Kristina Chetcuti
'I kept thinking of my child'
'Please God, we'll be a family once more'
The woman in the photograph by Darrin Zammit Lupi accompaning this feature is not one of the two that were interviewed.
It is hard to stamp out the images of heavily pregnant asylum seekers reaching Malta on rickety boats or shut out the stories of babies born at sea because the mother did not reach safe shores in time. Kristina Chetcuti traces the journey of two women who live with the psychological wounds of the costly trauma.
Hema*, 23, from Somalia, Muslim
Hema waded urgently, mid-waist, in the dark sea off the coast of Tripoli. Two men reached out and roughly flung her into the bottom of a boat already dunk in a mixture of sea water and fuel. She spent the next five days lying there, with her hand on her tummy. She was two-and-a-half months pregnant.
"It was the only way I felt I could protect my unborn child," she recalls.
She was taken for dead; none of the other people on the boat with her thought she'd make it.
Talking about the boat journey for Hema is a nightmare she barely wants to relive. She left her home country, Somalia, early last year. She belongs to Rer Hamar, a very small minority group: "We are the lowest of the lowest of minority groups, so we were totally powerless in Somalia's state of civil war. We were constantly under pressure to leave. I couldn't go outside. I would either have been raped or kidnapped."
Hema married her childhood sweetheart and neighbour just before they left Somalia with a friend of her husband's. They used their life savings to travel to the border of Ethiopia and from there - on foot for three days and three nights - reached the border of Sudan. There they were caught by the Sudanese police, who recognised their plea and held them in the border town of Girba until they were issued with the necessary paperwork to facilitate their movement.
Luck was not on their side. The roof of the host family's house they were staying at caved in on their first night there.
"My husband's friend - only 23 years old - died beneath the rubble. We had to bury him and continue our journey," she says, her voice barely audible, betraying the anguish of that night.
They reached the Libyan border after more than a week of constant walking. There was no time for respite. Together with other Somali refugees, they were arrested and taken to a detention centre in Ganfuda, Benghazi. The director there immediately made the undocumented migrants aware they would only be released upon receipt of $1,000.
"He slammed down a phone in front of us, telling us to call relatives to send the money. We didn't know anyone with that kind of money," she says.
"It was a prison. We were 80 women sleeping on cartons in a four-by-three-metre room. We were all malnourished and suffering from scabies. For the men it was worse. They had to sleep on their sides. There was no space for them to lie on their backs."
They were locked in for eight months and only released when the director realised no money could be made from the couple.
They eventually reached Tripoli where her husband, a qualified electrician and student engineer, worked as a porter and waiter for about two months. All the while they kept a low profile and Hema would not even go to the doctor to treat her scabies for fear of being found out. They found a "business dealer" who was coordinating a boat leaving for the Italian coastline. He asked for $900 per traveller.
"We only had money for one fare," she says, adding it was then she discovered she was two months pregnant.
"My husband urged me to go, saying he would reach me later when he would have saved enough money for his fare. At that point it was a choice between two evils. If I stayed, I was risking imprisonment. I thought perhaps it was better for me, and for my child's future, to face the sea."
Two nights before she was meant to leave, in November, their apartment was raided and her husband was arrested.
"That's the last time I saw my husband. I don't know how they didn't take me as well. I think it's because they saw how sick I was," she says, crying quietly.
She managed to keep the plan and joined another 68 people (of whom 13 were women) on a nine-by-four-metre boat. She did not say she was pregnant at any point.
"But, in any case, there is no time for the smugglers to choose the people for the trip. On the whole, they prefer men; they are afraid women might disrupt the plans by being too slow to catch up or not able to carry the provisions."
They were on that boat, with no crew or people with seafaring experience, for five days and five nights.
"It was cold. Everybody was afraid. After some time people started suffering from hallucinations. Our skin was peeling away with the fuel and seawater. I was very sick... I kept thinking of my child."
Her voice trails off. She does not give more details about the journey. When asked if the women were vulnerable to rape, she is categorical in her reply: "No. Not in the least. Everybody is too scared. Everybody is thinking about surviving. There is no place for these things."
They were eventually rescued by a Russian ship.
"There was a rush to go aboard. A young man fell and drowned. I saw him fall by my side," she says, pressing her palms to her eyes and falling silent.
When she reached Malta she was admitted to hospital and given 70 bottles of intravenous fluids to fight her severe dehydration. She remained in hospital for the next six months until her daughter was born in April.
