500 illegal immigrants break out of compound

Charles Alamango

Mar 26th 2009, 19:33

We`all know that the illegal immigrant problem is here to stay. No matter what we say or do we are now committed to somehow contain this problem. Furthermore I'm sure that Maltese tenacity will somehow eradicate this situation. In the meantime I suggest a far more secure compound for the illegal immigrants that are not granted repatriation and will eventually be returned back to their countries. They are becoming impossible to control as they are now realising that they are in a hopeless situation.

Joe Scerri

Mar 26th 2009, 19:18

Can the vast majority of the Maltese LEGAL RESIDENTS be blamed if they start having heavily biased views ( for the sake of not using the word racist) when these very serious incidents happen again and again?

My sympathy goes solely to the injured security personnel who are doing a thankless job.

And PLEASE stop comparing ILLEGAL immigrants to the LEGAL immigrants who are living overseas.

Guze Xerri

Mar 26th 2009, 17:47

@ Chris Vidal,

Malta is too small and its culture is too vulnerable to host thousand upon thousands of illegal invaders.

12,000 illegal invaders in a native population of 400,000 is 3%, that is more than any EU nation ever got, and more invaders want to come over.
Clearly an unsustainable proposition for a 122 sq. mile nation with few resources and a high taxed native population in a bad economy.

Having a legal and structured immigration policy set up in African countries, by the large nations that can afford and want legal immigrants, is the way to go.
In the meantime, any illegal immigration to any law abiding nation is not acceptable or tolerated.

Chris Vidal

Mar 26th 2009, 17:16

@ J Cini
it was not needed to give us the area of these countries. area as such does not count....you can have half of that area not livable...maybe desert or what ever. what ever you were saying about humiliation etc has nothing to do with the argument.
@Guze Xerri
i agree with you that most people emigrated lawfully but there were a minority that either because they were in a very bad situation or because of other reasons that decided to go illegally. still i cannot think that their situation was worse that that of these people from Africa.
with the same argument also even Malta did not even have 1% of the population (at least known) coming from illegal immigration. and what is the problem if they deserve the status of refugee and work lawfully in Malta? usually they do jobs the Maltese does not want to do and some Christian employers abuse from them too. in your last sentence it is easy said than done..well you have some ideas maybe what to do in such situations to change the governments of these countries. everyone has one life and wish to make the best out of..it

Guze Xerri

Mar 26th 2009, 14:08

@ Chris Vidal,

Your comparison is not valid, most Maltese people immigrated lawfully, the few that did not, mainly to the UK, are miniscule in number.
The USA, Canada, Australia, and the UK did not get 3% of their respective population through Maltese people illegally landing on their shores in open boats all year long in a short time span.

The illegal invader can to better by staying in their country of birth and work towards making their nation a livable place.

J.Cini

Mar 26th 2009, 12:47

@ C.Vidal..
You are seriously comparing the flooding of Malta (316 sq Km) with people from Africa (30,244,000sq Km) to the Maltese "flooding" into Australia (7,692,024sq Km), Canada (9,093,507), USA (9,161,923)? Ha hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha......
And how tragically ironic is it for the Maltese to be lumbered with this problem now after having endured centuries of suffering and humiliation as a result of regional rivalries between the very same powers who occupied these African failed states!

joe mercieca

Mar 26th 2009, 11:20

din sistema hazina, il maltin juru hafna hasra lejn il barrani, nahseb ahjar juru hasra ma hutna il maltin , li huma fil bzonn, ghax il grazzi jispiccaw vendikazjoni.

