Kurt Sansone
Minister lambasts UNHCR
'Meeting postponed repeatedly'
Accusing the UNHCR of wanting to play "Russian roulette" with migrants' lives, the Home Affairs Minister has insisted that creating an effective office in Libya where asylum seekers could apply for protection was a sensible solution.
Carm Mifsud Bonnici also lambasted those who have criticised Libya for not doing enough on the issue of illegal immigration, including people from his own party.
He hit out at the UN agency for attacking Italy's policy to turn migrants back to Libya yet failing to suggest an alternative.
"I cannot understand their criticism because it seems as if they want to play Russian roulette with people's lives.
"It makes no sense encouraging migrants to cross the sea and risk their lives when a proper functioning asylum office in Libya could cut out the criminal ring that makes a profit from this situation," he said.
The minister said the Maltese proposal for an asylum office in Libya was winning approval at EU level.
"The feedback we are getting is positive," Dr Mifsud Bonnici said, although he did not disclose the quarters from which the government had received support.
Italian Home Affairs Minister Roberto Maroni was the first, on Wednesday, to publicly endorse the suggestion. Implementing the proposal would require the collaboration of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the Libyan authorities and the EU.
According to Dr Mifsud Bonnici, it can work because the UNHCR already has representation in Libya and its office has processed a number of applications for asylum.
"If the UNHCR wants to take things seriously, we are ready to help bolster its operation in Libya," he said.
Dr Mifsud Bonnici insisted that the aim behind the proposal was to stem criminality and racism.
"It would be a mistake to believe that the far-right has the solution to the problem of migration. We respect people's dignity when we introduce logic into the debate," he said.
Dr Mifsud Bonnici criticised the UNHCR for its apparent lack of interest in discussing the issue of migration, adding that he had been asking for an appointment with UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres since September.
"I should have been in a meeting with him on Wednesday but it was postponed for the umpteenth time," he lamented.
The minister also accused the UNHCR of dragging its feet in the processing of refugee applications in Malta, which hampered the uptake of refugees by the United States.
"The US informed us that they could take up to 30 refugees a month but apart from the interviews by the American authorities, they would also have to be interviewed by the UNHCR. Unfortunately, the process is being held up by the UNHCR. Malta's case does not seem to be a priority for them."
Another problem the government has had to face is that other European countries were not allowed by the UNHCR to take in refugees from Malta as part of their allocated annual quota. Each country has an agreement with the UNHCR on the number of refugees it will take in. Any refugees from Malta would have to be over and above the individual countries' quota.
Turning to the criticism often levelled at Libya, Dr Mifsud Bonnici said that people who speak in this way "do know what they are saying".
On Thursday PN MEP candidate Frank Portelli, in a letter to The Times, went as far as calling for sanctions on Libya.
"I want Libya on board with me. This is why we are pushing for the EU to negotiate a proper deal with Libya. Malta is doing its part to achieve this," Dr Mifsud Bonnici said.
Attempts to obtain comments from the UNHCR in Rome proved futile despite repeated attempts.
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lgalea
May 17th 2009, 13:24
The vast majority used to pity them, but seeing the invasion of our country and that there seems to be no end to it bcause of the incompetent Gonzi and CMB, they no longer care a hoot about these boatloads of ILLEGAL immigrants and want them out of Malta at all costs.
Do you expect us to continue saving and welcoming them and keeping them here even if all Africa ends up in Malta?
Franco Farrugia
May 17th 2009, 10:08
@ M Ciavola: - Sir, there are times, and these are thankfully few and rare, when, yes, those who represent the people may know best and that they are in duty bound to go against the wishes of the people they represent. Of course, I am talking here academically, and in no way am I referring to THIS episode. For, if the will of the greater majority of the people .. imagine, a situation whereby the people you represent don't care tuppence as to what happens to a boatload of people who would certainly drown if you don't rescue them ... the people tell you to just let them pass and ignore them ... but is that the voice of reason? Do you, as their rep, resign over that issue so that you make way for some immoral or amoral person to take over and do what you feel in your conscience that shouldn't be done? Or do you stick in there, do what you feel in your conscience is right (ah, but you need to have a formed conscience - so rare, these days!) and in the meantime try to make your people see sense? A very delicate situation.
