Kurt Sansone
Migrants protest over new open centre rules
'Not everybody can live at Marsa open centre'
Marsa open centre general manager Oliver Gatt talking to migrants, yesterday. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi.
A group of about 100 migrants at the Marsa open centre protested vociferously yesterday against stricter access controls the authorities wanted to introduce, directing their criticism at one of the centre's coordinators.
The peaceful but noisy protest started at about 1 p.m. when a minor argument between two migrants erupted into a spontaneous protest against the Ghanaian-Maltese pastor Ahmed Bugri, who is the coordinator of the open centre. The protest lasted for about three hours and the police were called in to provide additional security. There were no scuffles and no arrests were made.
A number of migrants asked for Mr Bugri's removal accusing him of running the centre in a dictatorial manner.
Mr Bugri later denied all accusations levelled at him.
"We need change, Ahmed out," the migrants shouted outside the office where Mr Bugri was holed in with police officers, who were investigating what happened.
The migrants insisted that the control measures went against the concept of an open centre. A Somali interpreter who spoke to The Times said migrants were partially correct in what they were saying but they could not understand that Mr Bugri was employed by the government and could not just be removed.
At about 4 p.m., Mr Bugri emerged from his office accompanied by the police, boarded his car and drove off safely as the crowd clapped and cheered.
At one point, the Marsa open centre's general manager, Oliver Gatt sat down with the protesting migrants and assured them that any allegation or accusation of wrongdoing would be investigated.
"A man is innocent until proven guilty and we will look into the claims," he said.
Contacted after the incident, Mr Bugri said he left because his day's work was over and that he would be returning to work at the centre this morning.
Denying the accusations lev-elled against him, Mr Bugri insisted that the Marsa open centre had become a "free for all" and he wanted to introduce order and discipline.
"I had to establish who was a resident there and who wasn't. I also had to regularise the businesses that were being set up," he said.
Most of those protesting were not even residents of the open centre, he claimed.
Mr Bugri explained that the management planned to build a gate in order to control access to the centre because many migrants, who lived in other centres or on their own ended up at Marsa.
Marsa is a centrally-located centre and conditions there are relatively better than in other open centres.
"The centre was being managed by them not by us. This was not right and the gate issue was the straw that broke the camel's back," Mr Bugri said.
"I know that many migrants housed in the Ħal Far tent city have come to take up residence in Marsa because of the heat. I understand them but I do not have a say on who stays at which centre and it would be unfair on the residents at the Marsa open centre to allow the place to be used by others as well," Mr Bugri said.
He insisted that the problem started simmering around three weeks ago because the majority of new migrants sent to Marsa after being released from detention were from west Africa.
"I come from Ghana and the Somalis started spreading the rumour that I only wanted people from west Africa at Marsa. This is not true because I don't determine who comes here," Mr Bugri said.
He denied accusations made by various migrants that he was charging migrants money for the use of their bed at Marsa.
"This is not true. I have absolutely nothing to do with the management of beds or who sleeps where," Mr Bugri replied.
He also denied the existence of a curfew, insisting that migrants could enter and leave the centre at will as long as they were resident there.
"I will go to work as usual tomorrow (today) because I am not scared. They would not attack me. They are frustrated with the system and I am getting the flak because they see me as representing government policy on migration.
"They have a grievance, I understand them but it is not something I can do anything about," Mr Bugri said, insisting migrants also had a right to air their concerns.
The director of the Organ-isation for Integration and Welfare of Aslyum Seekers, Alex Tortell insisted that although Marsa was an open centre, it was open to residents, the staff and visitors in possession of the relevant permits.
"The gate was meant to serve as additional security for the residents themselves.
"The centre is a home to hundreds of migrants and every home deserves to have a front gate," Mr Tortell said.
He insisted there was no intention of introducing a curfew.
When confronted with the claims that migrants from Ħal Far tent city were making their way to Marsa because of the unbearable heat, Mr Tortell insisted that his organisation had already replaced a number of tents with four mobile homes. "We are aware of the problem and we will continue replacing the tents when we get more mobile homes. However, it must be noted that not everybody can live at Marsa open centre," he said.
The Marsa open centre is run by Fondazzjoni Suret il-Bniedem on behalf of the Organisation for Integration and Welfare of Aslyum Seekers.
Mr Tortell said he would be having talks with the centre's management when things calmed down in order to determine what the grievances were and whether they were legitimate.
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GF Cortini
Jul 29th 2009, 09:45
I'm always shocked by the amount of bile spouted by certain people every time there's an article about illegal immigrants. I'm not debating the actual opinions here - just the venemous way some people spit out their accusations at one another and at the illegal immigrants themselves. Come on guys, anyone can express their opinion on something negative in a constructive way - it just takes class and respect for others, that's all :)
I agree with several of the comments (not all) - but I believe we're missing the wood for the trees. Illegal immigrants are the most 'visible' aspect of the problem, but we should focus more on the root of the problem itself and attempt to find real solutions: we need the people who bring them here illegally caught and brought to justice (and also need the EU's assistance who, until now, seems unwilling to do something about this grave problem - other than lecture us occassionally). You put out a fire by attacking its base not its flames...