David Seychell

Mar 26th 2009, 11:16

Every week, either there's a new riot or new escapings. I'm afraid that the frequency of these unfortunate happenings won't boost our tourism.

chris vidal

Mar 26th 2009, 09:19

@Guzi Xerri, Joseph Cauchi, Joe Xuereb
obviously there were people that emigrated to uk legally but also there were those that emigrated illegally especially during the 80s, and 90s i know of cases that went there and stayed there..convenience marriage etc. also i have experience of how difficult it is to get residence permit to some countries and i was able to do it because i had the means to do it including money for applications, document etc but not everyone in this world is able to do it because there are people that have no means. there are people that want to do things like other normal people but simply they cannot. they want to be educated but they cannot. it was very hard to get a visa even for myself so you can imagine people that do not have money and not even access to the system. there are people that do not find even water and electricity at home...if they have a home at all plus they are living in a dangerous environment. so what do you do if you are in this situation. probably you will risk taking a boat either for better life or die.

Joe Ciliberti

Mar 25th 2009, 15:39

Even while I am making use of this medium thanks to 'The Times', it makes me wonder how local journalists have not shown us pictures of the mayhem illegal immigrants left in their trail after yesterday's riot. They've torn the perimiter fence, they burnt down whole rooms including office furniture, they smashed anything in sight, threw 'bleach' to one senior army officer and more. Have we seen any pictures of all this? Has the press asked to picture the mayhem after the riot? Nothing. I remember the insistance the press exerted on the government and army to open the detention centres to journalists some months which just shows the partiality in this whole tragedy. Instead, today we were regaled by a full-page article about a family of 5 that the ever-so-kind United States is taking away from this island for good.
I respect 'The Times' and its journalists but I have no doubt that when it comes to illegal immigration, 'The Times' is failing us miserably. We are still being shown pictures from 30 years ago when 'The Times' HQ was burnt down by thugs but nothing from what happened only yesterday in our midst. Where has impartiality gone?

Joe Xuereb

Mar 25th 2009, 15:08

cont./ To some, too many, the minute I open my mouth and admit - it is make to seem like a crime - that I earned my living in what was then, after all, my home from home, I am instantly shot down like a bird who has no right to fly (pun intended); a person with no clout, no voice. A traitor by any other name. Whither Malta? as a commentator here signs off. Or at least as aptly, whence Malta?

Joe Xuereb

Mar 25th 2009, 14:59

@ Mr. Chris Vidal. I came to UK in 1961 as a teenager. I lived on my own from the word go and still do. I looked after myself and was never out of work. In almost half a century I never claimed a penny's social security. I left a teaching post in Malta so seeking to better myself socially, if nothing else, I had something to contribute. And I did, I did. I am retired now. The dream was to come back to my country when I became free to do so. But given the situation, return to what? I have not even been back for a holiday in ten years (I used to come two or three times a year when my country still had a semblance of the country I had left years ago). Now I can only look in from the outside. The minute I open my mouth and air my views on this and other matters, I am unceremoniously shot down. cont./

Ronnie Gauci

Mar 25th 2009, 09:36

@ Franco Farrugia

Nobody is laughing at Mr. Galea's comments apart from you, for many this is the only solution if we don't want to end up as an extension of Africa, where immigrants are placed until somebody decides to accept them in their country and till now nobody has come forward. Till then they are becoming unpatient and are also threathening our national security.

Put them on the same boat they came in, give them food, water and fuel and return them to sender, to Libya. why their problem has become ours? They dont even stop them from crossing the desert any more, they take their money and send them to us. For them illegal immigration is something positive, it's business.

How many more immigrants have to come till people like yourself will open their eyes? 50/60 thousand? How many?? We're already half way there.... Of course for many this problem only concerns Birzebbugia, Safi and Marsa residents so who cares! But it will not remain this way for long rest assured.

Nicholas McAvoy

Mar 25th 2009, 09:36

Malta is a microscopic island when compared to other countries fo the EU and yet we have the highest percentage pro capita of illegal immigrants. The burden this is placing on our very finite resources is unprecendented. Any initiative aimed at either repatriating or "helping" these unwanted guests along to other destinations, obviously via legal means, should be backed unanimously.

For ONCE Malta, let's do away with partisan politics and unneccesary speculative talk. Let us for once think rationally and take action that needs to be taken.

We need a stronger, more concerted effort to solve this problem. Whatever solution or solutions be agreed upon should then NOT become an opportunity for political point scoring. If we manage to significantly reduce this problem EVERYONE will benefit including our tiny, tourism bolstered economy.