Emanuel Cilia Debono
May 17th 2009, 09:25
The Home affairs Minister is right. He hit the nail on the head when he described the UNHCR as playing 'Russian roulette' with the lives of poor migrants. The setting up of a checkpoint in Libya is sensible , humane and realistic . I dare say that the attitude of UNHCR vis a vis Malta ( and of those NGOs who prompt the Agency's views or who blindly follow its lead) verges on the hypocritical.
malcolm seychell
May 16th 2009, 23:23
Of course the Far right has no solution
Dr Mifsud Bonnici has the solution(sic)!!!
Mifsud Bonnici is the same person who believed in Frontex, Burden Sharing, and was a puppet for months to the UNHCR and co.
Dr Mifsud Bonnici. The less you speak the better for our country and especially your party.
DR Bonnici wants Libya to be with him. Well he can have them but he won't have the Maltese public with him on this issue. Shame on you.
Stephen Farrugia
May 16th 2009, 23:07
@ M.Ciavola
Molto Bravo....exactly. Just perfect, I could not have said it any better.
m.ciavola
May 16th 2009, 19:53
Whenever there is an article on Illegal Imigrants, it is always followed by never ending comments following the article. Same comments are repeated in different wording, but the meaning is clear. THIS IS THE VOICE OF 90% OF THE PEOPLE. If our political leaders keep ignoring what the people want, what is the use of voting politicians in power if they do not listen. What a shame !!!!!
A Camilleri
May 16th 2009, 19:03
If the UNHCR wants to take things seriously, we are ready to help bolster its operation in Libya," he said.
Of course UNHCR needs immigrants, to justify its existance. How many people earn a good living from UNHCR including Malta?
Sandro Pace
May 16th 2009, 18:56
Ten points to the minister for criticising UNHCR. The UNHCR is only after 'refugee' interest, and is unconcerned about anything else, including a country's stability. It will only help the Maltese when they become themselves refugees. Of course, Italy recognised this and it is taking actions. Maroni should not cede an inch to the UN. I envy the Italians for having such worthy politicians to vote for. These escapees are not from a one-off war, they continue coming, and it is unsustainable. If the rest of the world cannot understand it, it is its problem.
Up till some time ago, Minister Tonio Borg used to term Lega Nord as far right. A solution is found upon its initiative. But Miniser Carm says that the solution is not the far right. A government of confusion and contradictions.
There is only one insurance for this not to remain just a pre-electoral momentum. Vote small parties with anti-illegal immigration agenda. There is no clearer message from society to the government. The Italian solution didnt came out of nothing.
The government must be urged to take Action, not just hoping, recognition and all useless talk.
John Azzopardi
May 16th 2009, 17:52
. Minister Mifsud Bonnici is not working in our interest. He should be removed.
2. The PM is not wide awake yet. He is starting to come around because the people are up in arms.
3. the UNHCR does not have a mandate from the massive maltese majority who are fed up with this illegal immigration issue. We had enough of their whining. If they don't like it, they should go to Libya or even the poverish countries of Africa and assist the massive people who live in massive poverty but are trying to better their lives. They should be critizing Somalia, Sudan governments for their abusive human rights policies so that people can better their lives and not want to bring the whole of Africa to tiny Malta.
Alfred Bugeja
May 16th 2009, 16:52
Criticising Libya on this matter will not bring any benefits to Malta, simply because the only way we can start solving the illegal immigration problem is through the Libyans' cooperation. You cannot coerce a country such as Libya into cooperating. That would be useless trying.
You can only get them on your side by showing them money - like the Italians did to the tune of €5 billion - or by persuading them. Malta's only option is persuasion and you cannot use that while throwing empty threats like Frank Portelli is doing.
Michelle Dali
May 16th 2009, 16:29
The UNHCR always criticise any attempts to discourage this so-called phenomena and do not offer any alternatives.
If they truly had the interests of the immigrants at heart, they would be thrilled with the idea of setting up offices in Libya where they could apply for asylum. Wouldn't it be better for them not to have to pay their life's savings to criminals to embark on a risky, illegal sea voyage and very often end up dead at the bottom of the sea?
