Two migrants on the loose

Joe Cassar

Apr 23rd 2009, 20:38

@Mr Charles Sammut

You accusations are arbitrary, unfounded and baseless. Pure speculation, in fact.

But, EVEN IF THEY WERE ALL TRUE, they are still a small price to pay for a free press that is an essential ingredient of a free and democratic society.

If you want to live in a country where the press publish only what is convenient or what the security forces want them to, I suggest you go and live somwhere like North Korea.

ANTHEA PRESTON

Apr 23rd 2009, 19:16

I commented earlier, but my comment was declined as it is not here. It was along the lines of Igalea - what are Nigerians even doing in Malta? They have no cause/reason to be seeking asylum/status anywhere! And yes, Nigerians lead the way I'm afraid when it comes to deception, fraud and thieving. That is not racist but irrefutable fact! Photographs and fingerprints should be taken of all who land illegally on your shores - I can't believe how lax your national security is - its nearly as bad as ours!

Charles Sammut

Apr 23rd 2009, 18:17

@ Joe Cassar

The presence of journalists in the vicinity of detention centres invariably results in agitation. The agents provocateurs get their photos and the DS staff are left to pick up the pieces.

It is an activity which can be reasonably be expected to precipitate commotion and unruly behaviour. It is an activity which has previously incited riots.

In this case it was not "a journalist who reports facts faithfully and accurately, however uncomfortable and unpleasant they may be." but a photographer very obviously out to shoot sensational photos with which the detainees usually oblige.

Joe Cassar

Apr 23rd 2009, 17:24

@ Mr Charles Sammut

You cannot compare someone who makes hate-speeches with a journalist who reports facts faithfully and accurately, however uncomfortable and unpleasant they may be.

Such people have to be free from harassment in order to do their job properly – for all our sakes.

Michelle Dali

Apr 23rd 2009, 16:56

If the soldiers at the detention centre knew that the presence of journalists could stir up trouble, they had every right not to allow them to take pictures. They are the ones have to deal with the riots and someone could have got hurt, as has happened before.

This is normal procedure all over the world. I lived in Northern Ireland at the height of the troubles, and was often prevented from taking photos by British soldiers for security reasons. This was understandable due to the volatile situation at the time.

The AFM soldiers at the detention centres have a very difficult job as it is. They are right to do all they can to prevent trouble.

Charles Sammut

Apr 23rd 2009, 16:22

@ Joe Cassar

Freedom of the press like everything else is not absolute.

The same with freedom of expression. If in expressing yourself you are likely to incite unruly behaviour, like racial hatred, for example, then you have to restrain yourself.

Now all journalists and press photographers know that as soon as the detainees at these centres see a camera they start demonstrating. It's like the proverbial rad rag to a bull.

So now, those journalists who welcomed court sentences penalising freedom of expression, will just have to grin and bear it. It applies to them as well.

Brian Maloret

Apr 23rd 2009, 15:45

Nigeria is an oil rich country where there are no wars going on. Any Nigerian who flees Nigeria and arrives in any EU state is not by definition a genuine asylum seeker but purely an economic migrant and thus an illegal immigrant. Given these facts, why do the Authorities allow these people to remain for their application to be processed rather than sending them back to Nigeria immediately.

James A. Tyrrell

Apr 23rd 2009, 15:20

By its very description a 'detention camp' is supposed to detain people. As someone has already pointed out a chicken wire fence can't even detain chickens. Why not install a more substantial fence and pump enough electricity through it to keep them from climbing over it?

Joe Cassar

Apr 23rd 2009, 15:15

@ Mr Etienne Bonanno

Who decides if a journaliost has been "responsible" or not? Me? You?

What happens when you think they have been and I think they haven't - or vice versa?

Journalists have to be free to practise their profession - even when we don't like it. It is te cornerstone of a democratic society.

