'Detention centre' at City Gate

J.Spiteri

Dec 21st 2009, 19:21

@ Tom Dimech. Fortunately for these countries, the UNHCR and the JRS seem to refrain from meddling in their affairs. Small countries like Malta are easier targets.

Tom Dimech

Dec 21st 2009, 17:15

If you cross the North Korean border illegally you get 12 years of hard labor. If you cross the Iranian border illegally you are detained indefinitely. If you cross the Afghan border illegally you get shot. If you cross the Egyptian border illegally you get shot. If you cross the Saudi Arabia border illegally you will be jailed. If you cross the Chinese border illegally you may never be heard of again. If you cross the Venezuelan born illegally you will be branded a spy and your fate sealed. If you cross the Cuban border illegally you will rot in prison no questions asked. If you cross the Mexican border illegally you will be jailed, beaten, and eventually thrown out.

Neil Sant

Dec 21st 2009, 08:45

As they are human beings just like ourselves, we need to rescue illegals at sea and provide them with nourishment and shelter. Having said that, illegal immigration is a crime and one that is very harmful to the country. These economic migrants should be sent back to their country of origin. Try visiting another country without documents and see what happens. Let's open our eyes before it is too late!!

M.Dingli

Dec 21st 2009, 01:33

Well done Moviment Graffitti.
Shame on you all who say that they need to be behind bars.So much racism will come back and hit you smack between the eyes.

Luke Buhagiar

Dec 20th 2009, 17:41

Well done Moviment Graffitti ! ! And for all those who are in favour of detention centres, it is purely just a case of fear and xenophobia, and far-right pseudo-arguments infiltrated in your brains...

r.sacco

Dec 20th 2009, 15:15

@ c. farrugia: on the contrary of what you think there are catholic minorities in iran, syria, lebanon, iraq and other muslim countries and they are all free to worship and practice their religion.

John Betts

Dec 20th 2009, 14:44

"Maltese should not have to be in the business of running detention centers for unwanted guests but we should be hosting tourist who pay their way to visit our glorious city. "

So that's what it boils down to: hide away the problem, cover up marginalization, and welcome the paying visitor. I suppose this is what "being a Christian doesn't mean thinking only with your heart but also with your brain" implies, then: hiding dust under the carpet and pandering to your pockets. A city built for that alone has nothing 'glorious' about it.

"True, the Lord does work in mysterious ways, but I highly doubt that posing as an illegal immigrant and entering a country illegally is on His agenda!"
What, then, is his agenda? A visit on board a superyacht? A cruise and a one-day shopping spree? A chartered flight and red carpet treatment? An evening at a gentlemen's club? Could be anything, and I'm not presuming to know; but getting born in a manger and fleeing to Egypt sounds quite like being at the margins of society or a refugee.
Happy Christmas.

J.Spiteri

Dec 20th 2009, 12:06

Wouldn't it have been more appropriate if the ' volunteers ' had set up a camp with similar living conditions these people left behind in their countries ? I am sure that life at the detention centres is incomparable to what they left behind ; free accommodation, free meals, free medical services, financial assistance, etc.etc... If life at the detention centres is so miserable, what's holding them from returning to their own countries ?

Robert Callus

Dec 20th 2009, 10:55

@Edward Zammit
This activity has nothing to do with whom to accept or not but detention policy. And YES what you mentioned - the effect and injustice on the guards - is part of the issue and was addressed in the Press Release

@those mentioning Christianity
I'm not Christian and a secularist and don't believe this is an issue of Christianity. However it amazes me that when one mentions Christian symbolisms or words in this country we get an outrage, while for many, this definitely un-Christian way of keeping people detained for long periods in inhuman circumstances is a non issue.

laurence schembri

Dec 20th 2009, 09:07

I have lived in the UK during the influx of Wesi Indians, followed by Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Indians, Europeans from all parts of the continent, never have I witnessed so much racism as I am experiencing today in Malta, we should be ashamed of ourselves, forgetting the plight of some less better off than we are, we are talking about human beings. Shame on you all, I suppose you`ll all be going to church this morning, keep in mind while you pretend you are praying that Jesus was born of a dark colour too.

victor pulis

Dec 20th 2009, 09:01

Margaret Richards your shouting doesn't impress us and being a Christian doesn't mean thinking only with your heart but also with your brain. The facts are that Malta, being a tiny speck in the Med cannot afford all these illegal migrants and the last thing we want is to encourage more of them to come here. These protesters want to give these illegals the right to roamaround our island without the necessary documents. Someone below stated that they could be the lord in disguise(!) they could also be criminals on the run who knows?
Being a Christian doesn't mean you should lie down and let yourself be used as a mat. because one day you may wake up and find that you are no longer living in a Christian or Maltese island.

