refugees be more productive after being given their status. What had not come out in the discussion was the repatriation policy, which for the government was fundamental.
The two sides also agreed on the stands taken by Malta in EU and other international fora, including on IMO legislation. The discussion had served to clear areas of agreement and otherwise, and he was looking forward to continuing the exchange of views.
At the end of the Prime Minister's speech, Dr Falzon clarified that he had not said Frontex had pushed illegal immigrants to Maltese shores, but it was a fact that the number of illegal immigrants had increased in spite of Frontex patrols. (Dr Falzon's speech will be reported tomorrow)
Former Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg said that only some 30/40 illegal immigrants had landed in Malta before 2002. It was only after that year that there were larger groups, always following the same pattern.
Malta was the only place in Europe that had an automatic detention policy for those entering Malta illegally. This, Malta did in the national interest. But children and their parents were no longer held in detention centres.
Dr Borg said the government had the toughest immigration policy of all EU states. Malta had held fast even against international press criticism and when it faced false charges of not going out to help distressed boatloads.
Malta's attitude had always followed very simple guidelines: the responsibility of helping people in distress fell on the nearest vessel, and they must be brought ashore in the country closest to where they had been picked up.
Malta had used its veto power in cases which went against its interests, both in decisions that required unanimity and those that required a qualified majority, and had accepted no new onuses. It had said no even to the prospects of allowing long residence, and the relevant directive had not passed. Neither had Malta accepted the notion of releasing immigrants after six months in detention.
Dr Borg asked what should be done if Malta adopted any quota above which it did not accept, protect or help. It was not as if Malta was inviting illegal immigrants; it simply intervened in cases of distress at sea, and had been criticised for it.
Malta could not stop boats simply passing through, but when it came to distress in Malta's search-and-rescue area, which was much bigger than its territorial waters, it had no choice but to intervene and bring the distressed boat ashore.
Actually there was already a certain amount of burden sharing going on. It was better to have an agreed system of burden sharing among the greatest number of countries possible, than for Malta to have to take the burden on its own.
People who risked their lives would not mind risking it again to go on to their intended destination. Indeed, the increased mobility of such people was one among several solutions in Malta's best interests. When the US had agreed to take a good number of immigrants it had specified that they must have refugee or protected status.
The EU's recent asylum and immigration deal was not about rejected asylum seekers. Dr Borg said Malta was dealing with sovereign states both in and outside the EU. If Malta expected each country to take a quota, it would be of protected persons, and finally up to the country involved; this was why the system was termed "voluntary".
The main difference from Malta knocking on the doors of other countries was that the European Commission was now obliged to put pressure on member states besides the pressure from Malta, which would continue. It would be an illusion if Malta expected sovereign states to obey what it said. Malta must be more realistic on proposals of how to proceed, even though some of those proposals could be acted on, concluded Dr Borg.
Justice and Home Affairs Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici said that it would be a serious mistake for Malta to adopt some of the proposals put forward by Dr Muscat.
He said one could not establish a quota of migrants which Malta could take. He asked what would happen, once the quota had been reached, if a boatload of migrants was in distress off Malta, and people were drowning.
It would also be a very serious mistake for Malta to suspend its international obligations, the minister said. Malta stood to benefit more by arguing its case in the EU and other international institutions rather than being obstinate.
Malta was being assisted by the EU on the immigration issue precisely because it was a member of the 27-nation bloc. But immigration did not start when Malta joined the EU, but two years previously. By the time Malta joined the EU, some 1,500 migrants had already come to Malta.
Suspending international obligations also meant suspending obligations under maritime conventions, and this would also adversely affect Malta's large and growing maritime industry.
Even if Malta were to suspend its international obligations, what about its moral obligations? Could it allow anyone to drown in its waters?
