Herman Grech
'Push-back' behind steep decline in immigrant arrivals
Illegal immigration figures are down by 50 per cent in comparison to last year. What has brought about this decline?
Ahmadu Aboa Ndenesse, 26, from Cameroon paid €1,300 to his traffickers to gain access to a large wooden fishing boat in Libyan waters.
After nine months in Libya, where he saw several of his friends arrested, and an aborted crossing attempt due to bad weather, Mr Ndenesse landed in Malta on February 1 along with 261 others.
He knows he is among the lucky ones who made it to Europe this year - even if his target destination was Italy, not Malta.
"Since then I hear the situation in Libya has become difficult, very difficult... many are scared," Mr Ndenesse told The Sunday Times.
His concerns are reflected in the number of boat people landing in Malta. A total of 1,397 immigrants have landed this year. That is the lowest figure since 2004, with 1,378 fewer arrivals than last year - so far.
Malta braced itself for the worst when 760 immigrants landed in the first two months of the year. And then something happened. As immigration dominated the run-up to the European elections, amid rising xenophobic sentiments, the figures went down - drastically - with just 16 boats landing.
Various reasons are being attributed to the drop in numbers. The most plausible argument is the controversial deal struck last May between Italy and Libya as part of a wider economic deal. Tripoli agreed to control the flow of immigrants towards Europe, while giving Italy's coastguard the right to return illegal immigrants intercepted at sea to Libyan shores.
Rescue officials who spoke to The Sunday Times said the deal struck between Italy and Libya led to a major decrease in the south Mediterranean route but a marked increase in the flows to Turkey and Greece.
One official said: "The criminal networks are now re-routing through Greece. They are flying their clients to Istanbul and then they go to Izmir and embark on rubber dinghies or speed boats. The journey to Greece is very short."
According to Italian Home Affairs Minister Roberto Maroni, since May 5, when the Italy-Libya agreement was implemented, there has been a drop of 90 per cent in landings on the Italian coast. The initiative was applauded in Malta, with an increasingly vocal anti-immigration lobby urging the government to take Italy's cue.
However, it has infuriated human rights organisations and the Vatican, since the push-back failed to assess the migrants' eligibility for asylum. Libya is not a signatory to the UN convention for refugees.
A spokesman for UNHCR told The Sunday Times there is little doubt the arrangement between Italy and Libya has made it more difficult for migrants and asylum seekers to cross the Mediterranean.
"The UNHCR is concerned about the situation since a significant number of those crossing by sea are in fact refugees and asylum seekers. With the limited possibilities of finding safety in Libya, the grave risks linked to the actions of smugglers and traffickers, and a further tightening of asylum policies in Europe, the result is that too many people in need of protection are unable to find safety."
The spokesman recalled the precarious nature of crossing the Mediterranean Sea, where migrants' and asylum seekers' lives hang in the balance.
The deal has not eliminated the occasional diplomatic spat between Italy and Malta over who should assume responsibility for taking immigrants who are stranded at sea.
Human trafficking is said to have been big business in Libya, with different officials believed to have had a finger in the pie - before the Libyan government started its crackdown. There are also reports that a factory producing boats specifically for immigrants was shut down.
A spokesman for the EU border agency, Frontex, Michal Parzyszek believes there are a number of reasons behind the decline. The strengthening of border control operations, which coordinated the assets of 10 member states at Malta's borders, combined with agreements such as the one between Italy and Libya have probably triggered a shift of the illegal migratory flow towards the eastern Mediterranean route, he said.
Some nationalities, such as Somalis whose detection plummeted dramatically, seem to be targeting Kenya, South Africa or are trying to transit through the Arabic peninsula, Mr Parzyszek explained.
Libya has signed no readmission agreement with Europe so far but a number of other deals are believed to have redirected the flow, sometimes even stemming it. For example, a bilateral agreement was signed last April between Libya and Niger for intercepted migrants.
"At last, we note the commitment of the Libyan authorities to counter facilitation networks within their own ranks and to strengthen controls," Mr Parzyszek said.
Italy also adopted amendments to its penal code in order to discourage illegal stays.