YOSEF SCERRI

Dec 20th 2009, 07:33

ye, give them 5 star service so more can come???!!!!!! this is an example.

Jason Xuereb

Dec 20th 2009, 03:52

Sorry but what these people are doing in Valletta gate is simply pathetic. Illegal immigrants will always remain illegal and it is unfair that we are accepting them on our small island just for the sake to be real christians. These people who are helping these illegal immigrants are not seeing the future consequences of all this!!! So, In such a big continent like Australia these are being refused to stay and we are accepting all this in our country!! we are really HEROES! Yes, today's Valletta's protest was simply sick and pathetic!!!

R. Gatt

Dec 19th 2009, 23:19

@Mr Callus

Have you ever stopped to listen to yourself? You're just making matters worse for everyone with your contradicting statements

"..these people haven't committed any crime" - except entering a country illegally. Last time I checked, that was a crime.

"..when these people arrive in a country and are given some form of basic identification, they can be taken to an open centre where they must stay, but are free to roam about until full identifiaction is complete" -1.)Then why on earth do they destroy their identification documents en-route? -2.) I dare you to try doing that Mr Callus. Destroy your documentation en-route to any European destination. I'm sure the authorities at your country of arrival will provide you with some sort of basic documentation and let you roam about until they decide what to do with you.

"..detention doesn't help provide identification for these people" - then again, Istill cannot see how letting them roam about will help either.

BTW, we'll all be better off if you head south to Libya and do everyone a favour by warning these 'people' before they actually set foot on our tiny island in the first place.

R. Gatt

Dec 19th 2009, 23:01

@J. Mifsud.

You said: "When you have a look at one of these illegal immigrants, just imagine that any of them might be the Lord in disguise. "

- True, the Lord does work in mysterious ways, but I highly doubt that posing as an illegal immigrant and entering a country illegally is on His agenda!

J.Abela

Dec 19th 2009, 22:51

@J. Mifsud,

What's your point about Christmas spirit sir?

True, I define myself as Catholic and believe in assisting the less fortunate and in charity.. but that does not mean accepting illegal and abusive behaviour!

"None of the volunteers have to take any illegal immigrants home to prove their point"

on the contrary Mr. Mifsud, they should be the first to put their money where their mouth is..

At the end of the day, like we say in Maltese this was just 'a hanqa ta' hmar fid-dezert'...

j

Edward Zammit

Dec 19th 2009, 22:42

Will some good Samaritan hold any protest for the benefit of those poor souls who keep guard with these illegal immigrants ? Those persons who go through hell just trying to earn a living and go home in one piece !!

A Agius

Dec 19th 2009, 20:28

Maltese don't need NGOs but solutions from the politicians! Immigration is a serious problem in Malta and it's about time that we do something to prevent these people from enter of territorial water's in the first place.

Andre' Callus also complained that the detention centres were so overcrowded, and conditions were so bad, that the migrants actually preferred going to prison. I'd say to Mr. Callus that they should have been sent to prison in the first place because its the place for criminals and they are all CRIMINALS cause they crossed borders ILLEGALLY.

Alexander Morana

Dec 19th 2009, 20:28

Is this the state to which we Maltese have rendered a magnificent city gate of a city build by gentlemen for gentlemen?
Maltese should not have to be in the business of running detention centers for unwanted guests but we should be hosting tourist who pay their way to visit our glorious city.

Edric Micallef Figallo

Dec 19th 2009, 19:54

This activity comes just after our courts have declared this:

"Mr Justice Mallia declared that it did not result that the conditions in the Detention Centre were aimed at humiliating and debasing the inmates but at maintaining the stability of the country and to prohibit a deluge of irregular migrants across the country." - http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091217/local/claims-of-human-rights-violation-dismissed

The activity is nothing but the radical leftist ideology being applied by those that deny country and religion, well done to the Jesuits who collaborate with them. No thanks to them all. What they're telling us is no matter how much illegal immigrants Malta gets they should be left roaming freely, controlled OPEN centres and what not. Give them accomodation and freedom at our expense, a pat on their back as well.

The organisations involved are so insignificant that no one bothers to do a counter-demonstration, and no one should. The people should be clear with our representatives in opposing immigration the way it is affecting Malta. That should be our basic political activity in relation to it all.