Nothing would change the fact that Malta was in the middle of the migratory route from North Africa to Italy. Dr Mifsud Bonnici stressed that Malta was only obliged to take migrants who actually landed here, or were rescued because they were in distress. He added that the important thing was to tackle the problem in a rational and logical way to keep the situation under control.
It was also wrong to criticise Libya over this issue, because that country too had its own immigration problems and needed assistance.
The minister welcomed the fact that the opposition agreed with the government's detention policy, and said the government was committed to retaining this policy while improving the detention centres as far as was possible in the circumstances.
Dr Mifsud Bonnici said it was of great concern that Dr Muscat's speech indicated that a socialist party was veering to the right in an attempt to gain popular support. He was sure, however, that the people wanted the country to retain its dignity in the way it treated the immigrants.
The general public was not those people who had hijacked some blogs.
Dr Mifsud Bonnici urged the opposition to go deeper into the issue of immigration. Its proposals, he said, were drawn up in a hurry and ignored issues such as repatriation. But many of the proposals that were made by Dr Muscat were already being acted upon, including improving the detention centres, applying an admissions policy to the detention centres and improving security. Training for migrants had also been started.
The government, through Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said, had also launched talks on ways to help communities where open and closed centres were located.
Dr Mifsud Bonnici underlined the importance of the Immigration Pact and other arrangements such as Dublin II and the new Refugee Support Agency. Rather than suspending Malta's obligations, Malta needed to work from within to improve those areas which needed to be improved, in the national interest, he said.
Other speakers will be reported tomorrow.
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Kathy Elliot
Mar 20th 2009, 11:39
I'm slightly confused. Here the Prime Minister says that he wants to add on a '21'st point to the 20-point plan presented by LP, indirectly meaning that he intends to implement all 21 since he does not say that the point added will nullify the other 20, but the Foreign Affairs Minister was just debunking the 20 point plan in a previous article. Ah politics... I wish I had an interpreter, because I can't understand any of it!
Also; complements for the AFM and Police too. They DO work really hard, a lot more than they're paid for, and hardly get any thanks for it.
Frank Portelli 2BFRANK
Mar 20th 2009, 10:50
Illegal Immigrants are coming to Malta organized criminality
Reuters reported ;-
Gaddafi, speaking on behalf of African nations, said Europe had to solve a problem it had created.
"Either you give us back our resources or you invite us in your countries. That's a fairly straight choice," two EU diplomatic sources quoted him as saying."
"The concept of colonialism was a negative experience. The backlash is Europe's difficulty now, which is immigration," Gaddafi was quoted as saying.
"Our natural resources were robbed. Underdevelopment was imposed on Africa."
I hope this dispels all doubt
I am contesting the MEP Elections and I feel that the number one priority that is concerning the Maltese People is Illegal Immigration
Illegal Immigration has to stop
We cannot allow sponsored criminality to risk the lives of these Immigrants - nor to damage Maltese Society
Dr Frank Portelli MD FRCS(ED)
2BFrank4U
Joseph Borg
Mar 19th 2009, 21:38
Has Dr. Gonzi finally awaken from his deep sleep?
Michael Buhagiar
Mar 19th 2009, 21:24
Immigrants are entering directly to B'Bugia and the southern coast by their boat power. Also if someone endangers his life it's not the state problem. It is morally a duty to help but when you see these people travelling on these small boats for all these miles and instead of going in Italian waters come to Maltese waters which are more far than Lampedusa and when they cross in Maltese waters they just phone the AFM something fishy is here. Also we have immigrants that left from Ex Yugoslavia, Western Europe, Arabs, India, Pakistanis, Ghana, Togo, Nigeria , Cameroon, Kenya, Ethiopia all places that there are no wars in them full of resources and even our country send mission workers and money to help them. And now we are giving 5000 euros to these people so they can go back to their country. And when I say this people call me racist.
Shaun Camilleri
Mar 19th 2009, 13:34
The conclusion being he is telling us to lump it. We must accept them as they have more rights than us.
