Editorial
Implications of migrants' riot and break-out
Not for the first time, illegal immigrants based at Safi barracks have rioted and broken out of their compounds. The difference this time was that more military and police personnel suffered injuries than before, albeit thankfully slight, and the rioting appears to have arisen as a result of the authorities' decision to separate rejected asylum-seekers from the rest.
Although the burning of the tents serving as an education centre for the benefit of the immigrants made for some disturbing pictures of apparent mayhem and destruction, there is a need, as always, to keep a sense of perspective. The burning of the tents, and with them some extremely costly equipment and educational aids, is to be deplored, especially as it was there to serve the interests of the immigrants themselves. It must be noted, however, that the situation within the compounds was quickly brought under control by the rapid and firm reaction of the Armed Forces of Malta and the police Special Assignment Group. The Civil Protection Department and other police personnel were also in attendance. Within about two and a half hours of the break-out, the situation was back to normal, the majority of immigrants had returned to detention and the alleged ring leaders were reportedly identified and arrested. A migrant from Guinea was yesterday accused of causing over €1,100 damages to the detention centre, a charge he denied.
What had sparked the outbreak of rioting and the attempted escape was, it is thought, the decision to corral about 600 or so rejected asylum-seekers into one compound to make it easier for their subsequent repatriation from Malta to their country of origin to be effected. The rumoured presence of African diplomats in Malta to discuss their repatriation may have also stoked the rejected immigrants' concerns.
While the logic of the move is understood it is possible that, doing so, inevitably emboldened those affected - with nothing to lose - to take the sort of violent action witnessed on Monday. Their fury at knowing rejection of their case really means what it says, and that the government is determined they should be sent back, consequently erupted in violence. It may be argued that the old system of keeping rejected asylum seekers with those still awaiting the hearing of their case could be a better option as those whose cases have not yet been heard - and with everything to lose - could act as a calming force in such circumstances.
The vital question, however, which this serious incident raises is whether there will come a point when the ability of the authorities to cope will be called into question. There can be little doubt that if all 2,000 or so illegal immigrants in detention today were to rise as one, the police and the armed forces would find themselves severely stretched.
How likely is this? It would take a very fevered imagination and would be stretching credulity considerably to suppose that those immigrants placed in eight or nine separate, guarded and secure compounds, spread out in three distinct locations at Safi, Ħal Far and Ta' Kandja, would mount a concerted and coordinated violent break-out of the kind experienced at one compound on Monday. Nevertheless, highly unlikely though such a scenario may be, the police and the armed forces would be wise to review their contingency plans to ensure that, in such an eventuality - or something approaching it - the forces of law and order would be able to keep matters under control.
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Evarist Saliba
Mar 26th 2009, 14:57
What most bloggers have overlooked, and the editorial has not stressed enough, is that this riot was caused by immigrants who, after a careful study of their individual cases, have been found not to be entitled to refugee status.
So, here we have a group of people who entered Malta illegally, or by accident while trying to enter Italy illegally, bringing forward a claim that they are refugees, and when this claim is not upheld, they break up the place where they are staying.
The riot had nothing to do with the conditions in which they had stayed for quite sometime. It was just a demand that, by hook or by crook, they now want Mata to serve as a stepping stone to Europe.
Can anyone defend, or condone, such behaviour?
L..Galea
Mar 25th 2009, 22:53
Mike O'Hara
Do you never read British newspapers, the BBC, etc.
Wake up Mike, this is the 21st century with the www, radio, Tv, mobiles, satcomms.....
John Borg
Mar 25th 2009, 18:48
Louise Vella: and I am impressed at how you take every opportunity to highlight the negatives and wash over the positives when it comes to immigration. Has anyone here ever said that all immigrants are candidates for sainthood? Or that they should be out of reach of the law?
