Update 2: Detention Service officers, soldier injured in Safi riot - ring leaders arrested

a darmanin

Mar 25th 2009, 00:37

Estimate damage €36,000 + AFM, Police Force, Detention Service Officers, Civil Protection, Emergency Response Team and Hospital personel's salaries and resources....all from our taxes.....shame...shame...shame!!! No need to say more.

J. Buhagiar

Mar 24th 2009, 22:09

@ VANESSA AND ALL who think that these are not illegal imigrants.
With all due respect Vanessa, please make some research since this has been going on since before 2003.

I quote for the New Zealnad Herald of 2003.

Gaddafi at centre of cruel trade. Wednesday Oct 29, 2003
By PETER POPHAM IN ROME

The Gaddafi regime is tacitly encouraging a trade in illegal immigrants that brings thousands to Europe every year, and kills hundreds, say survivors of the perilous sea voyage from Libya to Italy.

"It's not hard to get a boat from Libya to Europe," said a young Sudanese man called Suleiman, squatting in a derelict railway shed in Rome. "Just ask a Libyan policeman."

The cruel trade in hope and despair is thriving. And as Italian politicians are appealing for Europe to tackle the problem collectively, it has emerged that the man behind the trade is the Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.

-----------
The full article can be read at
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/peter-popham/news/article.cfm?a_id=124&objectid=3531229
Many more articles are available from leading UK and Italina papers that all echo more or less the same.

D. Mercieca

Mar 24th 2009, 19:49

Don’t you see, this situation is no more acceptable. These people leave their country to find better living in the so called ‘civilized’ world but by using this kind of behaviour they can’t obtain any respect from us. When going abroad to a foreign country one adapts and respects the hosting country’s customs and people. If these people want to create riots to achieve their rights then they should have done this in their own country and stand up to their own government or whoever is ruling it. This does not mean that we shouldn’t offer any shelter to these immigrants but one must work hard for it and his behaviour should be considered as well in order to obtain refuge. In my opinion if any of these immigrants breaks the law in some way or another, he or she must be reinpatriated to his country of origin immediately. EU must consider this and implementing it as a law especially to those countries facing the same problem as ours.

Oscar Cassar

Mar 24th 2009, 16:47

@ Vanessa Mifsud

Please note that these so called asylum seekers, had their applications for asylum REJECTED. We cannot just accept everyone with the excuse that if repatriated they will be tortured or killed. If their applications had been rejected, that means that they just simply had not qualified for asylum and that they are just illegal immigrants that have to be sent back.

We already have a verity of problems with persons at open centres like those at Marsa and Hal Far. Imagine the costs, risks etc of keeping others just because they say so. We must remove all biostatic procedures, and such persons must be repatriated immediately to remove further risks on our rock that is already one of the most densely populated in Europe.

Colin Giudice

Mar 24th 2009, 12:13

basically.........

we get boat loads of immigrants...now also in winter, with a good chance that the influx will increase when the weather gets better.

we cannot send them back because they lie about their country of origin and the country from which they departed (Libya) will not take them back. there are also those who are valid asylium seekers who naturally cannot be sent back

the ones we can repatriate (see the Tunisians) will have to be kept here until their documents are sent to us by their country.....with the Tunisians it was said that the government was receiving only 10 passports per week. In the meatime they riot,

when we go out to help them we cannot give them water and fuel and help them to continue their voyage because we have signed a good number of protocols

our EU friends will take some of them from us......when they want and at what rate they feel like, because burden sharing is totally volontary

the Italians are sending immigrants back in plane loads cause they have a special agreement with the Libyans, we cannot do the same.

It seems that Malta has been put in quite a nice position !

Karl Milanese

Mar 24th 2009, 10:38

@ Vanessa Mifsud

Yes Vanessa, you are very right. But I'm sure you agree that keeping the situation as it is will only trigger more xenophobia from the Maltese.