As regards Libya as mentioned by Mr /Ms V. Pullis that is Ghaddafi's policy - to make Europe Islamic. The money he takes from Europe is money he'll use to fund his vision of the world. People seem to forget that he funded and supported terrorists as well as being anti anything Western blaming the West for all the problems of the world. Read his 'Revolutionary Green Book' that not even the Libyans follow in their own country! Has he changed with old age? Maybe he has! - becoming more two faced than ever.
Charles Sammut
Mar 19th 2009, 11:08
"But children and their parents were no longer held in detention centres."
This is interpreted by illegal immigrants to mean, "Bring a child or baby with you and you're home free."
In fact this is what is increasingly happening. Children and pregnant women using their offspring for a 'Get out of jail free' card.
L..Galea
Mar 19th 2009, 08:43
Joe Vella (melleha.)
Such as Affrontex that resulted in an increase of illegal immigrants so much so that your beloved Gonezipn called it an Invasion?
"The Prime Minister is aware that Illegal Immigrants must be send back. Over time over 5000 Illegal Immigrants have been send back already."
Where the proof Joe? It seems that Gonezipn apologists have inherited the trait of EFApn and Gonezipn in seeing figures much bigger than they actually are where it suits them.
By the way, eu money is OUR money because IT decided that our contribution as from 1 January 2009 shall be €153,4000 DAILY apart from all customs duties and levies while we pay the customs officers to collect them, part of VAT, interests on our foreign reserves that had to be transferred to the ECB in Frankfurt, being inundated with illegal immigrants at our expense etc.....
Muscat.Pat
Mar 19th 2009, 08:25
@Joe Vella
There is no doubt that our Prime Minister is a good politician, good in the sense that he has a knack of evading the central issues in questions posed to him He has a flair for frustrating his questioner-and us the elecorate- by displaying arguments which he thinks watertight but through which we see. In short, there is a sievelike quality about the way he answers question. One can only remember this week's "dissett" when Dr Gonzi evaded all question sposed to him! If Reno asked him about the long list for eye operations,Gonzi said the ITU is the best in the world.Asked about the recession- he answered , on the contrary he created 7000 jobs! If asked about the "millions" supposedly coming from EU he quotes Richard Cachia Caruana! If asked about Joseph's plan for illegal immigration, he said it is not new, it already being implemented! Answers as slippery as eels ! Will these answers solve these problems? Certainly NOT. More than ever it is becoming clear that the central issue of trusting DR Gonzi's "par idejn sodi" have turned into a joke; it has to be taken for what it is an ABSURD SLOGAN!
v.pulis
Mar 19th 2009, 08:05
'It was also wrong to criticise Libya over this issue, because that country too had its own immigration problems and needed assistance.'
I never pictured Dr Mifsud Bonnici as being naive but in the case of Libya he seems to be taken in by Libya's rethoric and feet dragging. Gaddafi has no intention of curbing the flow of migrants leaving his shores for two main reasons. Firstly he is getting rid of surplus mouths to feed and secondly he is invading Europe subtletly to reach his aim of turning Europe into an islamic continent (see him addressing a crowd on youtube and saying precisely that)
The money given to him by the EU to control his borders is going somewhere else. I dare say to build boats.
As for Dr. Muscat's suggestion that we should put a quota on arrivals. it simply won't work for the obvious reason that if a boat makes it to Malta after we have passed our quota we still have to accept them unless we are ready to leave them out at sea on their boat.
Carmel Saliba
Mar 19th 2009, 06:55
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi told Parliament yesterday that the government's repatriation policy of illegal immigrants was fundamental.
CAN THE GOVERNMENT AS FOR HELP FROM THE EUROPEAN MEMBERS BY ASKING THEM TO SENT SOLDIERS FROM THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES TO HELP IN THE TASK OF THE MALTESE SOLDIERS' REGARDING THESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS?
