Kurt Sansone
Reality outside detention remains a black hole
Integration remains taboo for politicians across the political divide. While Labour's 20-point plan mentions the need for education and training in detention, nothing is said about it once immigrants are in open centres. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi.
The parliamentary debate on illegal immigration was spurred by Labour leader Joseph Muscat, who came out with a 20-point action plan.
The Labour Party's 20-point plan to tackle illegal immigration put down in black and white a road map for tougher diplomatic action but on the whole it did not break away from established government policy.
Mandatory detention up to a maximum of 18 months is still the fulcrum of the PL's immigration policy even though it is the single biggest bone of contention for non-governmental organisations and international humanitarian agencies.
The proposal to have a parliamentary committee on immigration could possibly help to sensitise MPs to the issue from a wider perspective.
Furthermore, the proposal to blacklist companies that employ people illegally has long been demanded by unions and bona fide employers because it would attack the black market.
Dr Muscat did mention integration a few times but, while he elaborated on the need for educational and training programmes for immigrants in detention, he dedicated little time to address the issue of integration once immigrants progress to the open centres.
Integration remains taboo for politicians across the political divide. None of the members of Parliament who spoke on the issue took a leaf out of the report compiled by Stephen Calleya and Derek Lutterbeck for The Today Public Policy Institute last November.
"For the past few years our country has turned a blind eye to what happens to these individuals (immigrants) after they come out of detention," the two authors had said.
They insisted that, unless the EU makes progress on the burden-sharing pact by 2012, the number of immigrants living in the community could easily reach 8,000.
"The reality is that irregular immigration is a problem that will not go away," Dr Calleya and Dr Lutterbeck said, pointing out that it would be beneficial in the long term if the country adopted a national policy on integration.
There were none of these words in Dr Muscat's 20-point plan. The little focus on integration came in the form of "special funds" for local councils where large immigrant populations live and educational programmes for immigrants in detention.
Indeed, the situation in the detention facilities was a central theme of Dr Muscat's speech in Parliament. He criticised the poor state of detention facilities including the lack of discipline and insisted conditions were not even fit for dogs.
He argued for improved conditions but insisted the country had to set a "sustainable limit" on the number of immigrants it could take in without divulging what this magic number would be.
Dr Muscat criticised the government for practising "false solidarity" when allowing immigrants released from detention to get lost in a network of illegality that saw them leave the country through unofficial channels.
He later used this argument to justify the tough course of action that would pressure the international community and the EU to come to Malta's aid.
"Malta should consider suspending its international obligations even for specific periods. This does not mean allowing them to drown but helping them and then seeing them on their way," Dr Muscat said.
This position would possibly be contrary to the bilateral re-admission agreement signed between Malta and Italy in December 2001. The agreement established that illegal immigrants who depart for Italy from Malta will be sent back to the island.
While declaring his opposition to any sort of illegality, Dr Muscat effectively proposed a measure that could see the state become party to the illegal ferrying of illegal immigrants to Italian waters. More importantly, is the risk of having immigrants drown while "seeing them off".
In November 2005, Armed Forces of Malta rescuers were ordered to keep at a distance from a boat carrying 200 migrants in gale force winds, hours before nine of them drowned and at least 20 went missing in a shipwreck off the coast of Sicily.
The incident had sparked a diplomatic row between Italy and Malta when then Parliamentary Secretary Tony Abela had blamed the Italians for not rescuing the immigrants in time. Months later, when entries in an AFM log book were leaked to MaltaToday, it transpired that the AFM rescuers were given direct orders to "keep at a distance".
Dr Muscat also proposed the suspension of finger-printing illegal immigrants when they arrive, an obligation under the Dublin II Convention. This means that immigrants in Malta would be left in a state of illegality, possibly in the hope of their moving on to other European countries anonymously. If this is what Dr Muscat meant to achieve with his proposal it would simply put him at par with what he described as the government's intention to offer "false solidarity".
In their November report, Dr Calleya and Dr Lutterbeck said that foreigners made up 2.7 per cent of the population, the smallest percentage at European level.
They insisted the biggest problem was not one of coping with a large population of immigrants but of coping with a population of illegal immigrants that "increased dramatically in a short span of time".
Since November, the number of arrivals continued to increase, very uncharacteristically in the winter months. They have put a strain on the country's resources.
For Dr Muscat it was cause for alarm. Whether his 20-point plan or the panicky reactions of parliamentarians on both sides of the House will be enough to diffuse the situation is debatable.
However, in the meantime, immigrants will continue to live in the community with little or no effort to enable their smooth integration into society.