Well done to the organisers, not for the politics, but for the stunt.

P.Gauci

Dec 19th 2009, 19:05

Shame on whoever gave these time wasters the permit to erect that monstrosity right next to the entrance of our capital city. Just passed next to it this afternoon.

Surprisingly there were no broken bathrooms like the ones the immigrants broke at the Ta' Kandja and Safi detention centres.

C.ZARB

Dec 19th 2009, 18:55

Anti and Pro immigrants groups are failing from addressing the problem. The problem is not Malta, the immigrants or its citizens. The problem lie beyond our shores and is created by corrupt African governments who treat people like dirt and Western nations who benefit from such chaotic situation. The only discrimination we are guilty of is by us, signing and sticking to the Dublin treaty. Its a disgrace that immigrants are forced to live in a such small and overpopulated country and we have to accept that despite not having neither the resources nor space to do so.

@ J Mifsud

I believe that the Lord wanted the Christians to give their own money to help the poor and not Caeser's.

J Micallef

Dec 19th 2009, 18:54

@Mario Attard
Actually roughly half of immigrants are given humanitarian protection in Malta. But even those who are not refugees are given a right to present their case (because one has to hear the case to make a decision). The problem with prolonged detention is that whatever the final status, this should be as short and as humanely as possible. The faster one decides their fate the faster we can deport those here illegally, and try to relocate genuine refugees.

Good Christians are not in favour of illegality, but in favour of treating everyone from the most needy to the most criminal in a humane way. People in detention suffer irrespective if they are convicted child murderers, illegal immigrants, refugees, kidnapped people, or terrorists in Guantanamo. We put criminals in prison because it is necessary and not because we enjoy seeing them suffer!

Alfred Baldacchino

Dec 19th 2009, 18:50

I reiterate that most of the countries, that immigrants are coming from, are more well-off
(not better off) than tiny Malta.
Though mostly desert, these countries have some of the world's richest mineral deposits
ready for the picking.
Unfortunately, their governments prefer to get at these resources through wars and
bloodshed, rather than through democracy.

T Mifsud

Dec 19th 2009, 18:06

You have absolutely lost your credibility. Remove yourself from City Gate. Illegal Immigrants are ILLEGAL. They committed a crime! Therefore detaining them before repatriation while giveng them food, water, shelter, money, mobiles is not treating illegals that badly. After all THEY chose their fate once they agreed to start the voyage onto other people's land. illegal immigrants are becoming a threat to society because they are skewing the demography, upsetting the balance and unbalancing rights by abuse of democracy.

We should follow France, Switzerland and Australia as they are the assertive countries who realised they must do it now before it is too late!

A Cassar

Dec 19th 2009, 17:39

@Chris Mifsud, Frans H Said
It is not for you to decide what is legal or not. It is the law which states that.

Maltese law (and the law in all western democracies), states that one may enter our country without passports, without money and without identification to seek humanitarian assistance (because obviously, one cannot expect anyone who needs assistance to have these). So one cannot charge someone with something which is not illegal!!! If his/her plea is not accepted then he/she becomes an illegal immigrant and is deported.

It is neither illegal for someone to enter Maltese SAR waters on the way to a third country. Nor is it illegal to ask to be rescued when in need. So an illegal economic immigrant on the way to Italy who needs to be rescued cannot be charged with anything because he was not breaking Maltese law.

The amount of immigrants and the amount of problems they are causing us calls for Europe to solve this problem. The ends don't justify the means.

C. Farrugia

Dec 19th 2009, 16:45

To all the Christians below professing the Christian faith. If things remain as is we will soon not be allowed to practice our faith for fear of hurting the individualities of non-Christians among us. Try and make the sign of the cross in public in Tehran????? Or try and build a christian place of worship in Iran?????