M. Catania
Mar 19th 2009, 05:11
@Mario gellel
Was the immigration problem 20 years the same as now?Take off those red tinted glasses!!!
Wayne Hewitt
Mar 18th 2009, 20:35
bla bla bla.... anything new?
P.Schembri
Mar 18th 2009, 20:05
@J.Vella. Which truth? The PN truth, the PL truth, or your truth?
I M Dingli
Mar 18th 2009, 19:25
@ Joe Vella Mellieha
As always you just quote figures without backing…. Please read the following article
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20081231/local/close-to-1-000-egyptians-repatriated-since-2004-ministry
Let me quote a part of the official statistics issued by the present Government for you: -
‘A total of 3,020 immigrants have been repatriated between 2004 and the end of November 2008, including 968 Egyptians, a spokesman for the Home Affairs Ministry said’.
Now add another 100 to the figure above to cover the latest repatriations. Is the new figure close to 5000? No.
Only one third (approximately) of the total figure is related to repatriations to North African countries.
Either you are wrong or else the National Statistics Office and Home Affairs Ministry are wrong. Your choice.
Mike Magri
Mar 18th 2009, 18:52
Thank You Dr.Joseph Muscat... Thank You Dr. Michael Falzon... Thank You Labour Party...
Yes.. Thank you all, for presenting the parlamentary motion about the situation of the illegal immigrants in Malta, for discussion.. By doing so, i can assure you that a lot of good had been done on this very serious and Alarming situation.. Also, a lot of different and very important factors have been brought up to life and exposed and heavily discussed without any political fear.. Mainly the fact that now even the government had declaired that, WE MUST ACT NOW, and NO MORE Bla.. Bla.. Bla.. and rhetoric statements...
I must say, however, that i feel very strong in favour of a popular referendum to litteraly seal this discusion off and thus sending a clear message to Europe, that we mean business..
Thanks again, ghax ghalina, Malta Dejjem Giet... L-EWWEL u QABEL KOLLOX....
V Fenech
Mar 18th 2009, 18:45
The PM is right but he's surley contradicting what Minister Mifsud Bonnici has been saying recently, especially in his reply to the Opposition's Proposals.
Remember what the Minister has been quoted saying in another article:
" "It was also wrong to criticise Libya over this issue, because that country too had its own immigration problems and needed help"
TOM 17th March 2009
Joe Vella (melleha.)
Mar 18th 2009, 18:15
@ P Schembri
Only if Joseph Muscat did as much as Simon Busuttil on the issue of Illegal Immigration.
It is not a question of me to change my tune,I know the truth hurts, it is a question of you to wake up and and face reality.
Trevor Lorenzo Mizzi
Mar 18th 2009, 17:34
Just do it Lawrence !!
You have wasted enough time, this is not rocket science.
A 122 sq. mile nation cannot absorb all of Africa and its problems, no matter what the suicidal good intentions of some people are.
louise vella
Mar 18th 2009, 16:56
"Dr Mifsud Bonnici said it was of great concern that Dr Muscat's speech indicated that a socialist party was veering to the right in an attempt to gain popular support.... The general public was not those people who had hijacked some blogs."
Dr Mifsud Bonnici, a well-known extreme left revolutionary socialist, is right to be greatly concerned that Muscat is veering to the right and indeed to the right of Mifsud Bonnici himself. But in the meantime he realises that by his policy he is losing popular support, that is, the support of the Maltese people who vote and pay taxes. And how does Mifsud Bonnici know who is the general public if his prime minister refuses to hold a public consultation process on illegal immigration?
Michelle Dali
Mar 18th 2009, 16:41
'The Prime Minister said it was understandable that people were worried...'
Good to know that we're not being labelled racist and xenophobic any longer just because we're concerned that our country is being invaded by illegal immigrants.
Now that the Prime Minister and his cabinet finally acknowledge the fact that Malta has a serious problem, let's hope that they take concrete steps to halt the influx before the good weather returns and the onslaught begins once again.