Joseph Sammut

Apr 23rd 2009, 14:54

Why are they still in malta if status was refused,are they still getting hand outs

mario gellel

Apr 23rd 2009, 14:10

A Maltese brother was send to prison just for a kebbab due to breaking the court ruling.
These illegal emigrants broke the Maltese rules from day one, and if they get caught(?),they will be send back to an open summer holiday camp.
And they say they are misthreated

John Pisani

Apr 23rd 2009, 13:52

@ Charles Sammut
The problem is not the journalists. The were doing their duty because the public have the right to know especially when soldiers and DS personnel are on a manhunt. The problem is that FEW soldiers and DS members, and I mean FEW, become Rambos when the put on the uniform. This time their target was maltastar.com journalists. Maybe, and I repeat maybe, these soldiers and DS members, who are employed as casual workers, were or are not trained to deal with the press.
I just want to express my solidarity my collegues at maltastar

Paul Barrett

Apr 23rd 2009, 13:27

Presumably they "escaped" whilst awaiting deportation - they would have little reason to escape if they had a chance of gaining recognition as refugees.

If all those in the detention centre were only issued with a bright coloured uniform (or black and white striped boiler suit) and no other external clothing was available to them, they might be slightly easier to spot when they "walk out" from detention.

As for issuing a description: Black hair, brown eyes and with a good sun tan would be a fair guess.

C. Bartolo

Apr 23rd 2009, 12:59

Do they really take photos of these illegal immigrants? I seriously doubt it... And what about their description? It might go something like this: about 5' 9" tall, black, wearing good clothes and possibly with a new latest technology mobile phone... Might as well detain half of Albert Town and they would all fit that description!!

Any ID documents? Definitely none.

Except for those who have a refugee status; who are then issued with a temporary ID card. However, such ID cards are conveniently 'lost' and passed onto friends who do not have a refugee status yet. The original ID card holder goes to the authorities and informs them that he has lost it, and another one is issued. Therefore, suddenly we have 2 immigrants who have their refugee status temporary ID card...

Is this a well-managed system where this immigration problem is taken seriously? Do you think that this system; where the illegal immigrants escape and run rampant, and the journalists are detained, is one which addresses the problem in order to control it? This shows a lack of commitment from the government to address this ever-growing problem.

Act now or else all will be lost!!

Etienne Bonanno

Apr 23rd 2009, 12:56

@Joe Cassar
To paraphrase a famous comic book hero "With great freedom comes great responsibility". Freedom the press may have, but responsibility, very often, not.

john falzon

Apr 23rd 2009, 12:55

Can't the authorities simply implant chips under the skin as I understand is done with dogs ?

Then controlling whereabouts would be far simpler ! It can't cost too much to do and is certainly cheaper than the cost of a full-blown manhunt.

Joe Cassar

Apr 23rd 2009, 12:40

Mr Charles Sammut obviously does not believe in the freedom of the press - one of the most important rights in a democratic society.

When you believe in a principle, you have to believe in it all the time - not just when it suits you.

Michael Neville Cassar

Apr 23rd 2009, 12:36

Stop playing mouse and cat game send off to their country.

Anthony Pace Gouder

Apr 23rd 2009, 12:20

Just tell us how anyone can identify these two escapees! The Authorities COULD AT LEAST provide PHOTOS and/or a detailed description of these persons.

Charles Sammut

Apr 23rd 2009, 12:04

I can understand the reaction by the Detention Service staff.

It is a known fact that journalists and press photographers have in the past unwittingly or otherwise instigated demonstrations by detainees. Some of these protests turned violent and it is the DS personnel who have to face the music.

d schembri

Apr 23rd 2009, 11:58

If they were refused refugee Status why are they still in malta? Can't you deport them?

Maruska Agius

Apr 23rd 2009, 11:55

Good one! The refugees managed to escape while a journalist doing his job was detained!!

lgalea

Apr 23rd 2009, 11:53

Is it a detention or an open centre?
Chicken wire fencing cannot even hold in chickens, let alone determined illegal immigrants.
It seems that lately Nigerians have been at the forefront of everything illegal, from being illegal immigrants to trafficking drugs.
Why are Nigerians who have no right to even claim asylum or humanitarian status not kept in prison which is more secure until they are repatriated?