A realistic approach

The migration issue is certainly one of the top concerns of Maltese and Gozitans. I believe it is perceived to be more serious than it actually is, but the fact that we perceive it to be of such importance deserves the attention of all politicians.

The recent debate in Parliament was necessary. It is good to see that politicians do not skirt the issue but debate it in a civil way in order to arrive at solutions that address people's concerns, while at the same time presenting a humane approach to the issue.

Indeed, the level of the debate held in Parliament was one that befits a mature parliamentary debate. The proposals made by members from both sides of the House are congruent with Alternattiva Demokratika's consistent position on the matter, which always advocated a balance between the need to implement solidarity according to international obligations and the urgency to protect the national interest.

Rational and firm proposals are the only way forward to produce a sustainable solution to this phenomenon, and to allay the mass hysteria propagated by ignorance, fear and extremist views. While not abdicating its obligations, Malta should stand firm before the European Union and demand concrete aid in view of its limited resources and size.

The revision of the Dublin Treaty, which should be taking place now, must be speeded up, and remains a strong priority. We wait to see if the other 26 EU member countries' solidarity will be translated into practice. Basically, we expect everyone to recognise that Malta is the external border of the whole of the European Union and not only of Malta itself.

For us, effective responsibility sharing means that the other EU member countries will host within their national borders immigrants who have applied for political asylum in our already overcrowded country.

It is now heartening to hear EU Commissioner Jacques Barrot promising a pilot project on responsibility sharing to be started by the end of next year. However, the start of this project is too far off and we should put as much political pressure as possible to ensure a much earlier beginning to EU responsibility sharing. Indeed, this co-responsibility on the part of the EU should materialise immediately.

At the same time, Malta should continue its diplomatic work to reach an agreement with the Libyan government, from whose territory most of the illegal immigrants are coming to our shores. The EU should be a driving force in ensuring that the agreement with the Libyans materialises. And we want to see it materialise in a concrete and effective way.

Certainly, the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding on search and rescue in open seas between Malta and Libya is a most laudable initiative because this agreement should not only save lives in the sea separating Libya from Lampedusa, Sicily and Malta, but should also serve to crack down on the organised trafficking of illegal migrants.

The issue regarding the traffickers has been totally mishandled till now. There is no doubt that criminal co-operation between some Libyans, Sicilians and Maltese has been the order of the day for the past few years.

I ask myself how it is possible that so little has been done to counter these traffickers. Is it so difficult, in a country like ours - 28 km by 18 km - to track down the masterminds behind this criminal activity? Is it possible that the illegal activity that goes on in the port town of Al Zawarah in Libya goes by unnoticed? I find this hard to believe.

Indeed, all joint efforts of the Maltese, Libyan, Italian and EU authorities should be bent on destroying the illegal trafficking web that has been allowed to operate and proliferate comfortably for so many years. And the penalties for the heartless traffickers of human beings should be strongly increased, if we want to create a real deterrent for those who see human trafficking as a lucrative commercial activity.

Of course, it goes without saying that I agree that detention centres should be better equipped in order to preserve the detainees' dignity and well-being, but at the same time there must be a crackdown on any type of illegality and disrespect of the rule of law. The law of the country should be respected by one and all, foreigners and Maltese.

Helping detainees in our centres to lead an active life while in detention will give them a chance of passing the day engaged in meaningful activity, while preparing them to exercise their acquired skills in the future. Proposals such as the education of detainees regarding Maltese society and culture and their employment in useful work should be encouraged. This is certainly much better than letting them idly wait in boredom for hours on end.

These are some of the immediate measures that have to be taken with regard to illegal migration. Of course, in the long term it is in the interest of all concerned to have greater dialogue and co-operation between the richer nations on the northern shores of the Mediterranean and the poorer ones in the south.

What is needed is real and equitable socio-economic development in the countries from where migrants originate in order to provide them with decent working opportunities at home.

Until this long-term aim is achieved, the EU is duty-bound to act in solidarity with Malta, in an effective and prompt way, far removed from the Brussels rhetoric and eurospeak so much in use till now.

Prof. Cassola is chairman of Alternattiva Demokratika.