John Borg
Mar 25th 2009, 18:37
Isobel Mcgonigle: aren't your so-called "unwelcome illegal visitors" also the ones that provide you and other U.K. citizens (or are you still called "subjects"?) with bus drivers, nurses, teachers, first-class athletes, respected politicians, clergymen and so on? I was fortunate not to witness the Bradford riots but I have witnessed English football hooligans in action and they did not look like illegal immigrants to me.
Isobel Mcgonigle
Mar 25th 2009, 17:35
@Mike O,Hara
Sir for your information, I lived in Chapeltown, Leeds.
Our Colonial friends slowly took over that area of the City turning it into a no go area.It reached the stage where I was afraid to leave my house,especially in the hours of darkness.
One day they decided to have a riot,I was locked in my house petrified,my windows along with many others were put through, my car set alight, petrol bombs, plus various other missiles thrown at the police, culminating in millions of pounds worth of damage.
Sir, pray tell me? You have never heard or seen of any riots in the U.K? or France and many other countries of Europe? If not, then I suggest you check it out, and check who is responsible for these wanton acts of criminal damage.
Mike O'Hara
Mar 25th 2009, 15:59
Isobel McGonigle
Riots in UK cities by illegal immigrants - just when did these take place? There have been occasional disturbances, but to imply illegals and only illegals were involved is ridiculous. We have plenty of native-born head-cases to cause such trouble, which fortunately is rare.
louise vella
Mar 25th 2009, 15:39
Most of these immigrants are not only illegal. Their background is also unknown. Of course they destroy their documents before boarding their boats. What the sob stories we read never say is that it is likely that some (perhaps many) of these illegal immigrants have some
military background or experience - more so than our AFM and police force.
louise vella
Mar 25th 2009, 15:08
Malta has always been a peaceful country. From time to time domestic problems among Maltese erupt into violence, but such incidents are rare and far between.
Since the massive influx of illegal immigrants, incidents have become more frequent. Members of our security forces are constantly at risk. What benefit has Malta reaped from the influx of illegal immigrants?
When incidents happen I am impressed by the silence of the usual defenders of illegal immigrants. What are the comments of UNHCR and the NGOs on the recent incidents?
Isobel Mcgonigle
Mar 25th 2009, 10:37
I endorse Mr Dali's comments excellent editorial.
Speaking from expierience,as one who witnessed the Bradford riots,plus riots in Leeds U.K.,plus various other riots in the streets of the U.K.perpetrated by these unwelcome illegal visitors to the countries of Europe.
Is Malta prepared?
Dorianne Mallia
Mar 25th 2009, 10:13
Dr. Busuttil is right in exhorting authorities to have a contingency plan in the offing. He is wrong, however, to assumer that this is unlikely. After all we give them mobile phones that are fully expensed by the Maltese tax-payer to make such co-ordination easier.
This also brings out the point that Dr. Busuttil fails to tackle about the problem itself. It is useless trying to fight the shadow of a problem but have to fight the problem itself - illegal immigration. his respect, government's inaction and recent soft-action is appalling and should be cause for concern.
Let us just hope that the next elections will give government enough of a jolt for him to decide to move.
Andrew Hughes
Mar 25th 2009, 10:07
I am afraid I completely disagree with this editorial as it seems to ask all the wrong questions. What we should be asking is whether the conditions of the camps are humane or not and why we cannot find another solution to this problem. All these people have done is attempt to seek a better life for themselves, doing what we ourselves would probably do if we are spirited people if we were to find themselves in the same situation as them. Our Christian response to this is to lock them up in what is, by another name, a prison. We can and must do better than this.
Franco Farrugia
Mar 25th 2009, 09:21
The penultimate paragraph of this Editorial is very enlightening and everyone in his right senses can see the danger of the presence of so many immigrants in Malta. I do not believe that as things are now, the authorities will be able to control such an eventuality as nobody wishes to see. If things had to come to this point, there would certainly be unpleasantness all round, and then, what will the authorities, local and abroad, say?
Hence, once again, the need to reduce the number of immigrants in this country as soon as possible.
Michelle Dali
Mar 25th 2009, 09:16
Excellent Editorial - it's always best to be prepared for the worst...