Mr Parzyszek said the international recession had contracted the jobs market in EU states and this might have also played a role in the decline. However, the impact of the recession was probably minimal seeing that many immigrants often spend three to 12 months travelling and working in different hubs along the route.
A spokesman for the Armed Forces said that while the number of immigrants from Africa arriving in Malta this year had practically halved, the number of immigrants arriving in Lampedusa or Sicily has been even lower.
"It is still too early to determine with a degree of certainty whether immigrants are choosing different routes. Quoting numbers of immigrants landing on European soil, like Greece, Cyprus or Spain, might also not be good enough because one needs to also verify the countries of origin, and the transportation means used by immigrants to reach the port of departure before making the sea crossing."
Back at the Marsa Open Centre, Mr Ndenesse said the scenario has changed to a large extent as human traffickers become even more dangerous to deal with.
"I've heard of many traffickers who demand money from the immigrants and then run away with it, without fulfilling their side of the deal. I've heard of traffickers who now demand the fee - twice - and then report the immigrants to the police.
"The government is cracking down on the main areas of trafficking. The business is evidently being watched closer. But many, many immigrants are still in Libya waiting to cross. The desperation persists."
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Louise C. Camilleri
Nov 16th 2009, 10:13
@Edward Zammit and the rest, can you please provide us with valid arguments to these questions:
- WHY does a 'culture', a 'tradition' or a 'nation' trump individual human rights?
- WHAT is so inherently necessary in a tradition, that you could not live without? You could obviously not live without the human right not to be tortured or murdered arbitrarily, but could you not survive without your 'tradition'?
- WHY resist change, when it's so obviously futile, do you really believe Maltese can stay in the stone age, homogenous and untouched for ages?
- WHY is it ok to turn your back on a persecuted because you want to keep your local cafeterias 'white'?
- WHAT is your responsibility in the global context to help those in need?
- WHY is it ok to selfishly resist redistribution of wealth so that you could have a little bit more?
- WHO has the responsibility to take refugees if not you, and why?
- WHAT do we mean by responsibility to respect human rights?
- WHEN is an omission not justified? When a neighbourhood girl is raped by her uncle? When a somali is raped by her persecutors?
Louise C. Camilleri
Nov 16th 2009, 10:02
@Muscat: "They are flying .. This goes to prove that they are not escaping persecution "
Don't be naive. Forging passports is often part of the deal. Do you even know what's happening in Somalia,do you read?
"Somalis and Eritreans could easily go to Saudi Arabia but they don't. Why?"
SA not signatory to Refugee Convention-51. In 2008 over 50,000 Somalis reached Yemen.
@Isobel: Louise Vella has become a common joke, only admired in ToM comments. Have a critical eye to what she says, think yourself.
@E. Sammit: "the majority of them are not true refugees but just want to live off our hard earned money" Are you serious? Have you even talked to these people? Have you seen them waiting by the roadside every morning looking for work? They know what you think of them, and feel ashamed. They fill the employment offices. They want to work!
Let me say 2 things:
1. Selfish nationalist ideas should NEVER trump human rights and our responsibility to respect them.
2. Those who arrive to a country and apply for asylum are exercising their LEGAL right to do so, it is not against the law!
Edward Zammit
Nov 15th 2009, 21:43
cultures and religious beliefs without any regards to ours !
This is not a question of Humanity or Rights or Politics. It's a question of safe guarding what we have here and now, and what our forefather left us, and most importantly what are going to leave for our children and their children !
Charity begins at home and that is exactly what the Italian Government did. They have guarded their rights from foreigners who entered their soil illegally. This isn't a question about not helping people in need. But help doesn't mean foolishness, and assisting outsiders at the expense and detriment of your own !!!
Edward Zammit
Nov 15th 2009, 21:35
I don't believe what this country has come to nowadays !!
We worry about invaders, throughout all our history ( from what I can remember from school ) we always fought off the People's who oppressed us in one way or another be it the Spanish, Normans, Turks, French, the British etc.