The proposals made by the Opposition last week are made in the face of the rising xenophobia. It is necessary for our politicians to negotiate properly with the EU to ensure that other fellow EU states share this situation with us. The more we close an eye to the situation, the more we risk to have xenophobic sentiments.

The problems in Africa were caused by EU countries, namely the UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Italy. These colonial countries have caused many differences between peoples, they were the cause to many wars, they backed plenty of corrupt dictators, they have both hands immersed in corruption, and they lacked to give proper education to their subjects. The problems faced by Africa today are the results of these tactics by European countries. It is only fair to expect these countries to take their responsibility.

Claire Attard Vassallo

Mar 24th 2009, 10:29

It is very unfortunate that our government isn't being strong enough with other EU Member States. The government should voice the Maltese people's plea when in the EU fora.

Adriano Ferioll

Mar 24th 2009, 10:27

The 20 points proposed by Dr Joseph Muscat came at the right time. We have to respect illegal immigrants as they are humans like us. But we can never accept the irresponsibility of our fellow EU colleagues to shut both their eyes in the face of our situation... a situation which they have created when they ruled Africa in the past century.

C FENECH

Mar 24th 2009, 07:56

When are we going to say enough is enough? How many times have these people abused of our patience and taxes? Did we invite them over and promised them a better life? No they came here illegally, and illegality is punishable!
To add insult to injury they continue to break the law, by rioting and destroying OUR property and expect to get away with it. Not only, then they complain of the inhumane conditions they are living in. Computers? Projectors? Our Government Schools had to wait ages until they got them!
All this talk of integration and diversity in our society ! So we scold the youth, foreign and local, for their pranks in vandalising some garden furniture and then we keep our mouths shut when something like this happens. Moreso, the Local Councils of the neighbouring areas are being criticised solely because they are trying to protect their locality !
Dear NGO's, it is the same people that you are trying to protect and integrate in our society that are making you fail in your mission. It is your constant harping of "jahasra" and "imsieken" that is making the Maltese get angrier and frustrated by the day.

Vanessa Mifsud

Mar 24th 2009, 01:03

M Gatt, may i remind you that if these people are sent back to their country, they will be killed on the spot, before they ever arrive. That's why they are called asylum seekers. Surely if you are in that situation, you would flee the country like they did.

Oscar Cassar

Mar 23rd 2009, 23:39

According to the TVM, there had been also injuries within the Police force in connection with the same incident.

A.Gauci Cunningham

Mar 23rd 2009, 22:52

.................and then some sections of the media still persist in bashing Joseph Muscat when his proposals do make some sense after all!! I'm starting to get the impression that for some commentators/coloumnists/acolytes this island could drown in dung for all that they care as long as they get their fair share of lets-bash-joseph every time they fancy it!!

For the umpteenth time; the problems are not these individuals who are (purposely????) left to live in a disgraceful, inhumane environment but the authorities who have failed to grasp the fact that if we want to get results we need to "fight' this issue out at a European level!! And yes this could also include a 'veto" as a last resort in desperate times!!!

Paul Barrett

Mar 23rd 2009, 22:25

The situation is bad and thankfully they are not organised or they would simply just over-run the guard force and walk out.
From the comments below the consensus is that they should all be sent back home - the problem is where is their home = many have presumably lied as to their origins to claim asylum, they have no ID papers and are not going to help anyone to find out who they really are. You can't just send them to another country just because they don't belong here as the receiving country has to agree to accept them.
They know that they can't be sent "home" and they don't want to stay here so the simple thing to do is to cause a fuss in the hope that all the NGO's will persuade someone to move them on to somewhere else. All other EU countries are under the same threat and despite all the promises of assistance - other Governments have problems (and voters) too.

Stephen Borg Cardona

Mar 23rd 2009, 21:28

You have to know where they are from to send them back and most of them know this !