STEPHEN FARRUGIA
May 16th 2009, 16:27
So the UNHCR never told the immigrants that drowned, that they had an office in Libya, where they could apply.They never told us, in the past five years. Maybe they wanted the immigrants in Malta or was it something else?
Do the people that write here, agree with me?
Raymond Sammut
May 16th 2009, 16:06
In spite of all the rhetoric, Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici still fails to state categorically that Malta will follow Italy's example and return sub-Saharan African illegal arrivals to Libya. That's the bottom line of this whole lambasting charade with the June elections on top of his mind. Let Mr Antonio Guterres continue to play Russian roulette with African Illegal migrants. That is the business of UNHCR. The real question here is, is it not the Maltese minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici himself who continues to play this Russian roulette while he still continues with the same old policies on illegal immigrants arriving at Malta's shores from Libya? Why is he accusing Mr Guterres when he himself continues to be as guilty as sin.
nl attard
May 16th 2009, 14:57
Yes Dr. Carmelo, why should we criticise Libya. Pity you do not know Gaddafi well enough. On the other hand, you might be playing a sinister game. You had better pull your socks up.
Joseph Cauchi
May 16th 2009, 14:25
@ Law. Attard,
I support you.
../..
A Vella
May 16th 2009, 14:25
well, the Minister has finally woken up. now i ask him, who was voted to lead the country? the PN or UNHCR? Why are UNHCR given so much liberty on these matters? The maltese voted for the PN to be in government and that means also putting its foot down as regards UNHCR and this includes showing them who is leading, or at least, should be. It is easy for UNHCR representative in malta to say that there is no crisis and speaking on the beauty of cultural diversity- but the maltese are seeing the opposite and we expect UNHCR to keep its place and for the government to start repatriations full swing. If for arguments sake, UNHCR had to form a party and go out for elections, they would get a clear message on the total lack of support the Maltese people have for them.
Jimmy Magro
May 16th 2009, 12:40
I fully agree with the sentiments and arguments expressed against the use of FRONTEX. Fromtex is just a magnet to bring illegal immigrants to our nationa state. Malta must use its won resources on the principle that persons boarding illegally on any vessel will not be given any assistance as it was their own decision to take the risk.
Frontex must have clear rules of engagement and these must be known by all. Make your strategy known. The strategy being that all illegal immigrants will be returned to their port of destination.
Unless concrete and strong action is taken the EU will never be able to stop this inflow of illegal immigrants.
Coupled with this strategy, the EU should work with stable and democratic states to create job opportunities, have better education health and welfare services. Adrica has had successful stories but in recent years many states have lost their reason d'etre due to the war machine supported by big arms dealers, corrupt politicians, and big economic interests.
Africa can work. But the West, China and Russia must change their policies. Europe cannot exploit the african people by encouraging them to flee their country to be used as slaves.
Stephen Cassar
May 16th 2009, 12:30
CAN THE UNHCR STATE WHAT CONCRETE TANGIBLE AND EFFECTIVE HELP THEY HAVE DELIVERED TO ITALY AND MALTA, before they started accusing Italy and Malta of this and that?
I am a Maltese-born-and-bred citizen and over the last 5 years, our country has become a hell hole due to the massive free-for-all invasion of ILLEGAL ECONOMIC clandestine immigrants.
I am sick, tired, and get nausea everytime the UN, the EU, the Council of Europe, churches, the UNHCR, Medecins Sans Frontiers and the like accuse us - the legitimate people of the Mediterranean - of this and that when they offer little or no tangible concrete effective help whatsoever.
IF NO OTHER COUNTRY OR INSTITUTION WANTS TO TAKE THESE illegal economic clandestine IMMIGRANTS, OR HELP US HELP THEM IN CONCRETE TANGIBLE AND EFFECTIVE WAYS, WHY SHOULD WE GO INTO EVEN GREATER PAINS THAN THE excruciating PAINS AND abuse WE HAVE BEEN ENDURING FOR YEARS?
UNHCR, where are you now?