Although she has been given subsidiary protection, her future is dark. She is still clearly in a state of shock. At 23, she had no idea her life would turn out like this. She has never been able to contact her husband and she believes he is still imprisoned in Libya.
"He has not even seen a picture of his daughter," she said.
Interpreter Adul Kadir, assistant social worker and a cultural advisor at the Marsa open centre, facilitated the interview.
Lemtem*, 36, from Eritrea, Christian
Lemtem watched horrified and helpless as a breastfeeding mother went down to the bottom of the dark sea, her month-old baby with her. Hours later, she would watch another body being washed away by the cold Mediterranean sea - her husband's.
Lemtem is brief in her explanation as to why they left their country in 2006: "My husband was in the Eritrean military service. He had no choice - he had to leave. As his wife, if I stayed on, I would have been imprisoned."
She left her eight-year old daughter with close relatives. "I couldn't possibly take my daughter with me. How could I if I didn't know my destination? I did not want to risk her life." It was a painful decision but, at least, she was certain her daughter was still too young to be held accountable for her parent's sudden disappearance.
Lemtem and her husband travelled on foot from Eritrea to Sudan and from there they crossed the desert and walked for days on end till they reached Libya.
"We stayed in Tripoli for 10 months as we had to wait for the right weather conditions to travel by boat. My husband worked to support our day-to-day living but we had already saved the money for the boat fares: $1,200 each," she says.
One night, in August 2007, they made it to a beach out of sight of the authorities. They were given drums of fuel, fresh water and food, which they had to carry to the boat.
"The boat was not docked but was anchored far out, so we had to wade to get to it. There were 27 of us crowded in a tiny boat that was not more than two metres long. How many women? Just six. Smugglers are not too keen on taking women," she adds.
The boat was so low in the water they had to bail from the shore. They left on Tuesday night and by Thursday afternoon the boat had sunk. "We had life jackets but we were in the freezing water through all of Thursday night right till Friday afternoon," she said.
There weren't even bits of the wooden carcass of the boat to cling to. It was just them and the open sea. "Over the hours people kept slipping into the water. The sense of hopelessness was overwhelming. People were just opening their life jackets and letting go. It was terrible. Terrible."
They were picked up by a passing trade ship on Friday afternoon. By then 15 people had died, including her husband. He never got to know he was to be a father again. At that point she had no clue either. It was only in hospital in Malta that she was told she was one month pregnant.
How did she take the news that she was carrying the baby of her dead husband?
Her animated voice abruptly falls silent, for a long time. She ignores the interpreter and looks straight into my eyes. "Bakat," she says softly, "Bakat," she repeats, this time silent tears trailing her cheeks. The interpreter translates: "I cried."
Lemtem keeps looking at me and in her eyes there is something bigger than pain. "God is almighty," she says eventually. "I thank God for all the strength he gives me."
Would she have got on the boat if she had known she was pregnant?
"If I had known I would have taken the trip with a big boat and not a small one," she replies.
But why would a woman opt for such an arduous journey at such a vulnerable stage?
"You have to understand that once you are in Tripoli there is no choice."
Did they have equipment to call for help?
She flares up in anger and talks animatedly to the interpreter: "Yes, we had a phone. We asked for help on our second day of the journey. A rescue plane came over three times, hovering above us, taking pictures but that was it. No one would have died if, instead of taking pictures, they came to our rescue. I am so angry about this. My husband would still be alive."
Lentem now lives in a private apartment in Valletta with her 18-month-old son. She bakes engera, bread typical of Eritrea, and sells it to a restaurant in Marsa.
She will soon be leaving Malta for the US as she has been granted full refugee status and has been admitted for relocation. Once there, she wants to make a plea for family reunification and bring her daughter over.
"Please God, we'll be a family once more."
Habtom, who has lived in Malta for three years, facilitated the interview.
* Names have been changed to protect the persons' identity.
Dispelling the myths
Myth 1: Pregnant migrant women are taken up on the boat purposely so as to ensure quicker rescue.
False. Smugglers do not have the time to choose the people who go on the boat.
Myth 2: Children of migrants born in Malta attain Maltese citizenship.
False. Children born to migrants take on the exact legal status as their parents. For example, a baby born to a mother with subsidiary protection will have her same status.
Myth 3: Migrants are the source of several new diseases on the island.