L..Galea
Mar 18th 2009, 16:38
Joe Vella (mellieha.)
"The ones that got the 5,000.00 Euro through an EU sponsored programs all came from sub - Sahara countries."
Where there are no problems in their countries and being rewarded for breaking our laws by entering illegally in Malta! If they were in any danger they would not have gone back. Would you?
From where did you get the statistics about the nationality of those allegedly repatriated Joe? Please illuminate us (with energy savers to save electricity).
louise vella
They also throw pieces of soap with embedded razor blades to cut our security forces. This is apart from throwing their urine and excrement, stones, iron, broken glass and anything they could lay their hands on.
Emmanuel Ebejer
Mar 18th 2009, 16:30
Is someone trying to give us the impression that there are only 5000 illegal immigrants in Malta? If so, they really have got their maths wrong!
P.Schembri
Mar 18th 2009, 16:20
@J.Vela Mellieha. You sound like a scratched record always repeating the same statements. Why don't you ask your buddy Simon Busuttil where was he? What was he doing about the illegal immigration? Founding the useless money swallowing Frontex. And what did Frontex do to Malta? Brought more illegal immigrants. That's the result Mr. Vella. Change your tune, better for you and for your darling party!!! Snatching at straws that's what your party is doing.
Joe Vella (mellieha.)
Mar 18th 2009, 15:47
@ I M Dingli
The vast majority of the 5000 were Egyptians, Tunisians other other nationals from the North African continent.
The ones that got the 5,000.00 Euro through an EU sponsored programs all came from sub - Sahara countries. The number amounts to less then 100. So the overwhelming majority of the over 5000 illegal immigrants that have left our shores have been repatriated.
So, I suggest that you are the one that should get the facts straight.
louise vella
Mar 18th 2009, 15:39
"Dr Gonzi praised both the AFM personnel and the police, especially those who risked their lives at sea to save others. This time last year, the government had improved the conditions for AFM personnel."
Can the prime minister confirm or deny that AFM personnel have been instructed not to speak about the bad treatment they receive from detained illegal immigrants? For ex, that they sometimes spit at them, urinate on places which AFM personnel have to touch, throw food at them etc?
I M Dingli
Mar 18th 2009, 15:36
@ Joe Vella Mellieha
Get your facts right, the Government didn't repatriate 5000 illegal immigrants. That number includes the ones who mysteriously vanished from Malta on their own. The 5000 which you are talking about are actually Euro 5000 pocket money which is given to them once they are repatriated!!
chris camilleri
Mar 18th 2009, 15:31
@ L.Galea. .
You're completely right!
Franco Xuereb
Mar 18th 2009, 15:26
Again not thing new from GonziPN the situation still and will remain STATUS QUA
As I have stated before, by applying burden sharing with in EU members the problem will and never be solved. One is only encourages more illegal immigrants to cross to Europe, the only solution that I can see to make a stop to this influx is to repatriate back.
I agree with GonziPN that this is not a political one but a National issue therefore; action must be taken to self guide the interest of our beloved country at all cost.
We had 12,000 arrivals as recorded in ten years, but now only 5,200 remain??? The government does not know the exact figure due to the fact that the authorities do not keep a tract on the illegals once they leave the detention centres. Thus if some managed to make it to inland Europe, if caught they will be returned to us due to the fingerprints.
From the other hand GonziPN did not mentioned in his speech of any plans that his government have, if any for the coming influx now that weather started to improve.
This will continue to prove my point.
Joe Vella (Mellieha.)
Mar 18th 2009, 15:23
I simply ask, how can Joseph Muscat and the PL have any credibility on the issue of Illegal Immigration when during his time at the EU Parliament, Joseph Muscat DID NOT UTTER ONE WORD ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION, and during his long winding speech this past Monday, Joseph Muscat DID NOT EVEN MADE REFERENCE TO THE ISSUE OF REPATRIATION?
