Kurt Sansone
UN agency questions 'voluntary' transfer
UNHCR concerned about migrants sent to Libya
Migrants rescued at sea and transferred to a Libyan coastguard vessel in a joint operation with the Armed Forces of Malta over the weekend could have been misled and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees doubts whether they had actually volunteered to do so.
The 27 immigrants transferred to the Libyan ship formed part of a group of 55 Somalis, who were on board a dinghy that was sinking on Saturday. The other 28 migrants, including a pregnant woman and a child, were transferred to the AFM patrol boat during a rescue operation, arriving in Malta on Sunday.
Migrant sources said that on board the Libyan vessel there were Italian-speaking people, and that could have possibly misled the immigrants to believe they could be heading for Italy if they boarded.
In a statement after the incident, the AFM gave no details on how the group of migrants was divided but the matter raised eyebrows among humanitarian organisations because Libya is not a signatory to the Geneva Convention that safeguards the rights of asylum seekers.
The government yesterday insisted the migrants who embarked on the Libyan vessel did so "voluntarily". It denied there was any change in policy when asked whether Malta was now actively pushing back migrants, similar to the controversial policy adopted by Italy.
"The priority of any search and rescue operation carried out on the high seas is to safeguard the life and well-being of people in distress by bringing them to a safe port in an effective manner without incurring loss of life. This principle was followed in the latest operation and any SAR operation carried out by the AFM," a government spokesman said.
The UNHCR called into question the army's claim that migrants volunteered to be transferred onto the Libyan vessel.
"To UNHCR, it seems highly unlikely that people who have taken great risks to leave would choose to board a ship if they were aware that it would be returning them to Libya," a spokesman said, insisting the organisation was concerned about the fate of the individuals who were returned to Libya.
The UNHCR was expelled from Libya last month without explanation.
"The Maltese authorities responded appropriately to the needs of some of the people on the boat by bringing them to safety in Malta where their individual claims can be assessed. The UNHCR has visited the newly-arrived Somalis who appear to be in reasonably good condition after the strenuous journey," the spokesman added.
The UNHCR appealed to all states involved to continue ensuring people rescued at sea who may be in need of international protection would obtain access to safe territory and asylum procedures.
Italy and Libya signed an agreement last year to jointly patrol Libya's coastal waters and immediately repatriate rescued migrants.
The agreement stemmed the flow of migrants but has been heavily criticised by human rights groups on grounds that asylum seekers are not given the opportunity to have their claims assessed properly.
The government spokesman yesterday said the Libyans' participation in Saturday's SAR mission was "a direct result of the Italo-Libyan agreement and the working relations that Malta has built with both countries".
The group of 28 migrants brought to Malta over the weekend was the first such arrival in almost a year. The rescue operation happened some 44 nautical miles to the south east of Malta.
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Maria Azzopardi
Jul 23rd 2010, 00:12
How many of you actually spent time with refugees in and out of the centres? Your words make me ashamed of my country...
Andrew Farrugia
Jul 22nd 2010, 13:05
@ Sean Grima
Unlike you, i am not used to hedging, fudging and twisting. The FACTS regarding the UN aid for food programme with Saddam Hussein during Kofi Annan's term as secretary-general of the UN are well documented, and the role of Dr Annan's son in these corrupt practices likewise. So let's have less of your lip.
Sean Grima
Jul 23rd 2010, 09:55
"well-alleged" but not well-documented. even if it were so, it does not mean that the UN is corrupt.!
Sean Grima
Jul 22nd 2010, 10:56
it is always the usual people - anti-EU isolationists - who attack immigrants: people seeking to leave a life of desperation. it is a shameful attempt to attack weak people, and internationally established organisations seeking to improve the life of these people.
J Brincat
Jul 22nd 2010, 08:35
Perhaps the UN High Comm. for Refugees would consider housing them in their quarters!
Presently we have enough problems on our hands and we cannot afford to increase same.
Sean Grima
Jul 22nd 2010, 12:17
ah really, we have to contend with civil war, famine, drought, disease, malnutrition, poverty....
I M Dingli
Jul 21st 2010, 18:28
@ Maria Azzopardi
Have you ever been to Libya? Do you base your facts on Google search by any chance?
I've been ample times to Libya and for the past 10 years have never seen anyone getting this inhumane treatment which you are ranting about. Libya’s infrastructure has improved so much in the last 5 years or so (especially since the embargo was lifted) that in a few years time it will be like Dubai. Go over and check for yourself. I’m talking through experience now and not just articles on Google.
If you insist on doubting about these facts than I can Google search and come up with a few articles of my choice!!
Sean Grima
Jul 22nd 2010, 08:16
i have been to libya and know it is nothing like the economic paradise you seem to imply it is, and no dictatorship is known for upholding human rights.