Chris Mifsud
May 16th 2009, 12:17
The ONLY way that we are going to get anywhere is by forcing the ILLEGAL immigrants to turn back towards the North of Africa .
Do it to them a few times and they will eventually get the message .
If they want refuge (from what, i have no idea as Libya is safe) , then they can apply for it through proper channels in Libya and not by illegally destroying their passports and all their documents and illegally crossing the Mediterranean bringing along with them diseases of the type that have been eradicated in Malta and Europe for decades .
CMB's first priority must be Malta and the Maltese , not the UNHCR / NGO's and their friends .
The government has finally starting moving in the right direction , but it is too little too late .
The opposition has been completely useless too .
I know who i am trusting my vote with in the upcoming EP elections .
ms g hoare
May 16th 2009, 11:59
MOST OF THE MALTESE HAVE BEEN WRITING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER ABOUT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS AND IT SEEMED TO GO INTO DEAF EARS ,THEY CAN CALL US RACISTS AS MUCH AS THEY LIKE DEEP DOWN WE KNOW WHAT WE ARE ..SUPPORTING YOUR COUNTRY IS A RIGHT NOT A POLITICAL ISSUE. NON OF US MALTESE SHOULD TAKE ANY NOTICE OF WHAT UNHCR , FONTEX, and any other
orgonisation SAYS , GOD BLESS MALTA and IT'S PEOPLE
C. Scerri
May 16th 2009, 11:55
@ T. Mifsud
If you will not vote does not make one iota of difference to the illegal immigration - it might in fact have the opposite result that you wish as others would have voted for you. Not voting is not an option - you should vote for that party that you are more attuned to. And again deciding on whom to vote on a single issue out of the many, is short sighted to say the least.
louise vella
May 16th 2009, 11:38
What the Maltese electorate expects is a clear and unambiguous statement from Dr Gonzi that he is determined to defend Malta's national interests above all other considerations, that he will not allow Malta to be invaded by illegal immigrants, and that he will not allow himself to be dictated to by JRS.
T Mifsud
May 16th 2009, 11:09
I do not feel the urge to vote this time because one party is a political opprtunist, unclear weathervaning policies and without direction, while the other has very clear and solid policies in the wrong direction. While I am Catholic, I cannot understand Dr Gonzi's siding with the Church's immigration policy. Here the Government should have made it 101% clear that it does not agree with the Jesuits (at the cost of our society) and instead opt for a hard line stance (whilst respecting human lives) of returning all the migrants to Libya. This happened too late. Look what happened now: I cannot also understand (because this is directly linked never mind what politicians say) why we are protecting and encouraging the Muslim community to flow out in the streets, protecting them with plain clothes policemen against Maltese! Would you believe that?!
In my humble opinion the goernment is fast approaching a fatal irreversable Political Correctness Sprial where there is a no point-of-return from it. That is why I cannot confidently and comfortably vote this time.
Kenneth Galea
May 16th 2009, 11:07
Carm the Maltese people are simply fed up of you and your party on the issue of illegal immigration. Your party failed miserably on the issue, now you are changing your tone because the June European elections are fast approaching. The damage has been done, your party did not listen to the concerns of the Maltese people. The UNHCR embraces illegal immigration and your party chose to work hand in hand with the UNHCR. Whatever the do-gooders say the majority of the Maltese people who elected the PN in the first place want the repatriation of these illegals to Libya. The majority of these illegals are economic migrants and NOT genuine asylum seekers.
Joanne Micallef
May 16th 2009, 11:04
@ Mario Attard - How right you are, let us also not forget Mr Paul Salamone, an honest man who as a concerned citizen decided not to remain passive in front of our Government’s indifference. He was charged and taken to court on inciting racial hatred when he addressed these very same issues in an ANR meeting.
albet leone ganado
May 16th 2009, 11:02
I fully agree that we should not lambast Libya in any way for the current situation.
Libya has to deal with millions of illegals on its territory. Europe must also work harder to obtain the sympathy of the Libyan people given the past wrongdoings of European powers in Libyan territory.
The solution is for the EU to give sufficent funds to Libya to establish better equipped holding and repatriation centres on its territory.
