Brussels proposes protection be granted within six months

c.caruana

Oct 23rd 2009, 08:29

It would be a great impact if MALTESE people and IMMIGRANTS protest together!! First of all most of the immigrants don't want to stay here but have no other choice and secondly, the EU is not helping both maltese and immigrants. We need to work together so everbody will gain something. I'll go for unity instead of us against them.

lgalea

Oct 22nd 2009, 20:47

S. Portelli
People invading another country are called invaders.
Notwithstanding that they were human beings, at other times they were dealt with in a very different manner than they are being treated today.

M. Baron

Oct 22nd 2009, 18:45

yeah so now we HAVE to process the illegal immigrants within 6months. well what are we waiting for? let's transfer clerical staff from Mater Dei and our schools to comply.
after all the Eu were exemplary in taking the bulk of the arrivals to follow these rules themselves.

C.ZARB

Oct 22nd 2009, 18:02

What is truly frustrating the immigrants is the fact that they are ending up being locked in a small overpopulated island with no future for them let alone resources to integrate them well. Yes immigration does have its advantages but only if its controlled and brought in small numbers which can be integrated. If its not, then it will lead to a disaster. No wonder why the Northern European countries are doing their best not to take this valid 'resource' out from our hands.

Its time for our government to truly show where its loyalty lies. If he abides to such rules without demanding compulsory burden sharing first then we can as well dismantle the parliament since we are lead by the EU and not by the local government. Considering the MP's salary increase then It would also serve as an effective cost cutting.

DVella

Oct 22nd 2009, 17:59

. . . THAT'S RIGHT Brussels . . . tighten the screws on us . . . shame you don't have what it takes to extend the same fortitude when it comes to solidarity and burden sharing by other member states ! ! !

Peter Mercieca

Oct 22nd 2009, 17:05

Shame that COMPULSORY BURDEN SHARING was NEVER granted to Malta, let alone within 6 months of Malta enterting the EU. Why should we now EVER grant protection to illegals who enter Malta, let alone within 6 months?

Charles Sammut

Oct 22nd 2009, 16:28

Hang your heads in shame all those who believed the PN propaganda and swallowed the EU bait. Watch Malta being destroyed while GonziPN plays the EU lyre.

louise vella

Oct 22nd 2009, 15:00

"However, anticipating opposition from over-burdened member states ..."

Can the European Commission be anticipating much opposition from Dr Gonzi? After all his speeches on illegal immigrants begin and end with "Christian values". If Dr Gonzi had an ounce of determination to defend Malta's national interests against the influx to which Malta has been subjected for the last 5 years, we would not be in this situation today.

louise vella

Oct 22nd 2009, 14:50

The proposal would be “a major step forward” to invite millions of Africans to make the journey to the EU. If their application for asylum is
The present asylum system has fallen into disrepute because it is systematically abused by NGOs who coach applicants on what to write and what to say. The proposal by the European Commission will encourage NGOs and asylum seekers to further abuse the system. What the EU needs is a protective system to discourage the boats of illegal immigrants.

Raymond Sammut

Oct 22nd 2009, 14:22

@ Gianninu Saliba -- You wish. You think the little frenchie is that stupid.

Louis Gialanze

Oct 22nd 2009, 14:21

Malta is slowly but surely being turned into a cordon sanitaire of the EU. EFA took on a baggage by stealth and the africanization of this island is now a foregone conclusion. Malta must resist such a measure unless we obtain an irrevocable and confirmed burden sharing agreement in return. Furthermore let us keep in mind that Malta and Malta alone is responsable for it's own security. The threat of homegrown terrorism ,emanating from the failed states of sub sahara, is very much present and a major preoccupation to all democracies.

d. borg

Oct 22nd 2009, 13:50

instead of burden sharing, the EU is imposing on us a time limit of six months. This is unacceptable. Barrot, you talk about protecting these immigrants, may I ask who is protecting our island against this invasion.

S. Portelli

Oct 22nd 2009, 13:07

Are there any people left who realise that we are speaking about HUMAN BEINGS not objects/numbers??

I totally agree that the EU should help us more with responsibility (not burden!) sharing..but do you really believe that prolonging the asylum process will help in any way? Do we remember that most of these people are escaping tragedies in their own country and face a life-threatening voyage to do so? It will only serve to aggravate their mental health status...and then we wonder why they become violent!! Try to put yourself in their shoes and be honest (at least with yourself) -what would you do if you were in their position? Speaking for myself, I think I would be much more violent than they are now. In fact, I'm amazed that they manage to control themselves so much after the harsh times they go through!