False. On the contrary, the migratory process, such as crowded living conditions and poverty, can expose migrants to ill health. This myth simply serves to increase xenophobia and, ironically, increase vulnerability.
Myth 4: Migrants are taking the jobs of Maltese people.
False. Migrants are usually relegated to the bottom of the job ladder, taking jobs others do not want and are the first to be made redundant in a crisis. On the contrary, more control is needed to ensure migrants are not exploited through low wages.
Myth 5: All migrants are Muslim.
False. Africa, just like Europe, is a diverse continent. Of course, there are migrants who are Muslims but others belong to a variety of religions, including different Christian denominations, such as Anglicans and Roman Catholics.
Myth 6: Migrants in Malta do not need to work as they are heavily subsidised by the Maltese government
False. Just like the rest of us, migrants have to work to survive and feed their families. Migrants also need to work in a regular manner where their rights, and the rights of other workers, are protected. Indeed, many migrants are working in Malta and therefore contributing to the tax and welfare system.
Myth 7: All migrants arriving and living in Malta are illegal.
False. There is no such thing as an "illegal" person. Arrival in Malta without the appropriate papers is a violation of the Immigration Act and not a criminal act. Once they apply for asylum, they are effectively regularising their legal status. The majority of asylum seekers in Malta receive some sort of protection.
Myth 8: All migrants have a low level of education.
False. The migrants arriving in Malta from sub-Saharan Africa are diverse. Several come with a tertiary level of education and are doctors, economists or even IT specialists.
Others would have had to disrupt their education as a result of the push factors forcing them to migrate.
This information was supplied by Maria Pisani, coord-inator at the Malta office of the International Organisation for Migration.
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sean grima
Feb 2nd 2010, 18:17
as usual, the comments by anti-immigrants are full of prejudiced, pre-conceived notions and sweeping statements.
Joe Xuereb
Jan 5th 2010, 12:26
2) The panel included the BNP (the rightwing British Nation Party). As I left the building, scores of policemen and women. What a waste of valuable resource in crime-ridden London I thought.
Thank you Ms McConigle for the link. I live this sickening scenario every single day.
Correction. This last debate was held at Conway Hall (see link). Such debates are all over the place at the moment and it is difficult for an old-timer to keep a mental track of what happened when and where. I guess somebody has to give a damn.
http://www.conwayhall.org.uk/
Joe Xuereb
Jan 5th 2010, 12:05
1) I recently went to a debate at a London University College, the Imperial, between an Islamist and a Secular. The Islamist said, among other things, that it is right for women to be veiled as this keeps the men's animal urges in check.
Two days later, at the end of another debate at another college, I cornered him and asked, what about western women? Would you veil them? No, he said, but they are a problem for us. So what is your solution as hot-bloodied males? I asked him. We get married, he answered. Of course anyonAe who gets married to calm their urges is in deep trouble. But these people are in indoctrinated to think whatever suits their agenda. And the women look very tired between pregnancies.
Days later I attended another debate at Birkbeck college and this same young Islamist started to talk. After a couple of minutes I draw attention to myself by wending my way out of my row of seats. I felt physically sick and could not stand his presence. Besides, the convenor of the debate was an English convert to Islam. Go figure!
McConigle, thanks for link. I live this every day.
continued
Isobel Mcgonigle
Jan 4th 2010, 15:35
@
J.Camilleri
Please read the link below,maybe this will answer your question,Why do they keep having babies?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1054909/Have-babies-Muslims-UK-hate-fanatic-says-warning-comes-9-11-UK.html
Joe Xuereb
Jan 4th 2010, 13:07
@ J. Camilleri, please note. Years ago I read that the poor, the dispossessed, give themselves a 'strong' identity by doing what comes naturally and costs nothing. They have babies. These they see as invest,ment. Girl babies are seen as a liability - dowry, not finding a suitor (hence the practice of enforced arranged marriages) and are therefore treated as second-rate, unwanted, and in some instances, even killed (happens in India). In the current situation, I note - I live in London - when I get on a bus and I cannot move for prams and a gaggle of 'somali or whatever' kids and a sibling on the way. I have no way of knowing whether their background is poor or affluent. But this disturbing scenario is now a familiar pattern. With the yet againt pregnant woman, veiled, but face showing, very fecund but worn-out looking, very YOUNG and the man alongside her, no doubt her husband (what else?)if he's present, looking very smug and pleased with himself for a job/jobs well-done. Keep them coming man!