My only hope lies in the fact that we Maltese are survivors, we have come through a lot but we're still here. This is just proving to be a tougher nut to crack, that is all. In time if our resolve is not squandered in petty bickering, we will come up with a solution that is truly in OUR best national interest.

noel mifsud

Mar 25th 2009, 05:18

How abt thinking that when anybody make a riot the aauthority double the detention period for three years. This may help them to think twice what to do. And if they do it again they will be repatriated instantly. What do you think

Guze Xerri

Mar 24th 2009, 21:53

@ Chris Vidal,

Every Maltese immigrant I know of, immigrated legally after a long vetting process including health checks with chest X-rays, and police good conduct records , all this was done in Malta months and even years before the go ahead could be given, if at all.

No need for revisionist history Mr. Vidal.
Illegality is illegality, no nation puts up with it.

Once we landed in the country of emigration, we worked legally, we did not go on the dole or expected to be housed for free and fed.

We put up with a ton of racism , years of exclusion and did jobs no one wanted to do in the new countries.
Malta is too miniscule to accept thousands and future millions of illegal invaders that land on our shore.

You might as well get every Maltese off these islands and make Malta part of Africa in one big sweep, and just hand it over to the hoards, instead of what is happening in incremental steps now.
The results in decades to come will be the same.

Eric Soames

Mar 24th 2009, 21:27

I said this before, it bears repeating as a long term solution while carrying out repatriation.
Process them faster, begin staunching the flow at source if possible but an EU wide movement to drastically tighten up the 'arms wide open policy' needs to be started at the grass roots level. There are plenty of European citizens equally alarmed at the problems, extant and to come, in their own countries. The euro-politicos will have to take notice and if necessary pass legislation and reshape the federation to the people's will. It may not be too late if the doors are slammed shut for twenty five years or so.

James De Giorgioj

Mar 24th 2009, 20:42

What's the problem with sending them back? Send them back!

Ronald Galea

Mar 24th 2009, 19:59

and the joke is that:
"Three security personnel injured" but "No injuries were reported to immigrants during the riot and throughout the riot squad's operation"

Joseph Cauchi

Mar 24th 2009, 19:55

@ Chris Vidal,

For accuracy’s sake.

Those Maltese emigrants who went to Britain did not do so illegally, due to the fact, that Malta was a British Commonwealth country and all the Maltese had a British passport.

Britain at that time, prior to our independence in 1964, was our Mother country.

So all those Maltese who went to Britain before that period were returning to their Mother country, naturally!

So, for goodness sake, please know your history and if you are going to quote historical facts, please first check your facts!

Stop misinterpreting history!

../..

steve elliott,uk

Mar 24th 2009, 19:44

just read paragraph 10 and ask yourself WHY?

s camilleri

Mar 24th 2009, 19:42

I am sorry for our brother who had bleach thrown in his eye. I hope it does not become a permanent reminder of those he has to deal with.

As for these uncivilised people send them back to where they came from and do not use my taxes for resuppliying what they destroyed. Use money donated to charities for that specific purpose but not my tax money. I want it spent on our own people.

James A. Tyrrell

Mar 24th 2009, 19:36

@Franco Farrugia. What was so funny about the comment made by L Galea? What he say is the right solution.

Franco Farrugia

Mar 24th 2009, 19:07

@ L Galea: Don't make us laugh ... again!

Michelle Dali

Mar 24th 2009, 16:49

These riots are trouble that Malta can do without! We have been warning the government for a long time that the situation would undoubtedly get out of control - and sure enough it has...

If these illegal immigrants have had their claims for asylum turned down, they must be deported as soon as possible.

L..Galea

Mar 24th 2009, 16:43

Franco Farrugia
The practical solution has been given many times. Put them in their own boats, tow them to the Libyan waters and point them to the Libyan shore and give them the marching orders.

louise vella

Mar 24th 2009, 15:47

In a DOI press release on 1 February about the ship carrying 262 illegal immigrants, the government said that most of them should be repatriated because they come from countries not qualifying for refugee status. According to my count 63 have been repatriated so far, but another section of the press said almost one-third of them were, that is about 87.