Ivan Attard
Mar 18th 2009, 15:21
Yes Dr Gonzi. We all have been saying that 'Sending migrants back is a must' all along.
What is needed from you now is ACTION and not just rhetoric!
SEND THEM BACK NOW!
Joe Vella (Mellieha.)
Mar 18th 2009, 15:19
@ d. Borg
The Prime Minister is aware that Illegal Immigrants must be send back. Over time over 5000 Illegal Immigrants have been send back already.
It is Joseph Muscat and the PL don't know that there is something called repatriation. In his long winding speech on Monday, Joseph Muscat did not even make reference to Repatriation. That shouldn't have come as a surprise for many, since during his time as an MEP NEVER UTTERED ON WORD on illegal Immigration at the EU Parliament.
louise vella
Mar 18th 2009, 15:13
"The Prime Minister said it was understandable that people were worried and the government had to be in touch with reality."
Agreed, but is the prime minister ready to initiate a public consultation process (as it has done on some twenty other issues) to gauge the people's worry? In an interview on radio 101 a couple of weeks ago, PN candidate to European Parliament election Rudolph Cini said that from his home visits it results that illegal immigration is the issue on which the poepl are most worried. Is the prime minister ready to extend his consultation to the public of Marsa, Birzebbuga and other localities suffering from the influx of illegal immigrants?
L..Galea
Mar 18th 2009, 15:08
chris camilleri
Then remove the cobweb by renouncing to the refugee convention which is way past its use by date and being abused left right and centre in ways that it was never intended to. Then renounce to the Dublin II convention which is another cobweb that is trapping Malta in it.
chris camilleri
Mar 18th 2009, 14:56
let's be reasonable here. One victory for malta is that at least both agree about the severity of the problem. I feel that it's too easy to just say. . "u ejja just kick them out!!" or . . "just don't let them in!!". . i think it is much harder when it comes to dealing with the cobweb of legal issues to protect these migrants and also the ways and means which could be used by the government.
d. borg
Mar 18th 2009, 14:53
'Sending migrants back is a must - PM'
Of course it's a must. This is what we have been saying all along. If you are so convinced then what are you waiting for? Why are they still here?
Louis Gialanze
Mar 18th 2009, 14:31
The Hon C. Mifsud Bonnici must be vey much aware that were it not for us bloggers the problem with illegal immigration would have been kept under wraps. The issue was hijacked by politicians and taken up by the PNPL only when it dawned upon them that the man in the street was geniunely concerned and risked backfiring on them. The internet has given us ordinary citizens a voice of our own and the honourable minister is well adviced to put his ears to the ground. Unlike government apologists who are paid handsomely ( in consultancies) to put pen into print John Citizen is now in a position to make his voice heard with or without the blessing of the bigwigs.
louise vella
Mar 18th 2009, 14:30
"The government's repatriation policy of illegal immigrants was fundamental, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi told Parliament yesterday."
Yes, but ... On 1 February the government issued a press release saying that the 262 arriving illegal immigrants would be repatriated because they came from countries not qualifying for refugee status (see DOI website). According to my count, so far only 63 have been repatriated, 35 Egyptians and 28 Tunisians. Are the remaining 199 still with us? Then later another boat with 227 arrived, welcomed onshore by their countrymen How many of them have been repatriated?
Repatriation is fundamental but it must also be seen happening and publicised. First to appease the worry of the Maltese people. Second to send the message to the millions waiting on the Libyan coast that there is no point in coming to Malta.
Joe Vella (mellieha.)
Mar 18th 2009, 13:59
@ P.Muscat
"Tell me what Dr Muscat and his fellow PL MEPs have done on this matter since 2004? Concretely of course!"
Xejn, Zilg, Nothing, Niente, Nada.