All those practising their Christian values will have a lot to answer for some time in the future. Watch this space.
J.Camilleri
Jan 4th 2010, 11:27
Why they keep on making babies if they are so poor??? What makes them think that having about a dozen of kids (if not more) will make their life easier. It will only lead to miserable on themselves and burden on others. Biased or not it works in certain eastern countries ... no more then one kid if they wish so. It's so unfair and unfortunate on these kids they have to suffer in such a way because their parents dont know any better. Lack of education and discipline only leads to chaos and poverty.
Christine Bright
Jan 3rd 2010, 18:01
The stories are compelling and one of my first thoughts is saying how lucky I am not having to endure such hard situations so young. Yet, the other thoughts that come to my mind do raise a few questions which probably will remain unanswered. Immigrants do not bring illnesses? Hema declared that the 80 women she was with had scabies which is a highly contagious disease. Hema and her husband were locked up for 8 months, but why is it that when in Malta, immigrants come in the open centres with food, beds and shelter they rebel? Worst, Italian tv show Le iene comes over to tell us how to treat them? They should go to Libya! Oh I forgot Italy and Libya are very good friends and much bigger than Malta... It is commendable for people who want to save lives and the preservation of life is important, but I think that Malta should ask for a particular protection status due to its small size. Apart from busting myths, can we also be provided with facts such as how much does an immigrant cost the Maltese population?
Charles Sammut
Jan 3rd 2010, 10:21
"This information was supplied by Maria Pisani, coordinator at the Malta office of the International Organisation for Migration."
Interestingly, Libya is a member of this phantom organisation. So is Somalia http://www.iom.int/jahia/Jahia/member-states
Strangely enough, the Holy See (Vatican) only has observer status, a case of do what I preach not what I practise. http://www.iom.int/jahia/Jahia/partnerships/governments/observer-states
The International Organisation for Migration has been an abject failure and this is how it is trying to cover up its incompetence, with GonziPn using the same tactics.
Charles Sammut
Jan 3rd 2010, 09:59
Fact 1: Women know that if they are pregnant they will escape detention, they learn this and other loopholes through the Jesuit Refugee Service "Guide Book to Asylum Seekers" http://www.jrsmalta.org/Guide_Book_EN.pdf
So do not try to mislead, it is the women who choose to get pregnant not the smugglers. Your statement is an insult to your readers' intelligence.
Fact 2: It will only be a matter of time before these illegal immigrants and their offspring are granted citizenship. Look at other EU countries.
Fact 3: over 50% of HIV/AIDS in Malta is among illegal immigrants. I suppose they got it from Maltese infected persons. What about TB and Hepatitis, scabies and other tropical diseases. Our doctors had never encountered some of the diseases these people carry and had to get special training. Your statement is dishonest, you are simply parrotting MSF.
Fact 4 With 7000+ unemployed, mostly unskilled workers, whose jobs are these immigrants taking? They are provided with accomodation, free W&E, food, medicines, internet, phones and so on and therefore compete unfairly for jobs with Maltese who do not get such perks.
Isobel Mcgonigle
Jan 3rd 2010, 05:01
@
J.J.Borg
One of the usual suspects,just trying to convince you do gooders,what all the fuss is about,with people like you,the Islamification of Europe is a probability,not a possibility
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNKZJ8HdEsY
michael scicluna
Jan 3rd 2010, 02:04
@ adriano spiteri
WELL SAID.TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU. WHAT GROUP ARE YOU IN?
Antoine Vella
Jan 3rd 2010, 00:34
Many of the comments on this page are a brutal reality check after the elation of L-Istrina.
Joe Xuereb
Jan 2nd 2010, 22:43
Beware the individual, either here as a commentator or employee of an NGO, who tricks you into a feeling of guilt by reminding yo of what the 'good' book says. Do not fall for it. If a boat - metaphor for Malta - is overloaded, it sinks. If indigenous Maltese become sick under stress. Nothing in the bible will miraculously ward off these problems at a stroke. And prayers won't work either. Believe if you must. Pray too if you think it helps. But I would not hold out much hope. Allowing yourself to be ransomed and you'll end up being just that - ransomed.
If this situation is not contained and at least seen for what it is, there will come a time when Malta and its people (and possibly even further afield) will be just a footnote in some book. And even this will eventually disappear. Like Malta and the Maltese never existed. Worse than Atlantis. And this sanctioned by a holy book. Written by fishermen two thousand years ago. U halluna minnkom!!