Davies Lucia

Mar 23rd 2009, 21:27

I am so upset to here about these events, am trying hard not to feel bad about these people, but they are pushing us to hard now. sick of hearing about our police and soldiers being hurt. And they are going to bring some of them to live in part of the school in Floriana now. With children from kindergarten to year six still attending this school, it is disgusting

Malcolm Debono

Mar 23rd 2009, 21:24

"The most serious damage, however, was caused to the migrants' education centre within the barracks, where computers and a projector were destroyed."

And yet again we continue to pay for things they damage just for a protest. It would have been a much wiser choice if the computers & projector mentioned were given to a school for proper use. Will they be replaced again out of our own tax? If they break things, they should pay for them.

Jos Vella

Mar 23rd 2009, 20:37

I welcome you in my home with patience, I let you share a room with you and for you to stay. This is called patience. But if after all this you make a mess in my own house then it is intollerance and it's totally unfair to continue being patient and understanding with you. Please send em back home, like the birds' place is the sky the place of africans is in africa where they can roam wildly in the wild!

J.Spiteri

Mar 23rd 2009, 20:24

Dear Prime Minister, please keep in mind that YOU were elected with a mandate to SERVE us Maltese citizens. The great majority simply DO NOT want illegal immigrants, wherever they come from, living in our country. It is therefore, your duty to respect the will of the vast majority of the population and rid our country of all illegals once and for all. If immediate and effective action is not taken to avert this threat, our country and future generations will bear the consequences of your administration's incompetence regarding this matter. Racism and xenophobia also seem to be on the increase due to the seemingly inadequate handling of the situation.

M. Gatt

Mar 23rd 2009, 18:21

These people need space... and in Africa there is many.

Please send these people back to their countries before it is too late. There is only one solution to this big problem our country is facing...they come and we send them back, they come again and we send them back again...

J.Scicluna - Rabat

Mar 23rd 2009, 18:15

And I suppose that us taxpayers will have to fork out money to repair/replace the stuff that was broken or burned?

Malta's obligations should be revoked and send all Illegal Immigrants back to their own country.

Alex Vella

Mar 23rd 2009, 17:49

What is government waiting for?? Look at the time and resources spent on this issue with no end in sight! How many more illegals can we handle? The decision on how to approach this should be to do what is best for Malta and its citizens...NOT the illegals! Malta is not safe anymore, we know nothing about these individuals. The longer we keep them in detention & the more their numbers grow the less control we will have, we can barley contain them now! The government should give warning to the EU and the world that Malta will no longer bring ashore illegals. Then, send them all back ASAP & forget waiting for papers/documentation. Then we can take back our country. The face of Malta is changing for the worse! This will begin to affect tourism, health & safety etc. Crime will increase and instead of moving forward, this issue will bring us down. I know what will happen now...NOTHING! the ringleaders will be sent back to detention and the situation will repeat its self. When Maltese begin getting killed maybe the government will act.

J Busuttil

Mar 23rd 2009, 16:30

Joe Muscat didn't excluded riots in his speech because everyone knows that detained people whether Maltese or foreign can cause a riot so no one has to politicise the issue of illegal immigration. Saying this I am not saying that it is not a problem for our country. But the handling of this issue is more easely said than done. Like the one who said that we send them to the Csech Republic who have the EU presidency at this time,but I ask: What shall we do if they do like we did in the case if the Italian naval vessel some days ago?

Robert vassallo

Mar 23rd 2009, 14:55

MR J Oatmon IT IS NOT WHAT WE WANT TO HEAR AND IT IS YOUR TRUTH NOT OUR TRUTH.WHAT I REALLY THINK IS THAT WE NEED A NEW GOVERMENT THAT CAN STAND UP TO THEM, THAT BACKS SOLDIERS AND POLICE OFFICERS UP.IMSOMA MALTA HANINA HOBZA U SARDINA.

Andrew Zammit Manduca

Mar 23rd 2009, 14:53

I know we are a christian country with christian beliefs but I am sick and tired and angry from hearing about these illegal imigrants. Why doesn't the government just send them all back to their country. There are more illegal imigrants than army and police personel put together which means that if every illegal imigrant riots the police and army are out numbered which doesn't exactly make me feel the safest of people.