MARGARET RICHARDS

Dec 19th 2009, 16:42

I HOPE THAT ALL THE RACIST BLOGGERS WILL TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN MORE WHAT IT MEANS TO BE AN IRREGULAR IMMIGRANT, TO LEAVE A LIFE OF HELL ONLY TO FINISH UP IN DETENTION FOR 18 MONTHS. WHY DON'T YOU TRY IT?? I'M SURE IT WILL SERVE YOU AS A DETERRENT NOT TO AIR SUCH RACIST, XENOPHOBIC, HATEFUL, NASTY COMMENTS. IT SEEMS THAT NOT EVEN THE CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS OR THE STATUES OF BABY JESUS ARE SUCCEEDING TO ELIMINATE SUCH UNREASONABLE HATRED. GUESS THE SAYING THAT 'ST PAUL TOOK OFF THE POISON FROM THE SERPENT'S MOUTH AND THREW IT STRAIGHT TO THE MALTESE MOUTHS' IS A FAIR EQUATION TO MOST OF THE BLOGGERS. HAPPY CHRISTMAS DEAR BLOGGERS!!! PERHAPS YOU'LL REALIZE WHAT IT MEANS TO BE MALTESE ONCE AGAIN - TO BE CHARITABLE, HOSPITABLE, AND COMPASSIONATE. BUT YOU ARE SHOWING THE WORSE TRAITS A PERSON CAN HAVE. RACISM, XENOPHOBIA AND HATRED. SO MUCH FOR BOASTING RE BEING ROMAN CATHOLICS.

Charles Sammut

Dec 19th 2009, 16:40

@ J Mifsud

Less than 50% of Maltese are practising Catholics/Christians. More and more people are seeing this religion for what it is, an anti-nature religion. A lot of its views go against realities of life and sure as day follow night, Malta like the rest of Europe will reject it and it will only survive in small pockets of insulated ignorance.

So please desist once and for all time from pulling out the religion card, it as about as effective as the race card.

John carmel Navarro

Dec 19th 2009, 16:22

I just cannot understand the mentality of these people protesting, what are they expecting to be done? Just let all illegal immigrants out of the detention centres to roam freely amongst us, somewhere along the line the one of the most important casing points which these so called do-gooders are overlooking or failing to understand if the fact that no person of whatever colour or creed can just enter illegally another Country. Those organizations or societies who seem to be so concerned maybe ought to be made to take a reality check as to what is happening to our small island. By their irresponsible actions they are in the process of igniting a time bomb.

Mario Attard

Dec 19th 2009, 16:06

First of all, personally, Graffitti and the JRS, do not impress me at all. They are wrong to present all illegal immigrants as the same. No, they are not. The majority of these are illegal economic migrants. They should not be here in the first place!

Secondly, I would like to ask those commentators who judge other Christians. Whoever said that to be a good Christian, one has to be an idiot? I am a Christian and understand that Malta should do its part to help genuine refugees. We should take a responsible, realistic number of these but not countless numbers of illegal economic migrants.

Joe Morana

Dec 19th 2009, 16:06

It is the right of the People of Malta (Government) to detain any person who breaches the security of the country. As far as not being 'criminals' the very act of having resorted to paying human traffickers is a crime in itself. Furthermore, I do not subscribe to the idea of 'they did wish to be here in the first place'! That myth was debunked a long time ago. Illegal immigrants and those who send them here know full well what the 'Grand Plan' is. The Maltese authorities need to aknowledge (and perhaps they do) that they are dealing with a well-organised and well-funded chain of human traffickers and their willing participants. That 'chain' stretches all the way from sub-Sahara through North Africa, Malta, and all African enclaves located as far north as the nether regions of Europe. As far as coming from war-torn and unstable countries, let us not forget that it has always been "survival of the fittest"; meaning the ones that make it here may have raped, pillaged, and murdered their way and we have only their word that they are 'victims'. Detain and Deport! The UNHCR should set up screening at source!

C.Testa

Dec 19th 2009, 15:40

Watching the programme ''Passport Control' set in Australia I admire the way any person (be s/he white, black or any other colour) entering without a visa or relevant documents is sent back on the first flight out to where s/he came from..........

Chris Mifsud

Dec 19th 2009, 14:46

Entering a country with NO VISA, NO PASSPORT, NO MONEY to support yourself IS a criminal offence and for the security of this small island I completely agree with detaining these individuals.

If they don't like our detention policy then they are free to go back to where they came from. I for one and I am sure I speak for the majority of the population, will NOT miss them one bit.

Frans H Said

Dec 19th 2009, 14:44

@Chris fenech
Then the mistake is that they are not charged with breaking an entry into a country without possessing a passport and enrty visa. Suppose I enter your house without being invited? They should be kept detained and serve as a warning to others. Do you know that there are more vthan a million of these in Libya? Where shall we put them?

I used to work in Libya and I never saw any of these people being maltreated. They carried out menial jobs because they did not have any experience, They wanted to earn money to pay for their trip to Europe.

They should make sure their mother country becomes democratic and not escape like rats leaving a sinking ship. They should learn how to live properly and till the land. Lack of rain is no excuse. The Jews are turning the desert into fertile land. Even the Libyans are cultivating the desert.