Joseph Muscat and the PL are still fast asleep on Illegal Immigration. They haven't realized that repatriation of Illegal immigrants is a central component of combating Illegal Immigration. It is beyond one's comprehension that Joseph Muscat didn't even make reference to Repatriation in his speech on Monday. SIMPLE UNBELIAVABLE.
lgalea
Mar 18th 2009, 13:37
REPATRIATION and EXPULSION IS A MUST.
However, it is to be noted that the political parties only started discussing the problem after the Campaign for National Independence CNI started collecting signatures for a petition for Parliament to stop the illegal immigrats invasion.
Thank you CNI.
You lead, others follow.
Denis Catania
Mar 18th 2009, 13:02
Sending migrants back is a must-PM
The Prime Minister said it was understandable that people were worried and the government had to be in touch with reality.
So according to the PM's statements 95% of the Maltese are right.
Maltese let's keep the pressure on. Matter of fact let's turn it up a notch.
Joanne Micallef
Mar 18th 2009, 13:01
@ P Muscat - . Just cause the Goverment always quotes the number of illegal immigrants and refugees that we have housed in the closed and open centres/homes when asked how many illegal immigrants we have on the island doesn't mean he is quoting correctly. What about those that live in rented accommodation in Bugibba, Mosta and in other various parts of the island. Are we imagining them? I dont think so. The truth is that the authorities have No IDEA how many illegal immigrants are really on the island which in my opinion is a DISGRACE
P Muscat
Mar 18th 2009, 12:37
@A Sammut
Obviously you have not read or heard a word of what Dr Gonzi said. Dr Gonzi and the PN have been taking concrete steps on this since 2002 - how else do you explain that out of 12,000 only 5,000 are left? Tell me what Dr Muscat and his fellow PL MEPs have done on this matter since 2004? Concretely of course!
A. Sammut
Mar 18th 2009, 12:00
The only way you might impress Dr Gonzi, is simply if you act and do something concrete about this situation. why did you wait for the opposition to draw your attention on this issue??!!!!
Joseph Cauchi
Mar 18th 2009, 11:27
After hearing this debate on the radio and reading this report, I must say that I am now more knowledgeable of how our authorities are tackling this severe problem of illegal immigration.
We all have to admit, that this is a very hard nut to crack and we have to stop being partisan in our comments.
This issue requires the co-operation of all the members of the EU and by continuous diplomatic pressure from our government, is the only way forward!
Keep it up!
../..
g. scerri
Mar 18th 2009, 11:14
I think that if people were to patiently trawl through the EUPARL site and associated others, including EU papers, they would find that it's true that the gov has been gnawing steadily at the problem and I am one of those who thinks that we should be a bit harder in our approach. In fact EU documents will show you that Malta is constantly being criticised by some MEPs and EU officials for having the hardest policy on immigration that there is. The fact is, and this applies to me, that we have to be patient and let diplomacy run its course. If we are faced with a brick wall, then it may be time to request alternative measures. My chief complaint in all this is to ask why the citizen had to wait for a discussion in Parliament to be told of certain facts. Aren't we trusted enough to be kept informed?
Joe Vella (Mellieha.)
Mar 18th 2009, 11:10
@ John Portelli
I presume your comments are directed at Joseph Muscat and the PL.
The Government put the issue of Illegal Immigration on the forefront of debate at the EU long time ago. Other effected Countries, like Italy, Greece and Spain, only signed on afterwards.
One person who have been missing in this debate over the years have been Joseph Muscat. Joseph Muscat during his time as an MEP did not UTTER ONE WORD at the EU in support of Malta's plight in regards to Illegal Immigration.