Louis Gialanze

Mar 23rd 2009, 14:48

These people not only abuse our hospitality but are also a threat to the security of a small island like Malta. Of course,government apoligists may cite all sorts of humanitarian shortfalls to justify these riots but when heave comes to push our armed forces are already stretched to their limits to control the situation. It is time for drastic action whatever our new overlords in Brussels say. Malta is responsable for its own defence and security and that alone should overide all other considerations. Wake up Malta NOW before it is too late.

Chris Mifsud

Mar 23rd 2009, 14:38

"The situation is under control" , "We are not in a crisis"

These are the words of a completely incompitent Minisiter .

What are we waiting for to deem this as a crisis ? When a soldier or police is seriously injured or worse ?

The ONLY solution is to deport ALL illegal immigrants

Joseph Cauchi

Mar 23rd 2009, 14:31

-FROM YESTERDAY'S NEW YORK TIMES: “It is a burden,” Ali Abd Alaziz Isawi, who served for two years as the minister of economy, trade and investment, said of the army of illegal immigrants living in Libya. “They are a burden on health care, they spread disease, crime. They are illegal.-


If what Mr. Mario Tabone-Vassallo has quoted as per the above, is correct, then I do not blame the Libyans from trying to get rid of these illegal immigrants from their territory.

I think it would be a good idea if we were to follow the Libyan example and let these illegal immigrants leave our country at the first opportune moment and with no strings attached!

Oh! I’ve just remembered, we have agreements to follow and therefore we cannot just do that, otherwise we would be considered as a pariah state!

And we do not want that, don’t we?

Quo Vadis Malta?

../..

Franco Xuereb

Mar 23rd 2009, 14:08

@ GC Forte these illegal immigrants are at war? Does this give them the right to break every thing that we are providing for them? It seems that they do not appreciate what this country is providing for them off course, all this is being provided from the tax payers money.

They are kept in detention centre's due to the fact that they entered our country illegal and full stop and thus do not have the right to live in our island, and in my opinion they should not leave the said centre's unless they are repatriated.

From the other hand, yes I do agree to what you said 'state of emergency' I have been saying this from day one as if they start riots out side the centre's we are unable to handle the situation.

Therefore, the Government should and must act in the interest of this country and for the future for generation to come let us keep this country in the hands of the Maltese only. So please start repatriating all illegal immigrants back if you want to handle the said situation as by burden sharing the problem will only increase.

gustav privitelli

Mar 23rd 2009, 13:51

It is very easy to comment and criticize when you are in opposition and it is so different when you are carrying the responsibility .

Sandro Pace

Mar 23rd 2009, 13:35

Unlike us, they know the value of protests.

People from warring countries unite in protesting against us.
Maltese failed to unite for two hours to protest against an invasion. Just because it was organised by a political party, which never asked for the vote anyway. Who is most tribal?

Even Joseph Muscat PL is sending wrong messages with his speeches. He says we should not be tough with these people. And they listen.

Mario Micallef

Mar 23rd 2009, 13:33

Well done to those who voice their concern on the immigrants state...who are the unfortunate ones?? I guess these are our security forces...who are seldomly thanked in public...what a shame!! How can these immigrants act civilly if they never saw civilisation?!?!? Funny stuff..i guess it is disgusting!!

O. Grech

Mar 23rd 2009, 12:48

I think that is enough now. Malta should stand up and defend our country and our citizens. There is time for diplomacy and negotiation but there is time for action. I recall Dr. Gonzi say that government has sometimes to take tough decisions. Like the water and electricity, the budget etc...The government, rightly so, discussed with the parties concerned but then had to take tough decisions. And i m fine with that...and now that what should happen to. We tried with the EU. It seems that the EU is turning its back to us and so we take our own decisions and send back illegal immagrants. We have to ensure the well being of us Maltese first and not of foreigners and ignore what EU or Euronews or other organasations say like the EU is ignoring us.