But do-gooders have their soul to save and are easily moved to tears (very unprofessional) to move
others, garner support and please the Almighty. Wow!!
J. J. Borg
Jan 2nd 2010, 20:55
Joseph Cauchi: you're absolutely right. How dare The Times publish stories that promote tolerance toward other human beings?
Alexander Morana
Jan 2nd 2010, 20:53
It is a myth that the Maltese, who express their discontent against the NGOs and so called refugees, are all racists.
Not a myth Maria Pisani, the majority of the Maltese do not want these people regardless of their status, religion and education.
Not myths the NGOs receive thousands of Euros each year from all the taxpayers who are against non European refugees.
Not a myth that boat loads of this human cargo can be turned back where they came from. Ask Franco Maroni.
Muscat D
Jan 2nd 2010, 20:37
Here are just some of today's headlines.
Somali immigrant tries to kill danish cartoonist.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/denmark/6924522/Somali-axeman-who-tried-to-murder-Danish-cartoonist-linked-to-al-Qaeda.html
Outrage as Islamic extremists vow to march through streets of Wootton Bassett
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1240044/Outrage-Islamic-extremists-vow-march-streets-Wootton-Bassett.html
Accept immigration and in 20 years we too can enjoy the benefits of a multicultural society. Dogooders take note. Do you want your country to end up like this? Do you not feel the slightest twinge of sympathy towards your fellow Maltese?
When you pray for rain make sure you are prepared to deal with the mud.
Eric Soames
Jan 2nd 2010, 20:23
J. J. Borg: No reason to get personal, one can and should, comment freely without being subjected to the personal opinion of an opposing view holder.
Joseph Cauchi
Jan 2nd 2010, 20:14
If there is no agenda by certain sections of the Maltese community to have our island inundated with illegal immigrants, then I do not know what is!
Why is it that The Times is the first to give such prominence to certain written articles that promote the acceptance of illegal immigrants to our country?
Why are such articles always so melodramatic in order to influence the readers and touch on sensitive chords on issues of the heart?
We all have hearts, but we also have minds.
And at this time in Malta’s history, one is wise to use one’s mind!
JC.
Eric Soames
Jan 2nd 2010, 19:02
Do I hear violins in the background? The Times seems to have a penchant for this kind of melodrama. Thank you Louise Vella for your extensive riposte, and lgalea who I generally agree with on this topic, for saying what needs to be said.
Adriano Spiteri
Jan 2nd 2010, 18:27
PART ONE
Fact 1: Women that are not pregnant do their best to get pregnant here
Fact 2: Maltese are not willing to integrate with these people. They came here illegally in the first place: thus are criminals who knowingly and willingly breached our laws
Fact 3: Migrants from Africa are indeed responsible for 50% of the HIV cases DIRECTLY. Other maladies like TB... Speak to an I.T.U nurse and confirm
Fact 4: Illegal immigrants are being exploited. They are taking jobs and how!
Fact 5: Religion is a personal opinion which has nothing to do. The only problem is hardcore Islamists which put the other fellow Muslims in a bad light. So many Somalis are Islamic fighters. What matters is that they come from a very different culture and will never integrate into our own society but form sub-societies. Proven elsewhere. London, Paris...you name it. They could have been Satanists or whatever: we simply accepted whoever broke the law
Adriano Spiteri
Jan 2nd 2010, 18:27
PART TWO
Fact 6: Myth number 4 and 6 are contradictory. The Government is irresponsible. Illegal immigrants should be sent back rather than given work permits
Fact 7: The Maltese in general should at the end of the day decide whether to accept criminals or not. The majority of Maltese are not willing to play the saviour. Priests should have nothing to do with refugee permits
Fact 8: Certain parts of Africa definitely needs brains to improve. So we need to send those with a higher IQ immediately. The last thing we want is deprive them of brains.
Fact 9: The Times is truly doing a good job in voicing the opinion of our minority groups!
Fact 10: GonziPN will suffer the most humiliating defeat in the next general election. Deservedly so
J. J. Borg
Jan 2nd 2010, 18:21
Louise Vella: the only thing Berlusconi has done is blow hot air - which is pretty much what you have been doing all along. Sometimes I think that you must sit by your computer all day waiting to comment on these stories. Pretty sad.