Therefore they should say "mea culpa".

J. Mifsud

Dec 19th 2009, 14:41

@ TO all those who are always queueing to receive the Holy Host

As Roman Catholics, enough of your disparaging words!!!!

When you have a look at one of these illegal immigrants, just imagine that any of them might be the Lord in disguise.

None of the volunteers have to take any illegal immigrants home to prove their point, as we Christians should not mind that part of our taxes together with financial help by the EU (which I'm afraid is not so forthcoming) go to offer adequate accomodation to these miserable and unfortunate individuals.

Come on fellows........some Christmas spirit please!!!!!!

Andrea Portelli

Dec 19th 2009, 14:22

Typical Left-Wing Anarchist rubbish talk with the intention to stir panic in society... taking this proposal as the prime example.

Illegal Immigrants > Illegal > Hence a Crime > Therefore Criminals > Detention Justified

that's how the world is Andre Callus... deal with it.

fbonello

Dec 19th 2009, 14:19

Why do not these volonteers go to the country of origin of these illegals and protest there with their government to give their citizens a better living? Perhaps they are afraid that they will go to prison for protesting!!!!

laurence schembri

Dec 19th 2009, 14:11

@ Mr. Giovanni Demartino
You never fail to amaze me. Do I a smell a hint of racism? You of all people a Christian Democrat.

Erin Ciantar

Dec 19th 2009, 14:09

@ Alfred Baldacchino

What a fantastic statement to make. So which of these countries is better off than Malta? Chad? Eritrea? Somalia? Liberia?

And seriously. How ignorant do you have to be to think that immigrants would leave a country that is better off, to come and live in a detention centre in Malta or any other European country for that matter??

You can live in denial if you want to feel better about yourself for not wanting to help them. Believe, if it makes you feel better, that they are coming from a better off country than Malta. But to actually state in public says loads about you.

P. Pace

Dec 19th 2009, 13:59

I am full of compassion for irregular immigrants but law breakers need to be punished. The protesting NGOs should inform us how other countries treat people who are caught entering the country illegally and without documents.

Do they offer better conditions? Giving details will help us accept or condemn Malta's detention centres, without the need for these NGOs to make 'xenati'.

Saviour A Ellul-Bonici

Dec 19th 2009, 13:55

Do these clowns have the necessary permits to perform this kind of buffoonery? If not ,it is the duty of the police to take immediate action.

Dennis Zammit

Dec 19th 2009, 13:53

Anyone breaking the country's laws is a criminal. That is a fact.

Another fact is that these are illegal immigrants. So they broke the immigration law. So they are criminals.

With the money they spend on the trip from Libya to Malta, they could apply for an official permit from the Maltese Embassy and travel to Malta in Business Class onboard the best airplane.

With regards the protest, isn't Valletta Gate already an eyesore? Where are all the Govt authorities? Do they have a permit to place signs etc?

Mur ara if someone else tried to do they same!!!

Kenneth Galea

Dec 19th 2009, 13:53

I appeal to the authorities to remove this ridicilous eye sore immediatedly from city gate. Retailers are craving for business over the last weekend in the run up to Christmas. The volunteers can set up their tents in Libya and these 'illegals' can go back where they came from if they don't like the conditions. It just goes to show that conditions in Libya are better and these illegals have NO right to be on the island.

Charles Sammut

Dec 19th 2009, 13:51

".........the migrants did not wish to come here in the first place."

In this case, Graffitti and JRS are barking up the wrong tree.

Go protest in Brussels to get the Dublin II regulation rescinded. It is this regulation which is preventing these illegal immigrants from continuing with their journey to El Dorado. It is because of Dublin II that any illegal immigrant who first landed in Malta and eventually makes it to mainland Europe is returned to us.

It is not true that detention centres are crowded. There are only few left there, the rest have all been let loose. Detention can never be abolished. We cannot have unknown and undocumented people arrive in Malta and allowed to freely roam the streets. Moreover, there are far too many of these illegals now and a line must be drawn, whatever that takes. It is OUR human rights that are at stake now. We have a right to live in security in our country.

Chris Fenech

Dec 19th 2009, 13:35

@ M Muscat

They have a permit to do this symbolic activity.

Robert Callus

Dec 19th 2009, 13:12

@Alfred Fenech
It seems that you don't really understand the law. A person with no charge can only be detained for 48 hours. Few if any of these people are charged, yet they are detained to 18 months, for adminstrative purposes. If a criminal, even a rapist or a murderer is arrested at say, Saturday morning, the Court will open with urgency even on Sunday so that he can be charged. Such saveguards are necessary for keeping a democracy, something which I hold at heart.