On a more humoristic note, the government should rent a safer boat to the illegal immagrants that arrive in Malta and send them to the EU illegally. Then we will see what the EU countries do...maybe then they will say...ahhh Malta was right.

N.Grima

Mar 23rd 2009, 12:44

@ Joe Galea.... if I remember well, Joe Muscat wanted to improve their education so they can integrate - I guess the computers and projector were there for decoration? Muscat is trying to collect votes all over the place. If there is ONE thing I admired of Alfred Sant, that was him standing by some kind of principle (independent of how crazy these were). Muscat should decide what he thinks before writing useless uninformed reports - howabout going to the EU and talking to his EU party instead? Indeed, he should have done that when he worked in Brussels after opposing entry into the EU.

Joseph Calleja

Mar 23rd 2009, 12:44

One Maltese citizen was hurt and that is enough reason for the government to take some kind of action. Who is the MISKIN ( poor soul) now?

Dr Savior Tortell Pisani

Mar 23rd 2009, 12:37

There we go... THEY'RE AT IT AGAIN!! Now don't tell me that this isn't really getting out of hand! With a 500 strong riot... Things can go very very bad! Not only for law enforcement officials but also for the residents of the area!!! Now, I'm sure the families of all these policemen and soldiers involved would rather see their loved ones working in a safer place! What will happen when the numbers in detention rises to 10 fold? Will everybody stick to his arguments and treat the situation like its a Piece of Cake?

John F. GALEA

Mar 23rd 2009, 12:34

I appeal to the Auhorities to stop talking and deliberating, wasting precious time; start repatriating. Stop sacrificing our soldiers at sea to bring in said illegals. Hunt down and crack upon the international criminals organising these illegal sailings and charge them with extortioin, human trafficing and mass murder for all those drownings they have caused. The EU is diplomatically eyewashing us with some sort of funds to elevate our burdens to which funds we ultimately are contributors. Please show the rest oif the world, same as Australia did, that we would stand no more nonsense from any quarters. Send to Euro News pictures of the ring leaders in to-day's riots and the expensive damage these 500 rioters have carried out, simply because they were legally informed that they are not entitled to asylum after a fair and equitable legal process of all asylum seekers on our tiny island. This is the way these illegals show gratitude for all the kindness and hospitality - rescue at sea, accomodation, food, clothing, education, medical, a monthly cheque and some also working illegally without pay tax and national insurance contribution. All the above at the expense of the hardworking, already overburdened maltese citizen.

frank vella

Mar 23rd 2009, 12:32

taken to court? and then sent to prison? ! bet the conditions in our prisons are far better than those they left behind in their own country.

Y. Vella

Mar 23rd 2009, 12:28

and we continue supporting them.... my husband is a soldier as well and i can selfishly thank God that he does not work 40 hours with them... there are a lot of stories going around... threats etc.... only deaf will not hear them that continuing accepting their entry in Malta is only to our danger... I am not racist but i am a civilian with rights too.... having computers damaged after the Malta Government invested, makes me feel .... sad yes... because i pay taxes to be put in rubbish.... what a shame

Michael Neville Cassar

Mar 23rd 2009, 12:27

To whom it may concern, Please send them back from where they came from .No more BUTS, and IF we will not be able to control these situations without lose of life.

David Buhagiar

Mar 23rd 2009, 12:13

I am just upset, shocked and in anger to hear such news. My support is to the personnel injured whilst doing their duty. This is the thanks that these migrants give us. I ask just one thing...you hear some say we've got to respect them...but hey where's the respect for the Maltese Community after accepting them and giving all their needs?

