Government complains to Tunisia over intensive searches of travellers
Malta has brought to Tunisia's attention the intensive searches being carried out on Maltese nationals departing from the North-African country, Foreign Minister Tonio Borg has said.
Dr Borg was replying to a caller on a Radio 101 programme who complained that Maltese travellers were being harassed and treated like second-class citizens at the airport when they were about to leave Tunisia for Malta.
The Foreign Minister explain-ed there had been an alert over possible drug trafficking to the island.
But while one appreciated certain security precautions of a temporary nature, the Maltese authorities had raised the issue with their Tunisian counterparts.
The subject would be raised again if the practice did not stop. He added that this was not merely an inconvenience to the Maltese but also bad publicity for Tunisia, if the country wanted to continue to attract Maltese tourists.
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Jamel Zouari
Oct 23rd 2009, 11:44
These security measures are imposed to all passengers regardless of their nationalities including tunisians ,and not only to maltese travellers.This is for the safety of everybody.
Christian Sciberras
Oct 21st 2009, 16:32
Oh I'm sure the world's conspiring against the Maltese.
(like it would require anything more then a single ICBM to shave off Malta)
Arthur Peffers
Oct 21st 2009, 13:02
It is standard procedure at all European Airports to remove footwear at security.
Not just aimed at Maltese individuals.
wilfred sultana
Oct 21st 2009, 12:38
Sir,
I too recall some eighteen months ago we Maltese were ‘treated badly’ on leaving London Gatwick Airport where we were made to stand barefooted while our shoes were checked. Well, at this time and age when terrorism has no limits being ‘treated badly’ on departure at airports should in a way be regarded as a vigilant security measure.
Malcolm Farrugia
Oct 21st 2009, 11:18
@ John Mizzi,
Your brussels airport experience clearly indicates that maltese are regarded as second class European citizens.
Eleonora Bonnici
Oct 21st 2009, 11:15
My spouse and me can vouch to this harrasment because we went through the ordeal lately. Apart from checking even the smallest pockets of our wallets and ripping apartt every bag we had the arrogant police officer just left everything laying there and shouted at us to hurry up and pack everything aain. A 10 dinar note also dissapeared mysteriously in the havoc. Anyway they can do what they like because we won't be going back to that forsaken land of rip-offs, bad food and dirt.
John Mizzi
Oct 21st 2009, 10:32
Sir,
The Maltese were also treated badly when I was leaving Brussels airport to Malta. We were made to walk barefooted. After I complained to the Belgian authorities I was informed that plastic bags were avaiable but this was never mentioned to me when I protested to the security officers. A country such as Belgium should behave properly they are after all in Europe.
Regards,
Mr. John Mizzi