Charles Micallef
Jul 29th 2009, 09:12
It is very clear to all level headed people, that the management of this centre and not the residents should be in control of the rules of this facility as it also should be made very clear to all the residents that they are "Guests" at this residence and hence they have to obey the Rules of the House as happens in a civilised world.
We certainly do not want anarchy in our country as they have in theirs!
lgalea
Jul 29th 2009, 08:46
k. attard
They have committed a crime by entering illegally in OUR country without any identification papers. How can we ever be sure who they really are attard? They can be murderers, thiefs, rapists, terrorists, mercenaries, anything including liars. As for asylum they can claim it in one of the many countries they had passed through. First of all they do not have the right to claim asylum under the 1951 Refugee Convention and even if they had they lost all claim to asylum when they were in a safe country and they continued on their way.
lgalea
Jul 29th 2009, 08:45
Illegal immigrants understand this.
You are here ILLEGALLY.
You are UNWANTED and UNWELCOME by the vast majority of the Maltese citizens.
We do not want you here so go back to your countries.
In the meantime just shut up because we are fed up with you and your antics.
lgalea
Jul 29th 2009, 08:44
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=91714
“The migrants and Ahmed (Bughri) cannot understand each other. We cannot ensure this situation. Is it possible that 800 people are wrong, while Ahmed is right? If he doesn’t leave, they will kill him,” one migrant told Mr Gatt.
So now they are resorting to their violent and lawless nature and also want to commit MURDER in our country.
Get them OUT OF HERE GONZI.
NOW.
BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE.
Joe Galea
Jul 29th 2009, 08:11
Just send these trouble makers illegal invaders back from where they have come. We DON'T need them here.
john micallef
Jul 29th 2009, 07:56
this is all waste of time, myself i am wasting time, but cannot get along with making a comment. a couple of days ago, in the morning, the foreign minister sent a press release were from other things, he stated that these illegals / refugees were a security issue, later on in the afternoon, the 'security issue' was removed from the statement. obviously this cannot be done by someone like me, it needs to be a big head. with this myth of burden sharing, it's only, as i stated, A MYTH. compare the volumes that have been taken by eu nations with those taken by the us of a. i don't know why some things cannot be learnt, it is useless to think of integration, cause these illegals / refugees were brought up in war / killings / genocide.
godfrey pisani
Jul 29th 2009, 07:40
we gave them marsa ,now they want to run it what would you expect . it is not part of malta any more .....weldone ..now we have to give more space as they have different cultures so they need different areas . unbelievable.
Michael Grech
Jul 29th 2009, 06:51
Problems between people coming from East and West Africa need not entail racism (be based on the idea that 'they belong to a different race'). THe same Maltese who are accusing them of racism would claim that the Maltese's aversion to Africans is not racism; but cite some other bogus reason.
I agree that it is the people who are betraying Malta that is the biggest problem we have : particulalry those who are not concerened about the country's real problems (caused by fellow Maltese) and flout the pesudo-problem of immigration instead. Electricity-bills, failure to attract real investment, mismanagement, institutionalised corruption, cost of living, the continuous destruction of the environment and the sky-high cost of property are not caused by Africans. Shifting our anger to those who are worse off, diverts the people's attention from the fat cats who are causing the problems .
In adidition, respect for people's rights (including the right to seek refugee, and certain rights relating to human dignity regardless of one's legal status) is not a matter ofconsensus.
A.Zammit's comment 'they (are) well off that they can get drunk' takes the cake. Anyone living on this planet knows that alcoholism generally affects poor people worst.
Bill Millam
Jul 29th 2009, 03:47
They do say a picture speaks a thousand words, how true and in this case, how sad for Malta and the Maltese. Something just ain't right with that pic! I am broken hearted to see what Malta has become and worse still to comprehend what the future holds for the Maltese!
Bill Millam
Los Angeles
lgalea
Jul 28th 2009, 22:47
k. attard
They have committed a crime by entering illegally in OUR country without any identification papers. How can we ever be sure who they really are attard? They can be murderers, thiefs, rapists, terrorists, mercenaries, anything including liars. As for asylum they can claim it in one of the many countries they had passed through. First of all they do not have the right to claim asylum under the 1951 Refugee Convention and even if they had they lost all claim to asylum when they were in a safe country and they continued on their way.
T.gauci
Jul 28th 2009, 21:31
@k. attard
of course they did, everyone who enter without passport,visa etc..is a crime perhaps you should do some charitable work you know like invite one of these illegal immigrant to live in your house since you think they are asylum seekers. now do it and embrace your so called "human rights".
Mark Galea
Jul 28th 2009, 21:21
@IGalea
Where is the PL majority in the EU parliament ... if I remember correctly they told us that with an LP majority in the EU parliament, immigration will be solved ... (always if they press the right buttons ...)