Johan Mula (SAFI)

Mar 23rd 2009, 12:11

Does the interior minister now still thinks that the situation is not critical and that its being inflated by Joseph Muscat and other politicians? This is not the first time that this thing has happened in the Safi detention centre. As a citizen living in Safi I don`t feel safe anymore and I am very concerned for the security of my children. We are even scared to leave our kids playing outdoors nowadays. Everyone here is terrified when we hear the sound of a helicopter which I can tell you that is becoming quite frequently now. Wake up government, admit that this is a national crisis now and start doing something concrete about it for the sake of the maltese citizens before its too late! Before the blood of any Maltese citizen is shed!

Herbert Guillaumier

Mar 23rd 2009, 12:01

At least this time, ring leaders were identified and arrested. It is high time such leaders are taken to court and, if found guilty of causing the damage, should be flown back home and not put into jail.

Bertie Spiteri

Mar 23rd 2009, 11:49

These Safi rioters are criminals of the lowest category. They came here uninvited and we have treated them like guests. We have given them all the opportunity to prove themselves refugees.
Justification of their criminal actions is scandalous and goes directly against our national interests. The misguided few (and others with hidden agendas) may resort to all the usual moral cackle and philosophical cacophony. But that’s as far as they have a right to go. Beyond that is defence of criminal action which is disgraceful, immoral and maybe just as criminal too.
These invaders came here without documents and uninvited. We met them with a mighty lot of goodwill, Christian patience and hospitality on our part. They may have enjoyed, then, some comfort of a moral justification. BUT the minute they were refused refugee status they lost that too. invaders and as such have now greatly abused our patience.

Egauci

Mar 23rd 2009, 11:44

The authorities should have called MSF or Jacques Barrot or any EU official. I'm sure that these 'irregular imigrants' would have sat down and listened..

MARIO TABONE-VASSALLO

Mar 23rd 2009, 11:37

FROM YESTERDAY'S NEW YORK TIMES: “It is a burden,” Ali Abd Alaziz Isawi, who served for two years as the minister of economy, trade and investment, said of the army of illegal immigrants living in Libya. “They are a burden on health care, they spread disease, crime. They are illegal.”

jcmicallef

Mar 23rd 2009, 11:35

why are we panicking?

i witnessed another similar scene this morning - at the Luqa Lidl stores!!!!

...and the people were not trying to escape to mainland europe or waiting for asylum. but it sure made me embarassed to say that i'm maltese.

F J Brincat

Mar 23rd 2009, 11:35

Maybe EU Justice Commissioner Jacques Barrot would like to come to Malta again and speak to the detainees at Safi Barracks - unaccompanied as last time, so that the detainees can express themselves freely, without fear.

g.c.Forte

Mar 23rd 2009, 11:19

@ J. Oatmon......You have your opinion and I will respect that, but unfortunately still I believe that they cannot be kept locked up for months/ years. I am not agreeing for what they are doing, breaking things that WE have to pay for, but put yourself instead of them, if their application as asylum has been not granted, it is our responsibility to repatriate them with human dignity, but the question is where? I do not agree ( in my opinion) to leave them locked up and treat them as prisoners.I know and understand that you cannot leave them running around, but if ( suggestion) you keep them busy by making them work (certain work) like cleaning places like valleys ect..ect..they realize that they are human beings.We need to make their stay short as it can be, and that is the problem.

Karl Glanville

Mar 23rd 2009, 11:09

We still moan about condemnation of the distatsteful memories of the political-related riots we had in 70s and 80s, and in doing so, we are always less aware that we are actually re-living them, with one big difference.....The Riots are non-political, but organized by foreigners who came to our island illegally, and have no right to stay here!

John Debono

Mar 23rd 2009, 11:01

I feel that it is a shame to hear such news, just two days after Euro News showed a feature on the situation of illegal immigrants in Malta. But what euro news did not show, is the riots that our soldiers and police have to face. And what about the expenses to repair damage and pay these personnel. What euro news did not show is the medical treatment these persons receive at Mater dei hospital, and we Maltese have to wait for months on a waiting list.

Brian Maloret

Mar 23rd 2009, 10:42

Another day and yet another incident concerning illegal immigrants and the drain they are putting on the resources of the Maltese authorities be it the police, AFM, the medical profession, etc. It is never ending and as each day passes the situation seems to worsen.

