Immigrants' life and dignity should be respected - MSF
Immigrants were vulnerable people who went through a very difficult journey where they often faced violence and abuse, Médecins Sans Frontières said in a statement in which it urged European governments to respect the life, dignity and healthcare of migrants and asylum seekers .
It said that asylum seekers and undocumented migrants were bearing the brunt of increasingly restrictive policies which took a toll on their physical and mental health.
“Escaping conflict, deprivation or widespread violations of human rights, they endure long and dangerous journeys to Europe.
“Yet when they finally reach Europe, many face prolonged detention, appalling living conditions and a lack of access to healthcare.
“Others remain trapped outside Europe or are intercepted and sent back to countries where their health and lives may be at risk.”
Ahead of International Migrants Day, the international humanitarian organisation urged policy makers across Europe to respect the life and dignity of migrants and asylum seekers and improve their access to basic services, including shelter and healthcare.
MSF said that border control policies implemented by the European Union or individual member states left many undocumented migrants and asylum seekers trapped on the outskirts of Europe for long periods of time or force them back to the places where they come from.
In Greece and Malta, MSF’s work in detention centres for undocumented migrants and asylum seekers revealed high rates of depression, anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder.
“In the detention centres we find overcrowding and horrible hygiene conditions. Also, being detained without actually having committed any crime and the uncertainty for their future is incredibly frustrating,” said Christos Papaioannou, MSF field coordinator in Greece.
MSF said immigrants were vulnerable people who went through a very difficult journey where they often faced violence and abuse.
“When they finally reach Europe, hoping it to be the end of a series of traumatic events, they are greeted with detention, horrible living conditions, limited access to healthcare and exclusion from society.
“It is paramount that migration policies in Europe respect the life and dignity of these individuals and improve their access to medical care, including psychological support,” said Liesbeth Schockaert, MSF’s humanitarian affairs advisor.
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louise vella
Dec 18th 2009, 17:16
Notice they are no longer called refugees protected by I don't know which convention and international law etc etc. They are now called by their name - migrants - people who move from their country to a richer country to better their economic conditions.
U x'wicc tost! They come in boats illegally without any money or belongings. They are fed, clothed and lodged at the expense of the Maltese taxpayer. They are a burden on our social services and all community services. As an eminent judge said only yesterday, they are a threat to the stability of our country. On top of it all they expect first class medical treatment at our expense for all the medical problems and conditions they bring with them from their countries of origin.
All thanks to Dr Laurence (Christian values) Gonzi.
Isobel Mcgonigle
Dec 18th 2009, 17:03
Dear MSF,
Could you please despatch,urgently ,a large quantity,of ,off white potatoes,plus various sauces,as the colour of the potatoes ,plus,the available sauces here in Malta,seem to offend,the immigrants human rights
Charmaine Magro
Dec 18th 2009, 17:00
Excuse me for passing a subtle hint to Médecins Sans Frontières - a migrant who had escaped from Malta and made his way to France was just returned by the French Police and will now be facing six months jail.. Ermmm, why didnt you keep him in France then? After all he entered our country in the same way - illegally. It 's easy to ask and expect others to keep these illegal immigrants, yet our dear european neighbouring countries are just good at pointing fingers, it seems!!
Clint Cassar
Dec 18th 2009, 16:51
@ Joe Aquilina
http://www.healthpowerhouse.com/files/EHIVI%202009%20Press%20release%20Malta.pdf
Will be awaiting your comments.
@ Ruth Chircop
What if I were to sleep with someone who slept with an immigrant? Should people who sleep with immigrants wear a badge so that we can know whom to be cautious of?
Not as slim as you think, I can assure you.
Louis Gialanze
Dec 18th 2009, 16:49
How very convenient for MSF not to mention that Africa comprises 53 countries most of which are conflict free and have stable governments. Illegal immigrants could easily have moved sideways. However greed motivates these people to risk their lives and make the crossing by sea on "long dangerous journeys". If anything most are economic migrants. Furthermore, illegal immigrants come in uninvited and are a strain on our economy. MSF could do much better if it were to reveal to the maltese taxpayer the cost of keeping these people on our shores.
Joe Aquilina
Dec 18th 2009, 16:38
Can Louise Vella back her assumptions about healthcare with some figures - if she cannot I am sorry to say she is more intolerant than I thought any decent Maltese citizen could be
ruth chircop
Dec 18th 2009, 16:17
@louise vella
Unless you plan to sleep with every illegal immigrant unprotected the chance of you contracting AIDS or HIV is very slim!!!
louise vella
Dec 18th 2009, 16:13
MSF should also be told to add up the cost of the medical services and medicines that Maltese hospitals are giving free of charge to the illegal immigrants. It is well known that many of them suffer from TB and other contagious diseases that they bring with them from their countries of origin.
MSF should also be told that the Maltese government has had to resort to the services of private hospitals to meet demands from the population in general. The additional burden of illegal immigrants must have been a contributory factor to this situation.
c. camilleri
Dec 18th 2009, 15:58
"Being detained with actually committing any crime" Is entering a foreign country illegally no longer a crime? They are lucky they are put in detention camps provided with accommodation and all necessities for free. Foreigners entering their own countries illegally are put in prison or beaten up.
Trevor Lorenzo Mizzi
Dec 18th 2009, 15:48
First we have the "Migrants lose human rights case" debacle reported in the Times and these right on queue come up and tell us this again and again.
Who stands up for the Maltese national and taxpayer I wonder, certainly not the people we elected.
lgalea
Dec 18th 2009, 15:46
louise vella
Excellent comments Louise.
MSF again interfering in our internal affairs.
louise vella
Dec 18th 2009, 15:36
The lives, dignity and standard of living and the peace of mind of the Maltese should be protected and defended from the deluge of illegal immigrants that we are facing.
Among the health problems of African illegal immigrants that MSF did not mention is a high incidence of HIV/AIDS. Half the new cases of HIV/AIDS in Malta occur among illegal immigrants who are less than 2% of the population.
This is the thanks that Dr Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici received for letting MSF into the detention centres, the proverbial snake in his sleeve.