A Zammit
Jul 28th 2009, 19:32
A couple of weeks ago the Times carried an article about the situation of the illegal immigrants as described by a number of NGOs. According to these NGOs, the illegal immigrants were so poor that they do not have enough money to buy food or nappies for the babies.
Now, we have this situation which started because one of them entered the open centre DRUNK. What are the facts? Poor people or are they well off that they can get drunk?
From the video none of them seems malnourished and all are wearing good clothing.
Seems that reality is not as the NGOs describe.
Robert Callus
Jul 28th 2009, 19:30
@Louise Vella
''This is an obvious case of racism''
Does this mean that you spent your last year or more in front of your PC commenting only on things related to migration and/or Africans and realised ONLY NOW that racism is not only something between skin color? The biggest racist of all (Hitler) was white and murdered millions of other whites. Genocide in Rwanda was from a black ethnic minority vs another.
You always state Libya is safe, yet you don't realise how many Arabs are racist against blacks? What about Romanians in Italy. They're white.
I'd have expected better from you.
N Borg
Jul 28th 2009, 17:54
Read this link
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/8172967.stm?ls
for some people, violence is ingrained
Charles Sammut
Jul 28th 2009, 17:48
There goes the dream of integrating these people with us and living happily ever after.
There goes the myth that Europe needs immigrants.
There goes our hope of having these people provide for our old age pensions.
Who are the racists and the liars now?
Kevin Attard
Jul 28th 2009, 17:00
committed a crime?? What are you referring to Edward???
Please if you wish to comment, be mature. It is a basic human right to seek asylum in another country. The only crime being committed is by our government, having innocent people detained for nothing for 18 months..
Edward Zammit
Jul 28th 2009, 16:22
The only solution for this problem is so obvious ! IMMEDIATE AND INDISCRIMINATE REPATRIATION / DEPORTATION !! These people committed a crime and after a puny detention are being rewarded with being given free lodging, food, water, and social security money from our taxes, too much is too much !!!
Mario Attard
Jul 28th 2009, 16:21
@ Michael Grech
Did you even bother to read the all the article before accusing others of racism? It was Mr. Bugri himself who said it was a problem between west and east Africans.....He insisted that the problem started simmering around three weeks ago because the majority of new migrants sent to Marsa after being released from detention were from west Africa.
"I come from Ghana and the Somalis started spreading the rumour that I only wanted people from west Africa at Marsa. This is not true because I don't determine who comes here," Mr Bugri said.
We who are truly concerned about illegal migration shall continue to sound our voices no matter what pro-immigrants say! I just hope that we too start doing protests! And the sooner the better!
Steven Camilleri
Jul 28th 2009, 16:20
Well micheal , you can always take them at home , im paying for them !
lgalea
Jul 28th 2009, 15:37
Michael Grech
It is the presence of people who betray their country and their countrymen to defend ILLEGAL immigrants that is the biggest problem facing Malta apart from the ILLEGAL immigrants themselves.
The VAST MAJORITY of MALTESE CITIZENS WANT THE EXPELLED NOT INTEGRATED.
Eric Gahn
Jul 28th 2009, 15:31
Evr known an african 'Leader' who is not a dictator? And why is somethign paid for with MY money being run as a foreign interest.
Michael Grech
Jul 28th 2009, 15:21
@ louise vella. If Africans protest against a Maltese officer, then they are 'ungrateful' and guilty a-priori (obviously our fellow countrypeople cannot be racists or guilty of mis-management). If immigrants protest against another African, then there is an 'obvious case of racism'.
Yes you're right, in Malta we do have problems of our own; the gravest amongst them being the presence of a good number of racists.
Louis Gialanze
Jul 28th 2009, 15:17
The Maltese people ought to come to their senses and for a change remove their red or blue blinkers and realize that these people are in effect welcomed to stay by both the PN and the PL. How else can the PNPL ensure a cheap supply of labour to their friends in business. We are now talking of integrating illegal immigrants into the community, rather than repatriation,by systematically dispersing these immigrants into government housing in preference to the local taxpayer. Wake up Malta - you've been had by your politicians and the church far too long!
SAzzopardi
Jul 28th 2009, 12:09
Would they come up with these problems if they still were in their country ?
You already are a burden so please respect the Maltese , if you dont like it you can always get a boat and go back from were you came from ........Most of us Maltese would be happy if you do so !
louise vella
Jul 28th 2009, 11:19
Hal Far tent city, Marsa open centre or whatever... the place for these illegal immigrants is in their own country. Unless some do-gooder NGOs volunteer to accomodate them in their premises.
louise vella
Jul 28th 2009, 10:41
This is an obvious case of racism. Mr Bugri comes from Ghana in West Africa and most of the illegal immigrants come from East Africa. They are thousands of miles apart and they don't get on. Why should we be lumped with these problems of Africans fighting among themselves?
louise vella
Jul 28th 2009, 10:11
Don't we Maltese have enough problems of our own? Do we need the illegal and unwanted immigrants to add to them?