Marthese Mamo, Attard
Causes of illegal immigration
So far no sensible solution has been found to the problem of illegal immigration. I feel that a just solution exists and I wish to put forward this suggestion.
There are two major problems causing this surge. One is war. Who is supplying the arms? This can certainly be established. The countries producing and supplying these arms must shoulder their responsibility. We must not forget that they have made money from the misery of these countries.
All countries found to be supplying arms to war-torn areas should be obliged to accept all refugees displaced because of war. This will serve as a deterrent to arms trafficking and will be an incentive for serious control by governments. This in turn will save lives and stabilise the countries concerned.
The other cause of outflow is poverty. This is no easy matter. Money alone will not solve the problem. I feel this problem should be dealt with internationally. These underdeveloped countries need help in education, infrastructure and financing. Countries and companies that have benefited from their resources should be obliged to dig deep into their pockets and fork out their share - and not on a voluntary basis, please! Those responsible must pay up.
Most of these migrants are not happy living away from their people and their country. Money and a job are not enough to make a person happy. This unhappiness will make them restless. A solution must be implemented because this problem will not go away unless its root causes are tackled.
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Denis Catania
Nov 1st 2009, 16:49
The only solution for Malta is to use the veto power in the EU. We are too small to try to solve Africa's problem. Arms has nothing to do with it. As we seen recently in Malta, it was sticks and stones they fought with, where one illegal was in critical condition from a beating from STICKS AND STONES. If they want to come to Malta, let them apply legally and when we have room for them, we will call on them. The tent cities should be in Africa run by the highly paid UN executives. Again the only solution is to use the VETO power. Not that we know for a fact that MOST of the EU countries won't help and the once that are going to help, MIGHT take half a dozen or so.
John Azzopardi
Nov 1st 2009, 13:29
The cause is not poverty alone. It' is also people wanting to have a better live as the Maltese did in their thousands and thousands. But the Maltese emigrants in the past 60 years went to countries LEGALLY where they shared a western culture with their host countries and jobs were plentiful. MALTA IS JUST A LITTLE ISLAND (for those who don't know and think they can solve the poverty in Africa) and cannot afford to hava more than a handful of legal immigrants coming to our shorts, but not thousands of young men who could potentially threaten our security. Maybe Europe can take the lead from the Chinese and not just give money, but participate in the building of the infracstructure of Africa as the chinese are doing. Of course, some countries are way too corrupt. Solution is to boycott them until they change as is happening in Zimbabwe. It take time, but they will change. Look at Somalia. they have to countries. One stable, one not.
R. Agius
Nov 1st 2009, 13:20
This is the true way to address the phenomenon of illegal immigration. By tackling the root of the problem one can really expect to move forward. This is the problem which the EU should address. Xenophobic statements and useless implementation plans are hindering the true work which needs to be done!
Robert Callus
Nov 1st 2009, 10:23
Very good article especially "Money alone will not solve the problem"
Africa and Asia are exrremely wealthy continents. However the EU, US and other countries like China pay for powerful dictators and Militas expecting something in return: The right to exploit their country is the reward given back, at the detriment of poor civilians. IF the money is not tricling down to the poor, no amount of money will eradicate or even lessen poverty.
The supply of weapons works on the same basis, which makes things much worse since they make the abusers even more powerful since honest reformists, human rights activists and pacifists and accademics in these continents are, for good reason, afraid to speak their voice.
In some regions, aid workers such as the UNHCR, together with local volunteers are harassed and risk their lives daily in order to give innocent civilians their basic needs such as food, medicine and shelter.
Joseph Ellul - Sydney
Nov 1st 2009, 09:11
@ M. Mamo.
" All countries found to be supplying........to accept all refuges Etc Etc." Are you out of your mind ? Could you send the Chinese Muslims who ran away from conflict this year back to China ? They will end up in front of a firing squad or the least washing pig skin in light acid in one of the jails. Iran and North Korea are well known for their illigal exports of weapons. Would you send refugees from Sudan to North Korea ? N. Korea has 5 million people starving to death, do you think that they care for the Africans? Iran is persecuting Sunni Muslims in the eastern provinces, do you think they will take in non Muslims ? Grow up and be realistic.
Most of these forced travellers will be happier if accepted as equals in another country. Believe me, I am one.
louise vella
Nov 1st 2009, 08:28
I agree with the letter writer. Tackle the root causes. First stop civil and tribal wars in Africa. Stop arms sales to African countries and punish the arms sellers. Second, abolish poverty by raising the level of development in Africa. Problem is this takes ages, decades if not centuries.
Malta's problem is here and now. At the rate of 2000 illegal immigrants per year, we would get 20 000 in ten years, plus their offspring. Do the do-gooders who lobby in favour of illegal immigrants want Malta to accept 20 000+ illegal immigrants. If not, how many? With Dr Gonzi's present policy of 'welcome to all-comers from Africa because of our religious obligations', we do not know how many of Africa's millions of unfortunately poor people will end up in Malta.
Let's tackle the root causes, but in the meantime let's defend Malta from the unlimited influx of illegal immigrants by a serious coastguard and by a determined policy of repatriating all those who have no right to be in Malta.