Claudia Calleja
Migrants plead 'life of poverty' if returned
The most common grounds given for appealing a denial of refugee status was that the immigrants' home country only offered them a life of poverty.
None of the 486 cases decided by the Refugee Appeals Board last year was deemed to qualify for refugee status, which is granted if there is fear of persecution in their home country.
Figures issued by the appeals board showed that almost 25 per cent of immigrants who appealed the refusal of the Refugee Commission did so for economic reasons. Some 18 per cent claimed country instability, 16 per cent mentioned family problems and 14 per cent religious and tribal tensions.
Although none of the appellants was granted refugee status on appeal, two cases involving Eritreans were sent back to the commission and the men were granted subsidiary protection. This meant they were allowed to stay in Malta for fear they may be harmed if repatriated.
Recent figures issued by the commission showed that just 232 out of 10,629 applicants were eligible for refugee status between 2002 and 2009. Another 5,677 were granted subsidiary and 17 temporary humanitarian protection while 251 withdrew their application, bringing the number of rejections to 4,452.
According to the statistics released by the appeals board, 825 people filed a notice of appeal last year and most were in the process of being legally assisted.
The vast majority, 717, were men and 97 were women and 13 children. Over 85 per cent of the immigrants were aged between 18 and 35.
Almost 30 per cent of applicants were Nigerian followed by Malians and Somalis. Despite the 21 nationalities listed in the figures, almost 99 per cent of them came to Malta via Libya, although most would have first transited or stayed in countries other than their own before getting there.
As for religion, 60 per cent were Muslims and 36 per cent Catholic. Educationally, 39 per cent never attended school, 31 per cent frequented primary school and 27 per cent had secondary school or high school qualifications.
Figures issued by the commission earlier this month showed that 1,475 migrants landed on Malta's shores, in 17 boats, last year. The number of women was on the increase with 219 making it to Malta, even though they were still heavily outnumbered by men. There were also 101 children who made the treacherous journey across the sea. Another 19 children were born in Malta.
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sean grima
Mar 16th 2010, 11:53
@louise vella: everyone has the right to be assisted by a lawyer - we do not budget on human rights. your knowledge of nigeria is superficial: the fact that it is rich in oil does not mean that the proceeds are pocketed by the vast majority of people. it is also a countyr torn by violence, and dominated by the northern muslims. you are advocating discrimination on the basis of religion and lack of education, concepts which are looked at with disdain in the modern world.
@P Pulis: no immigrant qualifies for such a grant - that is blatant untruth.
John Azzopardi
Mar 16th 2010, 05:47
If "some" maltese think they are going to resolve African poverty by allowing thousands to come to Malta they are living in a dream worked. If the same Maltese think that Europe should take this illegal immigrants, they are fooling themselves. If the same Maltese think that the US will take the majority of these illegal immigrants, they are foolling themselves as well. As we have seen, the US has only taken less than 500 such migrants in a 5 year period. So, Malta, how do you propose to deal with this influx of illegal, mainly male migrants.
Louise Vella
Mar 15th 2010, 18:49
"According to the statistics released by the appeals board, 825 people filed a notice of appeal last year and most were in the process of being legally assisted." Legally assisted! Who pays for legal aid? The Maltese taxpayer. In the meantime judges and the public grumble about the long waiting lists in the courts.
P.Pulis
Mar 15th 2010, 17:26
An immgrant comes to Malta pleading poverty and persecution in his country. He qualifies for a grant (LM5000) so that he returnsto his country and open a business Suddenly the fear of poverty and pesecution disappear, only to re-emerge once more when it is time to expand the business. Once more it time for a trip to Malta.
Louise Vella
Mar 15th 2010, 16:11
Unfortunately, at least half the world's population of some 6 or 7 billion lives in poverty. Is that an argument for them to come over to Europe to bring down our standard of living and bring us closer to poverty? Poverty in Africa and Asia needs to be remedied by development not migration. How many Africans can Malta pull out of poverty without undermining the standard of living of the Maltese? 10 000? 100 000? One million? Charity begins at home and too much charity may impoverish the charitable.
Louise Vella
Mar 15th 2010, 14:44
"The vast majority, 717, were men and 97 were women ... Over 85 per cent of the immigrants were aged between 18 and 35."
A vast majority of single young men. No wonder you have many incidents (some reported in the court pages of newspapers) of illegal immigrants harassing young Maltese women.
"Almost 30 per cent of applicants were Nigerian".
Nigeria is a vast country rich in all kinds of resources, including oil. It is corrupt and misgoverned but that is not a reason why its inhabitants should come to Malta and ask for refugee status.
"almost 99 per cent of them came to Malta via Libya".
Italian ambassador Trabalza recently reminded us that Libya is a member of the United Nations and has been democratically elected to be president of the Human Rights Commission. So what is the problem with these illegal immigrants staying in Libya?
"As for religion, 60 per cent were Muslims"
That makes for trouble in coming years, as we see in italy, Britain, France etc.
"Educationally, 39 per cent never attended school"
What a richness illegal immigration brings to our country!
lgalea
Mar 15th 2010, 10:46
poverty is no excuse to enter into a country illegally and does not qualify for asylum or humanitarian protection. After all, they were working and most og them had stayed for up to 10 years in Libya as all reports by the Refugee Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Board show. They are simply putting a great burden on Maltese society which we shouldn't and couldn't bear. Send them all back to their own countries.