J. J. Borg
Jan 2nd 2010, 17:55
Ah, the usual suspects - McGonicle, Galea, Vella and Seychell - are back on line in the new year, spouting their nonsense and claiming to be the "tip of the iceberg" of anti-immigrant sentiment. Welcome back.
Isobel Mcgonigle
Jan 2nd 2010, 17:35
This is the thanks you get,for giving these people a home,food,medical care ,money.etc
Louise Vella,Igalea,100%endorse everything you say
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-494441/Illegal-immigrant-demands-flown-home-Britons-rude-unfriendly.html
C.ZARB
Jan 2nd 2010, 17:22
Continued
The truth is that Malta is small and lack the space/resources to integrate more immigrants, yet we are expected to shut up just because many Maltese are 'Christians'. If Libya is treating immigrants so badly then what is Europe waiting to lay some serious sanctions on it? What is Europe waiting to set up an immigration office to co-ordinate immigration from there rather then forcing immigrants to travel through dangerous waters? What is Europe doing to solve this problem once and for all? It seems that the EU's Christianity (and all groups that may feed from it) starts and ends up on someone else shores.
Not to forget that we tend to believe every immigrant's testimony as it comes directly from god. Mind you, I do believe that there are decent immigrants out there but there are also others (like any other group) who wouldn't mind lying just to reach their ends. Let us not forget that we are talking here about the same people who hid home made weapons to use against our soldiers. They (like every body else) are far from saints
P Debono
Jan 2nd 2010, 17:21
Funny how she says the Rer Hamar are the "lowest of the lowest of minority groups". They are not. They are actually quite privileged, especially compared to other minorities.
"The minorities fall into three main distinct groups. There are the more privileged
Rer Hamar (Coastal communities, merchants mostly) who are of foreign origin. There are the extremely poor Bantu (Jarir) who are mostly landless farm-workers, mostly of East African slave origin, though some equally may originate from pre-nomadic indigenous peoples. And there are the most discriminated artisan “outcaste” groups performing “pariah”
occupations, at a societal level comparable in many ways to the Dalits of India, who have no
foreign origin."
Source: http://apci.homeoffice.gov.uk/PDF/APCI_2_1_annex.pdf
So that dispels one of the many "myths" which "Hema" herself has spouted....
C.ZARB
Jan 2nd 2010, 17:02
And the worse has yet to come. Once they come to Malta they are exposed to meals without enough sauce or with white potatoes! Kif tista ma icempilx?
How many of these 'Christians' have immigrants in their home? Or do they expect US (the taxpayers) to pay for their 'Christian' obligation? Mind you I don't expect certain people not to be biased about this issue. I mean, I would do the same if my job depended on this phenomenon.
michael seychell
Jan 2nd 2010, 16:38
@ ALL - I empathise and pity the immigrants and I thank GOD that albeit we are facing serious problems like unemployment, we do not have the dire need to run away to any other country to survive.
As for those who do not have any feelings for the immigrants except total contempt, I pity them and pray that none none of them will ever be forced to emulate the immigrants.
michael seychell
Tal-Pieta
Malcolm Borg
Jan 2nd 2010, 16:19
@I Galea:
Your Christianity betrays you. You know a Christian should go out of his way to help the unfortunate but because of your petty discrimination you try to justify your comments. This is the only opportunity we have to show our Christianity ...but noo...we want a piece of wood hung on our walls to show our religion. How pathetic! Remember Mr.Galea, as a Christian you should know...that you will be judged...and you cannot escape that...perhaps then you'd prefer being an immigrant and come back to Earth!
And with regards to the 'sob stories' as louise vella puts it...you should instead say that these are 'stories that make me uncomfortable because I know they're true but I prefer to overlook them and emphasize all the legal, economical and demographic problems Malta have and because of which we cannot accept any more immigrants.'
louise vella
Jan 2nd 2010, 16:14
Maria Pisani writes: “Migrants are usually relegated to the bottom of the job ladder, taking jobs others do not want …
Unemployment in Malta is 7000+. Many Maltese unemployed would be glad to take a job occupied (often illegally) by an illegal immigrant.
Again she writes “… more control is needed to ensure migrants are not exploited through low wages.”
By accepting low wages (often below the minimum wage because they are undeclared and pay no taxes and no NI) illegal immigrants undercut the wages and standards of Maltese workers and cause unfair competition.
Maria Pisani writes: “many migrants are working in Malta and therefore contributing to the tax and welfare system.”