Maria Azzopardi
Jul 21st 2010, 17:03
P.Pulis
How are the refugees in Malta making us give less to our families or neglect other Maltese? No one has to choose between the refugees and Maltese, we are all brothers and sisters
In this case we have persons of concern that need our help, and I choose to help
Denis Catania
Jul 21st 2010, 16:33
They are lucky they were saved. These people don't appreciate anything.
Sean Grima
Jul 22nd 2010, 12:16
it is you who do not appreciate how lucky we are not to have had to endure what these people have gone through.
Andrew Farrugia
Jul 21st 2010, 16:30
Once again, i am breaking my silence in order to correct certain statements made by Sean Grima and Maria Azzopardi which are patently untrue:
a. these two contributors state that Libya does not respect human rights; how come that Libya was given the CHAIR of the HUman Rights Committee at the UN for the years 2000-2002?;
b. these two contributors wax lyrical about the credibility of the UN; how about them explaining the corrupt practices of the UN in the food for aid programme with Saddam Hussein (Iraq) under the UN regime of Kofi Annan?; what is the credibility of the UN when this august organisation is spectactularly unable to guarantee women's rights (as stipulated in the various UN declarations) in many countries which form part of the UN?
Please, please try to tell the truth rather than use spin, deceit, and lies.
Sean Grima
Jul 22nd 2010, 08:19
1. perhaps you can back up your statement of "corrupt practices" with fact.
2. the UN does not have jurisdiction in any country - it relies on the goodwill of the governments to implement its resolutions.
P.Pulis
Jul 21st 2010, 16:04
@ Maria Azzopardi, Sean Grima, Godfrey Camillari
Accassionally we see letters or articles about the preoccupations of parents of persons with certain disabilities. Their main concern is what will happen after they pass away.
I follow these articles and give my contribution, yet strangely enough I never see any comments from you or the likes of you in favour of our MALTESE brothers and sisters.
I never here you quoting the UN charter about the rights of these persons, yet you seem so well informed about the rights of non-Maltese
Charity begins at home and please don't tell me that its a different issue.
fbonello
Jul 21st 2010, 21:04
@ P. Pulis
Very well said. Totally agree with you
Sean Grima
Jul 22nd 2010, 08:20
yes it is a different although equally imporant issue. i have never said that migrants should be protected at the expense of disabled people: both groups are equally important.
E. Azzopardi
Jul 21st 2010, 15:00
To the UNHCR I say: Talk comes very cheap, does it?'
Malta needs you to take concrete action and not utter just cheap talk.
Maria Azzopardi
Jul 21st 2010, 15:27
exactly, Malta need to provide better living conditions and proper asylum procedures in order to help people in need of asylum.
lgalea
Jul 22nd 2010, 07:55
Maria Azzopard Charity begins at home Maria, so we first have to provide for Maltese citizens living in dangerous and condemned buildings, those who are not making ends meet, the pensioners, children who do not have money to pay for their exams, etc etc
Sean Grima
Jul 22nd 2010, 12:15
helping one group does not need to be at the expense of another.
Tonio Azzopardi
Jul 21st 2010, 14:36
(Part ii) The international community should do a lot more to assist and beef up the African Union forces that are trying to control Mogadishu and free a part of Somalia.
The Somali conflict has now spread over its flimsy borders, and with the latest suicide bombings, sponsored by al-Shabab in Uganda, the international community should be vigilant and start seriously acting. It will not be long before Somalia is turned into another Afghanistan.
I repeat an earlier comment that I wrote within a related blog entry that the Maltese Government should seriously step up its efforts to identify illegal migrants from such a country as in the circumstances; accepting unidentified people may pose a serious threat to Malta’s and EU’s security
Sean Grima
Jul 21st 2010, 15:50
i agree that more international pressure should be brought to bear on somalia to resolve its internal issues. however, this does not mean that we should refuse asylum seekers: as if a terrorist will come seeking asylum!
Maria Azzopardi
Jul 21st 2010, 16:09
Tonio, do you think that members of the Al-Shabab would want to escape from their homeland and travel across the continent of Africa, risking their lives for a life without fear and persecution? To me it seems absurd, but if you have proof of this, please enlighten me
S.KOLUDROVIC
Jul 21st 2010, 17:30
@ Maria Azzopardi
You must be living a very sheltered life. All you have to do is google Little Mogadishu/Stockholm
and you will read what the Swedes are enduring with their crop of Somalis.
The Swedish police have already found out that Al/Shabab are present in the Somali community and are enticing some to join their terrorist group.
Toinio Azzopardi
Jul 21st 2010, 18:49
@Maria, Of course I don't expect al-Shabab to leave 'their' country!
They'r the comfortable warlords of the day!
They (the sick leaders that is and their internal circle) didn't leave Somalia to explode the suicide bombs in Kampala...they brain washed one of their members of course to do this..with a promise of a one way straight ticket to heaven!
I am sure that al-Shabab will not leave..thy’r busy stoning and amputating and destroying TVs!
In the meantime 'their' compatriot COWARDS Flee!