Part of the action that you might be calling for is the issue of repatriation,which Joseph Muscat failed to raise in his speech on Monday. That how serious Joseph Muscat is on Illegal Immigration. To date over 5000 Illegal Immigrants have been repatriated.
m.muscat
Mar 18th 2009, 11:10
So at long last we have all the political parties officialy conceding that we have a serious problem and that " the issue of illegal immigration was worrisome". The Prime Minister told Parliament that "Sending migrants back is a must" albeit "keeping in mind values and principles so characteristic of Malta". Hopefully no one would term the PM as racist as I have been labelled by a certain Mr.Mifsud for saying the same words and embracing the same principles. Well done all political parties, but we have so many times been inundated with vague promises that credibility is now at its lowest ebb, especially when such promises are coming on the eve of MEP,s elections. So now, in all probability, people will stick to their feelings of "Seeing is believing" very much in Saint Thomas way.
Parties must also come to terms that this is not a political but a NATIONAL ISSUE and that to be credible, action has to be fast and productive. Otherwise, it would be difficult for the majority to go for the bait and the consequences would definitely be reflected in the forthcoming European elections. I realize the difficulties but believe me it is the truth.
Joe Vella (Mellieha.)
Mar 18th 2009, 11:03
@ Mario Gellel
Illegal Immigration haven't been with us for 20 years. Some issues take no time to come up with a solution and others like Illegal Immigration, which is a phonomenen, takes much longer to resolve; specially if the solution doesn't depend on you alone.
Only, if things where as simple as you are project them to be.
Sandro Pace
Mar 18th 2009, 10:36
Having heard both leaders, I must say that both have their merits and de-merits in my opinion. Both want to please "God and the devil" as we say in Maltese. Which is impossible.
They are not rising to the occasion. Not to mention the 'stretched arguments' in the government side during this debate.
While I will not say that the government is tackling it totally wrong (though he is leaving lots to be desired), one cannot wait forever for "proposals", "hope", "lets see", "convince". Convincement may require some action, or inaction. As the tuna pen stand off (where we were always right) showed.
This country and whatever government it has has to grow up and not fear criticsms when it take such actions.
John Portelli
Mar 18th 2009, 10:28
Sure now they are talking cause the MEP elections are coming up??? Because Gonzi knows how angry the Maltese people are.. I want to see ACTION not debates and alot of small talk. MALTA WAKE FROM YOUR DEEP TRANCE!!
MARIO GELLEL
Mar 18th 2009, 10:25
@joe vella
then you agree wih us on the issue.is 20 years in goverment not enough to solve a problem?
James De Giorgio
Mar 18th 2009, 10:18
Good one Gonz. We're behind you on this one.
You're absolutely right.
Repatriation is a MUST.
Joe Vella (Mellieha.)
Mar 18th 2009, 10:16
@ Mario Gellel
First there is no need to Yell.
Secondly, Joseph Muscat and you should be told that running of a country takes more than running of a PL Kazin
mario gellel
Mar 18th 2009, 09:53
AFTER HEARING BOTH DR.MUSCAT(PL) AND DR.GONZI(PN) DEBATE ON THE ISSUE OF ILLEGAL EMIGRANTS,ALL PROUD AND LOYAL MALTESE CAME OUT WITH ONE ANSWER ie DR.MUSCAT OFFERED ASTRONG AND REALITY PLAN BUT WITH DIGNITY,WHILE ON THE OTHER HAND DR. GONZI OFFERED THE WAIT AND SEE PROMISES FROM THE EU.DR.GONZI SHOWED A LOT OF SIMPATY AND PITY FOR THEM.WISH HE DONE THE SAME FOR ALL THOSE HARD WORKING LOW AND MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES ON THE ELECTRICTY BILL.AS THEY SAY,CARITY BEGINS AT HOME.FACTS SHOW ON A PERCENTIG THAT THESE ILLEGAL EMIGRANT HAVE RAPED-STOLE-DISOBAYED THE LAW IN SIX YEARS THAN THE ALL THE MALTHESE IN TWENTY YEARS.TIME TO WAKE UP AND LISTEN TO YOUR HOMELAND CRY MR.GOVERMENT