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Trevor Lorenzo Mizzi
Apr 20th 2009, 21:59
@ M.Mercieca,
The tide is changing and the major political parties MUST bring the illegal invasion question to the table.
The maltese people are up in arms and this issue cannot be ignored if these political parties want to get elected.
The latest spat between Italy and Malta regarding who is going to be burdened with a boat full of illegal invaders saved by a Turkish ship and taken to the isle of Lampedusa, shows to the world that no one wants these people coming illegally to their country, and rightly so.
The EU is not doing its duty to bring pressure to bare on the place where these boat loads of illegals come from, IE: Libya.
What value is Malta's membership to this union then?
We do not need to be dictated on how to run our affairs, we already had 164 years of rule from Whitehall, so now we jump from the pan and into the fire.
Brussels is the new colonial master, we don't need any more masters, we tasted plenty
M. Mercieca
Mar 20th 2009, 12:37
@Trevor Lorenzo Mizzi
Almost a year ago we had a general election and the PN won with 1 vote majority and this FACT many peoples must accept.
On same election, with same influx of the Irregular Immigrants, all anti-immigrants parties DID NOT FILL ONE BALLOT BOX. Same would happen coming MEP election with anti-immigrants parties.
EU values are crystal clear: Safeguarding people’s rights and promoting democracy. No room for racism on EU soil. ‘If’ any of the anti-immigrant MEP is elected he/she must follow EU rules.
Every body knows talking and pointing fingers at the government is very easy and cheap but facing reality is different story.
Ryan Dalli
Mar 19th 2009, 19:15
However this article, does not say anything that "illegal immigrants exceed security forces' personel' which is unique situation for an EU Country.
Trevor Lorenzo Mizzi
Mar 19th 2009, 17:53
@ M. Mercieca,
Immigration to Malta, a nation of 122 sq. miles with one of the highest population densities in the world?
You must be out of your gourd man !
It would be 99.99% in a referendum, excluding your delusional self of course .
L..Galea
Mar 19th 2009, 17:31
Maria Farrugia
It had to be the Campaign for National Independence CNI http://www.cnimalta.org that pushed the political parties to start debating the issue because it started collecting signatures for a petition Parliament to act in the interests of Malta and the Maltese people and end the illegal immigrats saga. If people want to see an end to this saga they should give their support by signing the petition when they come round to your house.
M. Mercieca
Whatever you call it we do not want any illegal immigrats to remain here. When you have no arguments you simply resort to calling others racists and the expulsion of illegal immigrats racism.
Call it what you want but most people want to see the last of the illegal immigrats leave Malta, OUR country forever never to come back.
I am amazed at how low can people go to be lackey and subservient to foreigners, especially illegal ones.
Joe Vella (Mellieha.)
Mar 19th 2009, 16:06
@ Joanne Micallef
"What is very clear is that action needs to be taken, otherwise we'll find ourselves at the point of no return in a few years time, not to mention that the PN risk to be remembered as the political party which brought upon Malta's demise.'
That distinction has been long held by the MLP/PL; so need not worry about it.
Kaydee Zammit
Mar 19th 2009, 15:15
@ M. Mercieca
Pray, tell me, WHAT kind of referendum would you propose the government holds on aids? Because I've been trying to get my head around it and still can't come up with anything!
The immigration problem is one of Malta's biggest problems right now - I would say biggest, but that's a question of personal opinion. I do not merit any of what you have mentioned below as being important enough so as to set a referendum.
Eric Soames
Mar 19th 2009, 14:24
M. Mercieca:
'27 EU countries -Do you want immigrants? The answer would be a big 99.9 NO'.
You've answered your own question. Government by the people, for the people, of the people? Apparently not, that's why the people are trying to make themselves heard - as opposed to being herded.
M. Mercieca
Mar 19th 2009, 13:42
REFERENDUM on what?
Does anyone suggest that issues we have should be put into public’s hands to decide? This include (Hunters-climate change-financial crunch-gay marriage-divorce-gambling-single parents-social-benefit abuser-lower tourism-employment- investment-cervical cancer-AIDS-out of marriage babies- church goers-feasts …..Etc). In these (self-made) issues lies the real threat to our society. If these issues left at public’s hands to decide we end up having Jungle-like society.
However, If we put the issue in question goes into one simple referendum question across the 27 EU countries -Do you want immigrants? The answer would be a big 99.9 NO. This is a RACISM-BASED result and this is more serious for the EU than the issue itself.