N Borg

Mar 23rd 2009, 10:31

they are outnumbering us!!!

Joe Grima

Mar 23rd 2009, 10:26

My steadfast support to the army personnel who weree injured in this fracas and also to the men and officers whose daily, thankless job is to take care of the detention centres. Sooner or later this Goverenment will have to take a stand on illegal immigrants, whether the prompting comes from Joseph Muscat or from within its own ranks. My advice is not to let this situation detreriorate to a point where some local hotheads will find it necessary to take the law into their own hands with tragic consquences. We have seen enough, heard enough, experienced enough garbage at the hands of these illegals, who we support with our own taxes, to be able to warn the authorities not to try Maltese patience to breaking limits. Reactions to the injuries caused to our men this morning read like a tragedy in the making.

deb bugeja ``

Mar 23rd 2009, 10:23

We get critized from other EU members that we are not doing enough for them. Let see how much they are appreciating what we do for them. The most serious damage they have done is breaking up computers and a projector. do they realise that there are families struggling to buy computers for their children?

What about the soldier who was injured. if it was the other way round we will be called racists. but it is no big deal that our soldiers are being hurt by illegal immigrants. These soldiers have families too. this is only the beginning. things will get worse they are so demandin either they want jobs, they want homes because they say they are homeless.

a. sciberras

Mar 23rd 2009, 10:14

komplu sejrin hekk! well done malta!
it's all coming out of the tax payers pockets - money which should be invested in something more worthwhile and which is more useful & appreciated more!

J. Grima

Mar 23rd 2009, 10:08

Do the French newpapers publish these stories? I guess not!

Robert Caruana

Mar 23rd 2009, 10:07

According to the news report, the migrants involved in this riot have all had their applications for asylum rejected. Therefore at this stage it has already been established that they have no right at all to be here and are neither refugees nor are they entitled to any form of humanitarian protection - they are in detention pending repatriation (hopefully this will be possible to carry out). They should not be confused with those who do genuinely deserve protection. In fact these illegal migrants are costing the state (us) a lot of money, creating problems for the armed forces and also creating all sorts of difficulties and overcrowding in detention centres to the detriment of those immigrants who are genuinely entitled to protection under our international obligations.

mike pace

Mar 23rd 2009, 10:02

Its time and enough is enough. The government should take harsh stand and send these people to their homelands before trouble gets worse and Maltese citizens will be hurt seriously.
Good luck to all armed forces for the good work and patience with these people,

malcolm azzopardi

Mar 23rd 2009, 10:02

The most serious damage, however, was caused to the migrants' education centre within the barracks, where computers and a projector were destroyed.......it is a clear sign they do not want to be educated because those civilised know that education is the key to the future thus they do not go about destroyig schools and education centres. KEEP ON DREAMING THAT INTEGRATION IS POSSIBLE!!!!!

martin gauci

Mar 23rd 2009, 09:47

What !!!!!! Over 500 illegal immigrants whose pleas for asylum has been rejected and are still HERE!!!. What are we waiting for to get them out of the country. How about landing them in Czech Republic as the current president of the EU......

Charles Micallef

Mar 23rd 2009, 09:40

What a waste of expensive Police and AFM resources, when they could be doing the job the get paid to do, protect the ordinary citizens..............the ones who pay the taxes.

Adrian Cachia

Mar 23rd 2009, 09:34

I am no racist and I am friendly with anyone of them who is decent and educated and respects that they are better off here then in their country. I understand that what they go through is painful and they risk their life but.......things do not work like that at all!! What they burn and what they damage should not be replaced and if fires are started they have to contain them. Fireman are risking their life and we are paying taxes!! Prepare paint buckets and tools for them to fix the damage!!

J Oatmon

Mar 23rd 2009, 09:33

@ g.c.Forte

I disagree with the 'at war, must escape' theory, it is wrong. The wanton destruction of computers and equipment is not the act of an escapee, an escapee would try to slip away unoticed.