How many illegal immigrants does she know who contribute to the tax and welfare system?
She also writes: “The migrants arriving in Malta from sub-Saharan Africa are diverse. Several come with a tertiary level of education and are doctors, economists or even IT specialists.”
How many doctors, economists and IT specialists does Ms Pisani know among the boat people? If they are doctors, economists and IT specialists, what makes her say they are relegated to the bottom of the job ladder?
louise vella
Jan 2nd 2010, 16:06
Just a list of some of the special effects in this article:
“the boat journey for Hema is a nightmare”;
“on foot for three days and three nights”;
“her voice barely audible, betraying the anguish of that night”;
“we were all malnourished and suffering from scabies”;
“It was cold. Everybody was afraid. After some time people started suffering from hallucinations. Our skin was peeling away with the fuel and seawater. I was very sick... I kept thinking of my child."
“Lemtem watched horrified and helpless as a breastfeeding mother went down to the bottom of the dark sea, her month-old baby with her. Hours later, she would watch another body being washed away by the cold Mediterranean sea - her husband's.”
“Her animated voice abruptly falls silent, for a long time. She ignores the interpreter and looks straight into my eyes. "Bakat," she says softly, "Bakat," she repeats, this time silent tears trailing her cheeks. The interpreter translates: "I cried."
louise vella
Jan 2nd 2010, 15:48
"Arrival in Malta without the appropriate papers is a violation of the Immigration Act and not a criminal act."
By violating the Immigration Act, arrival without appropriate papers is illegal (but not criminal). If I park my car where it is prohibited by law, that's illegal parking though not criminal. Illegal immigrants are illegal because they come in without papers, documents, belongings etc. They may also be called unwanted immigrants because they are not wanted by the vast majority of the common people of these islands. If anyone has any doubts, let's call for a referendum.
louise vella
Jan 2nd 2010, 15:36
This is another in the series of sob stories about illegal immigrants coming by boat from Libya, now mercifully stopped by Berlusconi's policy of policing the waters between Italy and Libya. Even if the stories are true, the author has not tackled the key problem. How many of these illegal immigrants (even supposing they are all deserving of help) should Malta take? 10 000? 100 000? One million? Ten millions? According to the BBC country profiles, Somalia has a population of 9 million, Eritrea 5 million, Sudan 42 million and Ethiopia 85 million. All of them are vastly bigger than Malta. Africa as a whole has a total population of one billion (1000 x 1000 000). There must be a limit to the numbers that Malta, Italy and the rest of Europe can take.
R Curmi
Jan 2nd 2010, 14:35
As pitiful as their stories can be and as merciful maltese are they are still and ever will be a problem for us all.
Maria pisani, graffiti, jesuits and so on always fail to mention the arrogance some of these people act with, the harassement our women receive at their hands, the fear they inspire when in groups, the crimes they commit at our expense, the fact that most of them get drunk and are always asking for trouble, the cultural difference between us and them which often clashes and the list goes on and on.
So each time i feel bad for them after these stories, after I have wiped away my tears, I just think about their ungrateful attitude towards their host and yes pretty much I stop feeling sorry for them catholic or not
Antoine Vella
Jan 2nd 2010, 14:24
It takes a special kind of inhumanity to read these experiences and not feel the slightest twinge of sympathy.
A. E. Abela
Jan 2nd 2010, 13:56
It is very sad and annoying to hear these horrible stories full of abuse and disrespect towards human life coming out not only from Africa but in many out parts of the world, and it is everyone’s moral obligation to offer help if and where it is possible and I am more than sure that all Maltese will be glad to help everyone in need. Taking in a few or more of these unfortunate people is definitely not the right way to help, moreover I believe that instead we are indirectly supporting the corrupt governance that is causing all this grief and hardship. Who is still supplying weapons to these warlords? Why are many countries still involved in business and trade with these barbarians? Why haven’t the rest of the civilized world boycotted these criminals and issued sanctions? What is the EU, the USA and the United Nations waiting for to send a real peace keeping army and set things right? We all know these answers and the bottom line is money, the currency of the devil, you have to grab the bull by the horns and not the tail.
Joanne Micallef
Jan 2nd 2010, 13:39
Well said Muscat D. Plus one can easily read about the negative repercussions of uncontrolled illegal migration within Europe, and these are countries far larger than our tiny rock.
David Buttigieg
Jan 2nd 2010, 12:43
@IGalea,
Christ's teachings have everything to do with it! Religion and/or morality is not a badge one wears when it suits us.