Can the government tell us how many exactly? And how many have been reptriated out of the 227 illegal immigrants that came in mid-February on another ship? The Maltese people need to know for their SERHAN il-MOHH.

louise vella

Mar 24th 2009, 15:41

"Some immigrants were protesting against their detention and others against being sent back home, army sources said. Some of them may have got wind of the presence of African diplomats in Malta last week who were here to discuss the possibility of repatriating immigrants. No further details of this visit were available yesterday."

Repatriation is not only essential but must be carried out with full publicity. Of course there is a risk of disturbances, but there are advantages. The main one is that all illegal immigrants on the Libyan coast waiting to set sail for Europe (said to number about 2 million) will know there is no point coming to Malta because they will be sent to their countries. Repatriation will discourage others from coming.

M. Micallef

Mar 24th 2009, 13:53

All they deserve is to be all send back to their country. How can we respect them if they are so arrogant?

C. Azzopardi

Mar 24th 2009, 13:51

@Kenneth Galea
Actually Tunisia is part of the African continent aswell!! Just thought I'd point it out :))

duncan Tanti

Mar 24th 2009, 12:29

Do we need any more proof that something has to be done?They are causing trouble at the time when they know that the changing of shifts happen.these are crafty guys.but yesterday the army personell showed that they mean business.well done to everyone involved in the operation.from the top officers to the youngest gunner.

Joseph Cauchi

Mar 24th 2009, 11:47

These riots are becoming a regular event. Luckily, thanks to our security forces, all these riots have been contained, up to now!

However, I am very worried that this situation is a powder keg ready to explode at any moment, now!

What happens if hundreds of these illegal immigrants were to riot and break out of their confines into our streets wrecking havoc as they proceed along?

Or if during this convulsion, a member of our forces or a local citizen or even one of the rioters had to die because of this; what would be the reaction and also the back-lash to this incident be among the local population and also the reaction from the world media?

And what effect would such scenario project to our much important tourist industry?

Malta is playing with fire; and as little children we were always warned of the dire consequences of such behavior can cause!

Now it’s Malta’s time to stand up to our EU partners and say


B A S T A C O N L E P A R O L E ,

A Z I O N E S U B I T O .


../..

Chris Vidal

Mar 24th 2009, 11:43

unfortunately people's lives are made miserable because of decisions taken by politicians in different countries. The situation in Africa is the same, and these people are trying to seek a better life in another country. it is their right and of any other person on the planet to seek a better life. we are citizens of the world and not only of a particular country. Maltese people also sought better lives in other countries including Australia, UK, Canada and US, when times were not so good. there were also Maltese people that emigrated illegally to other other countries especially to UK, maybe not on boats but still illegally. We Maltese expect others to accept us in their countries but we do not accept anyone, with the excuse that we are small. for all those that feel patriotic, do you think that being a Maltese or British etc is a personal achievement? it is purely by chance that it happened that you were born in this country and the same chance could have taken you to the African continent and maybe you will also try to come to Europe on a boat. Maybe also one of your ancestors did the same!

Franco Farrugia

Mar 24th 2009, 11:34

@ Kenneth Galea: Mr Galea, the solution is certainly not an easy one, albeit NECESSARY AND URGENT.

Up to this minute, from all that I have read and heard over the news, NOBODY has come up with a practical and acceptable way of setting about overcoming this problem which is becoming huger by the day.

v.pulis

Mar 24th 2009, 11:31

Yesterday's Times reported that none of the inmates had eacaped yet today on thePBS news it was stated that in fact four illegals had escaped. What's really going on here?
Sweeping the problem under the carpet will not make it go away. in fact it will exacerbate it.