To-day we seem to have forgotten that these newcomers are posing a serious problem to our culture, heritage, and financial situation among other things as the majority of them are not true refugees but just want to live off our hard earned money and play football all day long in Marsa and Hal-far ( hobz il-biezel kielu l-ghazzien ). On the other hand those who want to work are :
1. Sending the money they earn to their home country.
2. Taking jobs that otherwise Maltese citizens would have been employed in !!!!
The true problem however is that these people are like baby making machines and also want to live in a detached community (ghetto) and soon enough we will have a full compliment of Africans who will want the Maltese community (who never sent for them) to appease their -
Joe Vella
Nov 15th 2009, 18:40
@ Charles Sammut
Why don't you get credible. It is as if that the Maltese Government is encouraging and abating in the illegal immigration trade and that it is encouraging illegal immigrants to come to Malta. The Maltese Government, through its highly respected armed forces, simply respond to calls of distress. Never mind what international Conventions call for in these circumstances; You tell me, what is it there to do in these circumstances?
The only beneficiaries from this issue is the Official Opposition because it gives her an issue without having to offer any constructive criticism or any workable solution.
Joe Vella
Nov 15th 2009, 18:19
@ James A. Tyrrell
I can hardly wait for YOU, or any other one for that matter, what options that these individuals have that are running away from certain persecution. If you truly value human life, which I doubt from your comments, You would not attached any nationality to it. Human life is a human life, period.
Let's not put in one bag the illegal immigrants and those rotten criminals that are preying on thier miseries.
Charles Sammut
Nov 15th 2009, 17:22
Like everybody else, Mr Ahmadu Aboa Ndenesse has every right to exercise his right to be irresponsible if not criminal. Cameroon is at peace and children have access to free schooling provided by government and subsidised private or religious educational facilities. There are six universities and its GDP is among the highest in sub-Saharan Africa. But people do not get free accomodation, internet, mobile phones, water and electricity, pocket money and exemption from taxes. So who can blame this gentleman for looking for greener pastures?
Thanks to this spineless government, these people are here to stay and more will come in the years to come.
Joanne Micallef
Nov 15th 2009, 17:08
Well said Ms Louise Vella, as for the figures, they just quote the allowance we give them and the salaries of the persons that take care of them, leaving out what these ILLEGAL immigrants actually cost this country in medical and educational bills.
lgalea
Nov 15th 2009, 16:35
louise vella
Answers to your questions
Number 1 NADA, NIL, ZERO, NONE
Number 2 - 4 NO.
Muscat D Good observations
Andrew Calleja We feel NO pity for invaders of our country. If you want to help them just go to their own countries and help them there.
We do not care a hoot about what Ndenesse thinks or is worried about. He should be EXPELLED back to his own country with the rest of the illegal immigrants because they have absolutely NO right to be here. This is OUR country NOT theirs.
Joe Vella The options have been written time and time again. They know the consequences so let them face them and not risk our soldiers lives to save them. Those who make it to here must be EXPELLED back to Libya or to their own countries. All we can say is that GONZI is happily dishing out money and services to ILLEGAL immigrants at OUR expense while MALTESE citizens are left without proper services.
James A. Tyrrell
Nov 15th 2009, 13:43
@Joe Vella. The value of human life as you put it Joe are indeed important but the most important human lives are those of the ordinary Maltese citizen. No one asked these people to come to Malta. No one asked them to put money in the hands of criminals to enter the country illegally. There are plenty of options open to them without going down this route but they don't take these options.
Where else can they get handouts like they do in Europe? By standing up for the rights of these people you are standing up for the rights of the criminals who are making it possible for them to reach Europe in this way. And where do you think all the money, which these criminals make, ends up? The answer to that is simple, it is re-invested in drugs, which find their way back to Europe to poison our children.
Eric Soames
Nov 15th 2009, 12:49
Joe Vella: I can only think of one thing the government has been doing, and that is handing out largesse. Perhaps you'd care to enumerate the steps being taken to stem this financial hemorrhage? The only ones enjoying a nap are those who refuse to see the potential turmoil down the road if this influx were to continue unabated.
Raymond Sammut
Nov 15th 2009, 12:46
This is a relatively long article. But the essence is in this one paragraph alone:
"According to Italian Home Affairs Minister Roberto Maroni, since May 5, when the Italy-Libya agreement was implemented, there has been a drop of 90 per cent in landings on the Italian coast. The initiative was applauded in Malta, with an increasingly vocal anti-immigration lobby urging the [Gonzi] government to take Italy's cue."