Since you are so adamant about the crucifix, despite ignoring why Christ died for us, remember his words - "what you do to the least of my brethren you do unto to me"!
Joseph Cauchi
Jan 2nd 2010, 12:06
Considering Malta’s size, is it fair for our island to be inundated with these illegal immigrants, when these influxes are creating a lot of hardships to the locals?
Where do the costs of keeping these illegal immigrants come from, if not from the taxes collected by each and every Maltese taxpayer?
Let’s be fair, and care firstly for our country and its citizens!
After all, charity begins at home!
JC.
victor pulis
Jan 2nd 2010, 11:53
myth9:
All United Nations members must abide by the UN's resolutions regarding Human rights.
False. Libya seems to be an exception since, according to these women it can flout the law with impunity.
Muscat D
Jan 2nd 2010, 11:44
Maria Pisani for completeness, should have given us more details regarding the myths.
Myth 3: Migrants are the source of several new diseases on the island.
In 2008, according to the health director general, 5 of the 6 new cases were immigrants from sub sahara. The diseaes is not new but the bulk of cases arrive from there.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091201/local/one-new-case-of-aids-11-of-hiv-this-year
It is to be noted that immigrants are only tested when they develop signs of the sickness. The figure would be higher if they were tested on arrival. Together with AIDS, TB must be included , this has now made a comeback in Malta.
Myth 5: All migrants are Muslim.
According to the refugee commission about 70% are.
Myth 8: All migrants have a low level of education.
Again according to the Refugee Commission and an article published in the Times some time ago, 30% did not have any formal education and 40 had Primary education.
Although the statements may not be incorrect as such, relying on them would give a very false picture of what is really happening.
Mario De Bono
Jan 2nd 2010, 11:40
IGalea, you have every right to voice your opinion, but please, you may try and fool us, but not the God you profess to believe in. Do you call yourself a christian? Do you think the Catholic religion is something you can pick or choose from at whim? Do you actually believe in God's good charity? These people deserve it more than most, because they dont just lay down and die in their country from hunger and disease, they try and make it somewhere else. They have a will to live and survive, something that you and me never had to experience. Honestly, you are typical of many Maltese..... Is this what you listen to in Church ? No. Is this what you read in the bible ? No. You know very well what Christ teaches Mankind. And its not consonant with your views. Please, stop regaling us with your views. They do you more harm than good, believe me. I rather suspect that you are a Governmnet employee. If you are you are wasting our resources and our time.
A Zammit
Jan 2nd 2010, 11:30
Re: Myth 3: Migrants are the source of several new diseases on the island.
Perhaps they are not a source of NEW diseases per se, but they are definitely, for example, increasing Malta's percentage of HIV carriers. This is especially so since the majority come from sub-Saharan states, where the estimated HIV infection rates go up to c.26.1%. Although not promoting xenophobia, it is quite unfair to misinform the public as such.
Personally, I would rather see raw local statistics than generalising comments. For example, how many of the immigrants arriving in Malta these past few years actually received any education? How many of these were graduates? etc...
lgalea
Jan 2nd 2010, 11:19
Jane Camilleri
The vast majority of Maltese citizens as evidenced by online polls are of the same opinion as mine.
David Buttigieg
Religion has got nothing to do with an illegal immigrants invasion which we have every right to repel in the interests of our own country and children.
David Buttigieg
Jan 2nd 2010, 10:56
@IGalea
Aren't you are one of those who insist on the crucifix? Why? From your comments you are evidently not a follower of Christ's teachings!
Jane Camilleri
Jan 2nd 2010, 10:52
Thanks for this article. It's good to hear "their" side of the story. After all, we ARE living in a civilised society!
@ Igalea: Please speak for yourself and use "I" rather than "we"! You've got a right to air your opinion, but not to speak on my behalf.
lgalea
Jan 2nd 2010, 10:34
"The boat was not docked but was anchored far out, so we had to wade to get to it. There were 27 of us crowded in a tiny boat that was not more than two metres long..."
Who does she think she can fool? Does she think that we are all idiots?
Is this supposed to raise pity for the ILLEGAL immigrants?
No way Maria Pisani.
You can forget it.
We do not want our country to be taken over by illegal immigrants.
You and other do-gooders just go with them back to their own countries and help them there.
You are unwanted and unwelcome as are the illegal immigrants.