And for those who think Africans have nothing to offer us, well..think again! If anything, they can give us a lesson in endurance anytime. Apart from that, there is a lot to learn from each other's culture (but I don't think many are in a position to recognise -or even want to recognise- this fact).

C.ZARB

Oct 22nd 2009, 13:05

Don't worry the government will certainly come out with another brilliant idea which in few months time will be considered a joke by its own men.

Voluntary burden sharing? Frontex? What's next? Maybe we should issue billboards in Libya begging immigrants not to come to Malta? Ah that's a good idea, pls Mr Busuttil pls take note. It may sound a ridiculous idea but its would certainly make us look less ridiculous then insisting on taxi service known as Frontex!

Emanuel Cilia Debono

Oct 22nd 2009, 12:40

In my opinion, the six month limit proposed by the European Commission is only acceptable as part of a wider deal to include also compulsory burden sharing. Otherwise Malta could be compelled to grant citizenship rights to more migrants than it can take, including illegal (economic) migrants not entitled to refugee protection. I would be prepared to consider economic migrants, provided that: (1) they are properly screened at source; and (2) they meet our labour requirements.

Stephen Farrugia ( Rightwing)

Oct 22nd 2009, 11:57

The Rightwing will put an end to this comedy with vigiour.

john fenech

Oct 22nd 2009, 11:40

According to the United Nations Convention and Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees (also called the Refugee Convention), a refugee is someone who is outside their own country and cannot return due to a well-founded fear of persecution because of their:

• race
• religion
• nationality
• membership of a particular social group
• political opinion.

The rest of the illegal immigrants are economical immigrants entering the host country through illegal procedure. Positive identification of the asylum seeker is one of the main reasons of the protracted delay to the immigrant status. Therefore, the EU must put in place an efficient and faster way to authenticate the asylum seekers identity; which is prolonged due to cross border exigency.

Therefore, the EU should endorse Malta’s suggestion, to open an asylum Office in Libya to facilitate the identification at point of origin to reduce the process time. Obviously, the onus for an equitable solution to safeguard the interest of the prospective asylum seekers rest on the EU, UNHCR and Arab League Countries.

Malcolm Farrugia

Oct 22nd 2009, 11:30

@ Mr G.Saliba- I think that the objective behind this proposal is to restrain countries like malta which are faced with this ever increasing influx of illegals. Once the immigrants are granted protection we will be bound to keep them here forever. I arrived to this conclusion from the proven fact that for the hundreds of immigrants that land in Malta every year only a mediocre proportion is taken to other EU countries. Only US is taking a few every now and then, so i wonder what is the meaning to be in the European Union, when we cannot expact any real solution from the bigshots in Brussels.

Michael Montalto

Oct 22nd 2009, 11:28

This is Malta, not Italy. The politicians now in government here have no guts to do what needs to be done, so the EU is taking a strong stance when it comes to us and a soft one when it comes to Italy. This shows that unless there is no will to solve the problem, we are in really dire straits.

Joanne Micallef

Oct 22nd 2009, 11:27

And what were the pros again for signing this immigration pact????????? Ahhhhhhhh yes I clearly remember Dr Gonzi on Xarabank saying that by signing this pact ALL those that are not granted a status will be repatriated using other EU country’s military planes. Now since there is never ANY mention about those illegal immigrants that do not qualify for a status must I gather that it was just an invention of his?

M. Tabone

Oct 22nd 2009, 11:24

MALTA WAKE UP!!!! ITS TIME FOR ACTION.....nothing has been done to aleviate our big problems and worse the EU is taking very lightly.

Gianninu Saliba

Oct 22nd 2009, 11:14

Why doesn't the EU Justice Commissioner Jacques Barrot, through these new proposals, give the right to those applicants who will be successful with their asylum application to be able to go and live in the EU country of their choice. The country of their choice will then be obliged to fly them out of Malta within a month from the conclusion of the application process.

Sam Sammut

Oct 22nd 2009, 10:47

what a Joke on the Maltese people

Malcolm Farrugia

Oct 22nd 2009, 10:16

First we are obliged by Brussels to take immigrants ashore, now they are bullying us to grant them protection within six months. What will follow next an obbligation to grant them citizenship upon arrival?
We joined the EU to form part or a solidified Europe and not to mix with Africans who have nothing to offer to us as a nation and as part of a continent.

john micallef

Oct 22nd 2009, 10:02

and what about those who do not qualify for protection? will they be expelled as they land? and if those who apply for protection do not qualify, will they pay for the time / resources wasted on their application?