The European Union will do whatever deems necessary to promote Human rights and Democratic values As well as eroding racism and promote integration. Both Muscats of PL and AN understand EU values very well, and yet, they talk the opposite to appease potential VOTERS,
The government is handling the issue perfectly and in legal manner without putting Malta's future at stake, thanks to Simon and CMB). Just some patience and persistence are required.
louise vella
Mar 19th 2009, 13:07
"Dr Calleya and Dr Lutterbeck ... insisted the biggest problem was not one of coping with a large population of immigrants but of coping with a population of illegal immigrants that "increased dramatically in a short span of time"."
No. The biggest problem is that these people come in boats (now in ships), without documents, money or belongings. They put themselves in dangerous situations, or often pretend to be in distress. They expect to have rights in a country not their own, which they enter as invaders. And all this without the Maltese people ever having been consulted. To top it all, nobody can say when the invasion willl stop. That's the biggest problem.
Joanne Micallef
Mar 19th 2009, 12:44
I do not condone illegal behavior therefore I can never be in favour of integrating any ILLEGAL immigrants. Needless to say that this line of thinking does not apply to any genuine refugees or foreigners of any Nationality that reside in Malta.
Anyway I still dont know why anyone can object to setting a limit of illegal immigrants we are to accept, apart from the revision of the Dublin 2 convention this is the only other true alternative we have to safeguard our livelihood.
louise vella
Mar 19th 2009, 12:24
"None of the members of Parliament who spoke on the issue took a leaf out of the report compiled by Stephen Calleya and Derek Lutterbeck for The Today Public Policy Institute last November".
Why should anybody take a leaf or many leaves out of this report? What legitimacy do the authors have? Who did they consult?
Joseph Muscat "insisted the country had to set a "sustainable limit" on the number of immigrants it could take in without divulging what this magic number would be."
Has anybody (government? NGOs? journalists?) ever told us what is the 'magic number' or the maximum limit of illegal immigrants that Malta should accept? 10 000? 100 000? One million?
Maria Farrugia
Mar 19th 2009, 12:23
It had to be Joseph Muscat who sparked the issue and put it on national political agenda.
Kurt Sansone's analysis is very good. Yet it has to be taken into the context that at the beginning of the speech Joseph Muscat said that there was not one single solution to this problem, and even his plan of action (note: opposition giving a plan of action) ... was not water tight and was and still is up for discussion.
Yet, let's see the positive side of it. Joseph Muscat from opposition is proposing a way forward. Let's all analyse it and see which parts can be taken, which of them can be improved and which of these can be avoided.
I do insist and please take note: The opposition is working. The opposition is proposing. The opposition is working as an alternative government.
Joanne Micallef
Mar 19th 2009, 12:08
What is very clear is that action needs to be taken, otherwise we'll find ourselves at the point of no return in a few years time, not to mention that the PN risk to be remembered as the political party which brought upon Malta's demise.
T Mifsud
Mar 19th 2009, 11:43
I cannot believe I am hearing this word in the Times.
Why of why, after centuries of protecting our values, religion, traditions and language we have politicians that deliberaltely assist in Maltese culture euthenasia?
Put the issue to the polls and let us have a REFERENDUM. Let us see how many want to protect the future of our children and how little few support this politically correct but suicidal policy of integrating immigrants.
louise vella
Mar 19th 2009, 11:43
"Integration remains taboo for politicians across the political divide."
Why should it be otherwise if the people (Mr and Mrs Average; Zepp u Mary citizen; Cikku the people) are against it? If the NGOs have any doubt about it, can they ask the government to hold a public consultation process on illegal immigration? We can then see how many people are in favour of illegal immigration.
T Mifsud
Mar 19th 2009, 11:37
How can the Maltese be louder to the politicians
Eric Soames
Mar 19th 2009, 11:31
And the point of the photograph is what? To equate the Detention Centre to a Concentration Camp? A tad overdramatic.
louise vella
Mar 19th 2009, 11:18
"it is the single biggest bone of contention for non-governmental organisations and international humanitarian agencies."
How many individuals do these NGOs represent?
Who elected them?
How are they financed?
Are they administered transparently?
Can it be confirmed that, as Profs Frendo wrote in yesterday's the Times, that these "accusations by international bodies" are "often fed through local sources"? If so, who are these sources?
John Azzopardi
Mar 19th 2009, 11:17
At least the people's voices are being heard. Albeit, not much is being done, the politicians know themselves that the issue will reach a peak in the summer months to come. We all know that money will never be enough and the time has come to seriously continue to have contigency plans in place. Some people are naive enough to think that we can keep on accepting these large number of men forever. We are now seeing that we already have 2.5 percent of these illegals among in a span of 6-7 years. \ And some people wonder why the majority of the people are up in arms.