@Anthony Roberts

"The fact that we are thought to be looking at them as criminals in turn makes them look at us as unchristian and not caring but we do care"

The fact that you care doesn't mean that everyone does. Read some other comments here, even from someone who pretends to be a fanatic Christian on other occasions

Alfred Baldacchino

Dec 19th 2009, 13:09

Most of the countries these immigrants come from are far more well-off
than tiny Malta. The immigrants should go back and 'insist' for their rights
with their governments.

Brian Borg

Dec 19th 2009, 13:09

18 months in detention, should be considered as a ‘probation period’ before these migrants, are left roaming the streets. During this period the authorities will assess their health, behaviour etc, therefore it is indispensible. Secondly it may be used as a deterrent for others; I wonder how many dream to enter North Korea illegally. As the conditions the live in it’s up to them, during revolts they are the ones who break, burn and destroy whatever they find.

Anthony Weitz

Dec 19th 2009, 13:08

I for one, am amazed at the patience and compromise of the Maltese people. This island is 27 x 14 kilometres. With 400'000 inhabitants, this is surely one of the highest-density populations in the world. Combined with that, the average income of the Maltese is one of the lowest in western Europe. Do you really expect that the Maltese are going to open their arms and welcome immigrants who are looking for state-assistance to house and feed them here? Wake up, you have potential civil unrest on your hands!

victor pulis

Dec 19th 2009, 13:04

Perhaps the word criminals is a bit too harsh but they are certainly illegal which means they are here against the law. Andre' Callus suggested they they be placed in 'contolled' open centres where there would be no need for securty he said. He also said that these illegal migrants have no interest to flee the country because migrants in open centres would be provided with identification. Why can't this be done in detention centres? Can't the migrants give their particulars as soon as they arrive? Is Mr. callus suggesting that every illegal Tom dick and Muhammed who comes to Malta should be free to roam around the island with no identification?

M.Azzopardi

Dec 19th 2009, 13:04

Graffiti are just the joke of the year! The majority of the population is fed up with immigrants and doesn't care much...so you are just wasting your time!

Edwin Mifsud

Dec 19th 2009, 12:51

"Immigrats have no intention of escaping"

@ Mr. Callus

Did you every buy a newspaper?

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090616/local/immigrants-escape

http://www.vivamalta.org/forum/archive/index.php/t-4896.html

http://www.bongumalta.com/safi-detention/1

and more..

What alternative are you suggesting? Close the centre and then what??

Joe Borg Chetcuti

Dec 19th 2009, 12:51

@GiovDeMartino - naqbel mieghek 100%, imma hadt ma jehodhom. Paroli ghandna kieku !!!!

M Muscat

Dec 19th 2009, 12:40

I thought it was illegal to put up a tent and sleep on it on public land! How come they are getting away with it?

Anthony Roberts

Dec 19th 2009, 12:40

I for one to do not see the immigrants as criminals, but if they are coming in such large numbers where are they going to live, who is going to take care of them. Surely the fact that they could be sent straight back to their own countries would solve the problem. We know that they are looking for a better life, but we can only do so much and take so many. The fact that we are thought to be looking at them as criminals in turn makes them look at us as unchristian and not caring but we do care, its just that this tiny island cannot cope with such in influx of people from outside.

Alfred Fenech

Dec 19th 2009, 12:36

What's the matter with these people. Is that they do not understand the law. Not maltese law but international law. You arrive in any country without a passport with no money to look after yourself and without the necessary visa you are breaking the law. This makes you a criminal!!!

GiovDeMartino

Dec 19th 2009, 12:36

Min jaf kieku kull wiehed minn dawk il-voluntiera jiehu xi tnejn id-dar?

James A. Tyrrell

Dec 19th 2009, 12:35

These people were smuggled into the country illegally which means they are illegal immigrants, which means they are committing a criminal offence. According to these NGOs these people are not criminals. How do you know, as without identification you have no way of checking?

I do however agree that detention is a problem. These people should not be detained at the expense of the Maltese people. They should be taken back to where they came from.

Eric Soames

Dec 19th 2009, 12:31

' .. that it instilled in the Maltese a perception that the migrants were criminals'.
Am I missing something here? Isn't it a crime to enter a country without papers? How about participating in a 'conspiracy' to enter a country without permission?