The unfortunate thing for Maltese people, both on Malta and abroad, is that Gonzi did not pay heed to the call to take Italy's cue. Instead, he continued until this day to stay put, stay mum, and let the AFM do the hard work in the open sea; your typical good-for-nothing PM when faced with an unprecedented situation. The Maltese people on Malta only have the minister of a foreign country to thank. Not one single illegal boat Gonzi had the temerity to return to Libya. All he could come up with was the idea of "the nearest port" which more often than not backfired on him at the Maltese taxpayers' expense. And the potential of this happening again very much remains.
Joe Vella
Nov 15th 2009, 11:59
@ Eric Soumes
Perhaps you have been enjoying a very long nap.
Joe Vella
Nov 15th 2009, 11:58
@ Isobel Mcgonigle
No one is happy with the illegal immigration crises, the least the Government. Perhaps one could argue that it is the opposition that is the happy trooper with the issue; since illegal immigration provides the Government with an insurable problem. With comments like yours, Louise Vella and others goes to prove this.
We all make excellent armchair critics, but offer no solutions. What is the option? Let them drown in the middle of the Mediterranean? As humans, have we all lost the value of Human life?
Eric Soames
Nov 15th 2009, 11:04
Strangely missing from this article was what the Maltese government was doing to address this issue. Could it be because the administration is doing ... nothing?
Isobel Mcgonigle
Nov 15th 2009, 10:52
@
Mr Callega
At least Louise,does not have her head buried in the sand,like the proverbial Ostrich,
She knows the devastating effect, illegal immigration has had on the rest of Europe,and clearly does not want the same to happen,to her beloved Malta.
Keep up the good work Louise,I am sure the vast majority,of the people of Malta, like you,"Can see the light"
Andrew Calleja
Nov 15th 2009, 10:00
Ms Louise Vella, again, graces us with her infinite wisdom.
Muscat D
Nov 15th 2009, 09:54
"One official said: "The criminal networks are now re-routing through Greece. They are flying their clients to Istanbul and then they go to Izmir and embark on rubber dinghies or speed boats. The journey to Greece is very short.""
They are flying them out to Turkey. This goes to prove that they are not escaping persecution and fleeing with only their clothes on their back as some NGOs would have us believe. They need passports to fly. These passports mysteriously disappear when they get onthe boats. These people are economic immigrants.
Somalis and Eritreans could easily go to Saudi Arabia but they don't. Why? Because there , they have to work, whereas in Europe they are given everything for free, at the expense of the taxpayer. No wonder the indegenous population does not want them. With millions coming to Europe we risk being swamped by alien cultures and losing all we have gained . One has only to look at what happened to Lebanon in the 70's to get a good idea what is in store for us if this immigration wave continues.
Mario Attard
Nov 15th 2009, 09:53
I would like to comment on the following:
"His concerns are reflected in the number of boat people landing in Malta. A total of 1,397 immigrants have landed this year. That is the lowest figure since 2004, with 1,378 fewer arrivals than last year - so far."
So Mr. Ndenesse is 'concerned' that only 1397 illegal immigrants have landed in Malta this year. Ehh...and how about being concerned about the Maltese people Mr. Ndenesse? Have you thought of them? Just incredible!
...... with just 16 boats landing.
So we have come to the absurd point where 16 boats are considered to be irrelevent to Malta. We're talking of a tiny piece of rock that is immensely over populated with limited resources!! This is exactly why thousands of Maltese had voiced their concerns when all of this madness started. They could see the negative consequences coming upon Malta.
louise vella
Nov 15th 2009, 09:36
The main questions are:
1. How many illegal immigrants can a small overpopulated island like Malta take?
2. Have the Maltese people ever been consulted (by a referendum or any other means) as to whether they are willing to take these illegal immigrants and, if so, how many of them?
3. Do the common people of these islands approve and welcome what they see in Marsa, Birzebbuga and other places?
4. What is the cost of illegal immigrants to the Maltese taxpayer and can Malta afford it?