These acts are the acts of rioters pure and simple - they want mayhem and they have nothing to loose, what can we do - 'lock them up' - we are already doing that.

The only answer is repatriation, in my view, unless someone has a better idea?

Charmaine Chetcuti

Mar 23rd 2009, 09:32

I do hope that the pcs and projector are not replaced. They have to understand that they do not have to destroy facilities that are being used to help them to get their message across.

Michael Neville Cassar

Mar 23rd 2009, 09:31

We want leadership NOW OLD IDEAS ARE OUT OF DATE. It is not me who is asking, BUT the size of THIS SMALL ISLAND . All we have to do is look at our roads we have so many cars that it is quicker to walk. We simply cannot make Malta a Prison.

John Carmel Navarro

Mar 23rd 2009, 09:27

Just cannot see the argument of ‘Prisoner of war escaping’ These Illegal immigrants arrived here uninvited and are now abusing our hospitality. There is no in between line, maybe it is time for the Government to demand from other European Community Members, their troops to help guard these Detention Centres.

Charles Sammut

Mar 23rd 2009, 09:12

And the minister insists that the situation is under control.

Keep honouring those so called "International Obligations" and Malta as we knew it will be history in 5 years' time.

C.Sapiano

Mar 23rd 2009, 09:05

@Joe Galea

Why what did JM say about escaping migrants? Has he the intention of building them a hotel so that they do not escape? Did he say how much money he needs to spend to improve detention centres? Everybody agrees with JM, that detention centres should be improved, but his plan lacks reality as he was not specific about the way things should be done.

g.c.Forte

Mar 23rd 2009, 09:04

When you are at war and been captured, one of the rights you will have is to escape so you continue your mission.That is what these illegal migrants are doing. They are at war,not with us,but with the circumstances that they are living in their country. If we are keeping them as prisoners; their mission is to escape, maybe they will get a chance and leave this country to a new life. What is sure is that they do not came here to remain locked up. This is the point,and that is why it is not just a problem, but a "state of emergency", because if all of them start a riot, we are not ready to handle the situation.

Joseph Micallef

Mar 23rd 2009, 09:03

@ J. Oatman.
Same way as not all are good people, not all are criminals neither. Just to clear that out because you seem to make an emphasis on the bad ones for some reason!

R. Caruana

Mar 23rd 2009, 09:03

@ Joe Galea

Where in 'Joseph's' 20 points do you find that there will be no rioting???????????????

victor vella

Mar 23rd 2009, 08:50

Joe Galea you are out of point as much as JM was .I fully agree withJ Oatmon, now if they are here they must adhere to our lawsand they are to be investigated,I sincerely hope that no law enforcement officers is hurt cause then these migrants have to answer to us Maltese people

malcolm seychell

Mar 23rd 2009, 08:43

We have everything under control - Minister Mifsud Bonnici

J Oatmon

Mar 23rd 2009, 08:37

There is a one sided view that all illegal immigrants are oppressed people in search of a better future in another country. There are of course other illegal immigrants some are escaping from crimes they have committed in their own countries, and they have fled justice and are simply criminals on the run. It could be a guy kills someone in an argument, and flees the village to escape justice, and heads overseas.

There are criminals in all countries and groups of people, and illegal immigrants are no different, there are undoubtedly some violent individuals with no respect for others or property, or the rule of law.

So looking at all illegal immigrants as 'benign groups of ordinary people seeking a better life' is incorrect, there are very bad violent criminals mixed in with these groups. It may not be what you want to hear but it is very probably the truth.

GEORGE CUTAJAR

Mar 23rd 2009, 08:34

HERE WE GO AGAIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joe Galea

Mar 23rd 2009, 08:27

This enforces the 20points made by JM last week. All those who fired their cannons against Joseph Muscat last week, you can enjoy again what is happening now with your partisan thinking.

Keep it up JM. You are our future.