Court sends message to migrants using false documents to escape

Sean Grima

Apr 15th 2010, 11:25

yes, missionary work is something noble and which i hope to do. however, that does not detract from our obligations in terms of maltese and international law.

likewise the fact that it is our country and not theirs makes no difference in terms of law. and i can assure you i know more about that than louise and lawrence.

in addition, the fact that they had been living in Libya for up to 10 years does not justify the assumption that they were under no threat to their life in Libya. that is a matter which the Refugees Appeals Board Report decides after hearing the individual merits of the case, not by people on a blog!

Michael Neville Cassar

Apr 14th 2010, 21:10

@Sean Grima Well said I encourage you to go on a mission to these people country and give a helping hand in their country development .

Sean Grima

Apr 14th 2010, 15:39

@louise - what qualification entitles you to say that nigerians and malians do not qualify as refugees? cases are assessed on an individual basis, not by such sweeping statements.

we do not help immigrants because we get something out of them, but because they need help, and we are obliged to do so according to Maltese and international law.

Trevor Lorenzo Mizzi

Apr 14th 2010, 14:58

Kudos to the magistrate, by making escaping from Alcatraz Malta a very serious crime that is heavily punished, this is sending a signal to the would be future illegals in Libya to avoid Malta at all costs in their invasion journey sea voyage.

JOe VELLa

Apr 14th 2010, 14:55

Can someone wiser explain WHY! Because I am lost.
If birds passing by the island or on the island heading north cannot be stopped on their way to Europe, having harsh penalties imposed on the whole community if we do not abide to their dictatum, of our dear Big Brothers from up north.
Why emigrants who unfortunately find themselves here will end in jail when like the birds they want to go north.

Louise Vella

Apr 14th 2010, 14:54

Nationals of Nigeria and Mali have no right to refugee or even subsidiary status. As the government knows where they come from, it should take immediate steps to send them back to their own country, even before they serve their sentence. Otherwise they will be enjoying free board and lodging at our prison at the expense of Maltese taxpayers.

More generally, these illegal immigrants are dragging Malta into illegality. They leave Libya illegally, they travel illegally, they arrive in Malta illegally, they leave illegally and they cause problems to Malta in its relations with other coutries. What is Malta getting from these illegal immigrants?

Sean Grima

Apr 14th 2010, 11:16

mhux hekk, we send someone an extra 2 months in prison to give a sign to others! i hope this judgement is appealed!