Libya has an important standing with its African neighbours. We should try to use its good offices to set up temporary fully equipped settlement camps on African soil for those African illegals who cannot immediately be repatriated because of any present collapse of a functioning non oppressive government in their country of origin.
Charles Sammut
May 16th 2009, 10:59
How does the Minister reconcile the fact that he is all for Frontex to operate from Malta when all that Frontex will achieve is to bring all the illegal immigrants it finds into Malta because Italy will definitely not accept them. Frontex will not be turning boats back but will bring them to Europe, mostly Malta.
Sorry, Dr CMB, I cannot take you seriously, you cannot please god and the devil at the same time.
albet leone ganado
May 16th 2009, 10:59
I fully agree that we should not lambast Libya in any way for the current situation.
Libya has to deal with millions of illegals on its territory. Europe must also work harder to obtain the sympathy of the Libyan people given the past wrongdoings of European powers in Libyan territory.
The solution is for the EU to give sufficent funds to Libya to establish better equipped holding and repatriation centres on its territory.
Libya has an important standing with its African neighbours. We should try to use its good offices to set up in Libya temporary fully equipped settlement camps for those African illegals who cannot immediately be repatriated because of any present collapse of a functioning non oppressive government in their country of origin.
d. borg
May 16th 2009, 10:58
We have been saying time and time again that the NGOs work against the interests of the Maltese people. They always side with the immigrants, critise but never offer solutions. Now we are tired of empty rhetoric. We want action. We want to stop this influx and repatriate those that are already here. Then maybe we start believing the present govt. This is not a matter of values or religion or charity, the security and well being of our country is at stake.
Charles Zammit
May 16th 2009, 10:37
The approach to the illegal immigration issue as outlined by Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici makes a lot of sense and merits our full support.
I wander what the real objectives of the people running the UNHCR are. Given the uncompromising attitude of this body we cannot but support and follow Italy's actions and send all illegal immigrants back irrespective. When the UNHCR decides to take pull up its socks assume its proper responsibilities and take proper action to safeguard the lives of the people it is expected to protect then we would reconside our position. It is important that the UNHCR leads by example not pontificate and shy away.
Mario Attard
May 16th 2009, 10:24
Not so long ago, many including myself, were labelled as racists and xenophobic when commenting on the negative effects of illegal migration to Malta.
Suddenly, most of our accusers have changed the tune. I wonder why??
Jimmy Magro
May 16th 2009, 10:19
Malta needs to defend its borders. UNCHR does not have a state and therefore cannot understand the perils of having an invasion of people without being invited. Every country has it sborders control and no other country has any special repratriation for any person landing without any permission.
All politicans will do well to think in the long term and take those necessary steps to stop the encouragement of illegal trafficking of human beings as this is the bisggest issue. There are many criminal rings that would like Malta to continue to act as an open house for immigrants and that is why there is the need to change strategy. Italy has taken a strong position and this shows that a country has the right to defend its borders with all possible means.
There must also be a fully fledged campaign to change the rules of engagement such as the Geneva Convention and the Dublin Convention.
Emanuel Muscat
May 16th 2009, 09:53
The UNCHR is a political animal as all united nations bodies are, which somehow never receive any reprimands from its parent body and tries to dictate what nations do about their problems without proposing any solutions: so best is to ignore it.
Robert Callus
May 16th 2009, 09:51
Dr Mifsud Bonnici's 'glorification' of Libya is highly inappropriate. Apart from the fact that this country has refused to collaborate for years, it has a dismal human rights record.
If migrants are to be assesed in Libya, it should be completely in the hands of the UN to take decisions not Libyan authorities, the same authorities who tortured 5 innocent Bulgarian nurses and a Palestinian doctor to cover their heinous shame.
@Louise Vella
Religion has nothing to do with this. You make it seem like EFA an Gonzi are threatened by JRS of discommunicating them if they do not agree. I'm an agnostic, and still condemn what the Italian authorities are doing
Law. Attard
May 16th 2009, 09:48
Maybe it would have been a lot better if we had joined the USA instead of the EU. The Americans have always extended a helping hand to us and relations between us have always been very warm...