'Four Tunisians were subsequently jailed for six months each after admitting to causing extensive damage.'
Does this mean that the procedures to repatriate them have been suspended and that we have to feed them for six months? PBS reported that each prisoner is costing us 50 euros daily that comes to about 36,000 euros. Coincidentally, that is exactly the reported cost of the damage caused in yesterday's riot.

Eric Soames

Mar 24th 2009, 11:26

I'm sure my posts of some months ago warning about this turn of events weren't the only ones withheld, now it's news. Sterner means and measures are needed if this sort of thing is to be nipped in the bud, also the safety of army personnel should be paramount.

Dr. John Zammit

Mar 24th 2009, 11:23

This is a warning of what is going to happen if we do not take action immediately. Put them on a ship to Libya from where they came. If we send them to Italy, they will send them back to us. So we send them back to where they came from.

Edward Zammit

Mar 24th 2009, 11:20

For how long the Govt. is going to keep on dragging his feet? Until we hear the News of a tragedy...what are you waiting for Mr Government? Please STOP and LISTEN, this is no political game, we are not interested to hear anymore of your statistics, trying to justify your short comings on this issue!!!
Residents in the vicinities (me and my family are amongst these residents) are living the inconvenience, not to mention the fear. We have immigrants roaming in our roads in the dark hours. A particular case, in Zurrieq, immigrants drunk and shouting in a convenience shop, claiming that he was discriminated....
For how long we're going to keep on being ignored. No mater what the authorities say, the centres surrounding areas of Marsa, Safi, HalFar became no go areas for us. I used to go cycling with my wife and son, down from Zurrieq to Hal Far back through Safi, that is out of the question nowadays. MR. GOVT. STOP LISTENING TO YOURSELF.

Kenneth Galea

Mar 24th 2009, 10:36

@Franco Farrugia
Other EU countries have removal centres for those whose asylum application has been turned down. These countries also have a fast track system but none of this seems to exist in Malta. We never had to deal with this illegal activity before so no surprises here that we are ill prepared.
Franco maybe we will not get illegal immigrants this spring/summer because we are in Maroni's hands now.......What do you think?

Kenneth Galea

Mar 24th 2009, 10:14

I get the impression that illegal immigrants from the Middle East are more troublesome than the Africans. Of course the African diplomats want something in return in order to cooperate with repatriation process.
In any event we reached crisis point, it is not rocket science to work it out. However Carm and Dr Gonzi insist that the situation is under control. They are only trying to calm our fears down and avoid possible demonstrations from the Maltese people.

Franco Farrugia

Mar 24th 2009, 10:03

I do not mean to be alarmist, nor do I intend to stoke the fire - but the reality is there for all to see: things are getting out of hand and something tells me we are quite unprepared for ... well, for what may happen.
We must do everything in our power; as a country, to reduce the number of immigrants in the country. And I say this, mindful of the fact that it will soon be summer and arrivals will increase!
We must also do everything in our power to ensure a rapid reduction in the time that such immigrants spend in Malta - because this only increases the dissatisfaction and hardship of these unfortunate people.

Joe Cordina

Mar 24th 2009, 09:55

These incidents are occurring too often for comfort. High powered water hoses should be installed to quell down similar riots immediatly with minimum risk to the officers guarding these people. The area should also be secured and segmented in smaller occupancy areas to minimise collecitive force.

JOHN F. GALEA

Mar 24th 2009, 09:54

I appeal to the Authorities 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 extortion, human trafficing and mass murder for all those drownings they have caused. The EU is diplomatically eye-washing us with some sort of funds to elevate our burdens to which funds we ultimately are contributors. Please show the rest of 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 wrecked, 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 paying tax and national insurance contribution. All the above at the expense of the hardworking, already overburdened, Maltese citizen.

Charles Sammut

Mar 24th 2009, 09:43

"Some of them may have got wind of the presence of African diplomats in Malta last week who were here to discuss the possibility of repatriating immigrants. No further details of this visit were available yesterday."

And who would have known about this visit and leaked the information? Could it be someone who has been granted access to the detention centres and abuses this facility to foment trouble?