Joanne Micallef
May 16th 2009, 09:23
The UNHCR office has been in Libya for years, why hasn't the Goverment ever raised this issue with Mr Neil Falzon before. Mind you better late than never, but when I know how long negotiations usually take, if our Goverment had raised this issue some 2 years ago, maybe by now we would have this system up and running not to mention the lives that would have been saved.
Knowing that our country’s livelihood depends on it, I sincerely hope that Minister Mifsud Bonnici will succeed in his mission. The UNHCR have to understand that everyone has rights, including the Maltese public, and when I say this, I say it thinking of what prospects our children and their children will have here, if we keep accepting THOUSANDS of illegal immigrants yearly only to repatriate/resettle/ or loose trace of a few hundred a year.
louise vella
May 16th 2009, 09:17
Dr Mifsud Bonnici has to keep some facts in mind:
1. an online poll on maltarightnow shows about 90% agree with Italy's policy of sending illegal immigrants back to Libya
2. Dr Fenech Adami, following the Jesuits, does not agree with Italy's policy
3. Dr Gonzi has often been on record as following Jesuit thinking on illegal immigrants
4. in view of the coming MEP election, many are bound to be wary of Dr Mifsud Bonnici's tough talk and may suspect he is just playing to the gallery.
Can we have Dr Gonzi's commitment and guarantee that after 6 June the government will continue supporting the policy of sending illegal immigrants back to Libya and having refugee applications processed in Libya?
Charles Micallef
May 16th 2009, 09:10
There are those who like UNHCR and Medicine Sans Frontieres who do the talking, as it comes cheap, or those who the full facts of the problems that one come across on a daily basis and do something concrete about it, as does Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici.
The Nation is four square behind your actions Minister.
lgalea
May 16th 2009, 08:37
Tell the UNHCR to stop interfering in the internal affairs of countries. If they want to help the ILLEGAL immigrants they should help them sort out the problems in their own countries not encouraging them to escape and impose themselves on other countries.
Joe Grima (Brussels)
May 16th 2009, 08:36
Keep the pressure up, dear minister, and find support amongst European friends. Most of Malta is behind you on this issue.
One would think that the UNHCR and other NGOs are more intent on aiding the traffickers, rather than the trafficked!! If there are adequate means in Libya to process GENUINE refugees, why put them at risk in a sea crossing? All Frontex has to do is patrol just outside Libyan waters (which, I admit, is a large stretch of seas), and all those intercepted taken back to the NEAREST processing centre. If this tactic is implemented, little by little the migrants will understand that it is useless to try to cross. There will be LESS loss of life, less hardship, and the GENUINE refugees can be taken to their desired new home IN A HUMANE, COMFORTABLE AND SAFE WAY. Or do UNHCR & co not consider THIS important?
Taking ALL those who put to sea to Europe is simply encouraging the criminals cash millions. It seams that common sense isn't that common after all!!!
Stephen Farrugia
May 16th 2009, 08:28
"It would be a mistake to believe that the far-right has the solution to the problem of migration. We respect people's dignity when we introduce logic into the debate," he said.
The logic came from the Right. This far-left government was saying the total opposite and the media did not say a word of truth about what the Right was on about. Lets get our facts right, here.
Mr Lowell had said the truth about the UNHCR but it takes a few years for our government to wake up to facts and truths. Well, after the election, we all know, that we will be back to square one. A total far-left agenda.
louise vella
May 16th 2009, 08:10
“He hit out at the UN agency for attacking Italy's policy to turn migrants back to Libya yet failing to suggest an alternative.”
It has emerged very clearly in the last 5 years that UNHCR (R for Refugees) wants to multiply the numbers of immigrants from Africa to Europe, whether legal or illegal, under the cover of refugees.
"If the UNHCR wants to take things seriously, we are ready to help bolster its operation in Libya," he said.
UNHCR’s office in Libya could be bolstered by the services of experienced persons like their man in Malta Neil Falzon.
“Attempts to obtain comments from the UNHCR in Rome proved futile despite repeated attempts.”
This is most surprising because UNHCR is usually very enthusiastic to speak to the press, including such people as Laura Boldrini and Neil Falzon.