Is there any pride in this nation (Somalia)? is there any sense of country?
lgalea
Jul 22nd 2010, 07:53
Maria Azzopardi, have you never heard of sleeping or sleeper cells? Here are a few links to help you understand what they are.
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-sleeper-cell.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clandestine_cell_system
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/al-qaida-sleeper-cells.htm
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/sleeper+cell
http://www.seaburn.com/sleeping_cells_terrorists_among.htm
http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/jul/09glasgow9.htm
http://www.indiadaily.com/editorial/3501.asp
http://alqaedanews.blogspot.com/
Sean Grima
Jul 22nd 2010, 08:22
according to this wise guy, we should throw the baby out with the bath water: accept no migrants, because of the possibility that some might eventually be enticed by some terrorist organisation. !
Tonio Azzopardi
Jul 21st 2010, 14:35
(Part i) Instead of fleeing and trying to enter a country illegally, these young and fit Somali men should stop playing victims and act like real men who love and are ready to fight for their freedom and their country’s freedom.
They should cross over to their next door neighbour Uganda, and join their brave brothers who are being trained by foreign military advisers and Uganda to fight al-Shabab for stability and freedom of their country. History has showed us that ‘Freedom’ does not come without sacrifices, heavy sometimes. By escaping from your problems, you are not solving these.
It is understandable that you flee your troubled country to seek temporary shelter. However this should only be a temporary solution, and once you regain your strength, regroup your country men, and then return and reclaim back the freedom that has been stolen from you! It is a grave sin to escape, and be cowards leaving your brethren fight to their deaths alone! History is riddled with such accounts, of people who temporary flee their country, regroup and with the help of another country or the international community regain part or of their country’s freedom....cont
Sean Grima
Jul 21st 2010, 15:49
they are lucky they came to malta, since they now can benefit from your wisdom and leadership. in fact, you should hop over to the detention centre, in the hope of inspiring them!
D.Bonello
Jul 21st 2010, 13:57
Can UNHCR shut up and let us decide whats best for our country? We are being told what to do all the time in everything. Maltese people are fed up to their noses being treated this way. Our forefathers fought for our freedom and won the wars for us to be indipendent. When we joined the EU we lost everything again to the foreigners, who instead taking Malta by war, they won Malta on the table with pen &paper. Myself and my family really regret voting yes to join the EU. If a referendum had to take place to be released out from the EU, i will be very happy to vote yes again. We were very much better before we were fed all these lies about how good was EU. For sure Thousands of maltese regret voting YES for EU. What lies in the future for the maltese people, ( i.e. if there will be any left ) only god knows.
Sean Grima
Jul 21st 2010, 15:51
you seem to fail to distinguish between the UN and the EU. and no, the UN should not shut up, because its purpose is precisely that of not letting governments do 'what they want' in their territory, as this attitude has led to the abuse of human rights time and time again.
Louise Vella
Jul 21st 2010, 13:17
If readers want to trace UNHCR's longstanding campaign against Malta, they should start by reading the report by retired judge Franco Depasquale on the riots in Hal Safi in 2005 (I think). A UNHCR official is mentioned by name (Michele Manca de Nissa) as is his role in those happenings. The rioting illegal immigrants were calling for him - Manca! Manca! - because he happened to be in Malta at the time.
Then go to the frequent outbursts by Laura Boldrini of UNHCR Rome who is described in the Italian press as "un esponente di Rifondazione communista". Another UNHCR guy by the name of Paolo Arditi also came more than once and tried to interfere with Malta's policy of defending itself from the influx of illegal immigrants. And there is no need to mention Neil Falzon who mercifully no longer works for UNHCR.
Neil Falzon
Jul 21st 2010, 15:02
Ms. Vella,
Once again you stoop to cowardly remarks against persons without ever directly facing them for a constructive debate. I see you quote the Italian press again Ms. Boldrini, yet of course your quotation selection is totally arbitrary and premeditated rendering it futile and ineffective.
Kindly limit your comments to facts, and not personal accusations. For example, you rightly say that Malta's obligation is to rescue persons and save lives. However, once again arbitrarily, you omit to mention that another of Malta's obligations is to admit asylum-seekers to its asylum procedure. This is a fact, not my opinion and not the opinion of UNHCR, the UN or the EU.
Sean Grima
Jul 21st 2010, 15:53
in the Louis Vella v UNHCR there is no doubt as to who has more credibility!
JOHN Azzopardi
Jul 21st 2010, 19:52
Get real. This is Malta, 122 sq miles with almost half a million people. Can we afford more among us.
Sean Grima
Jul 22nd 2010, 08:25
ah, so you would rather let them live in miserable conditions!
Stephen Koludrovic
Jul 21st 2010, 12:25
Now what is wrong with living in Libya, they have the same religion, same culture, same food and certainly more fredom of movment than they would get over here.
Lets face it, when they land over here they are stuck, since they cannot travel to anywhere else,which if I recall is what they all wish to do.
Sean Grima
Jul 21st 2010, 12:39
no, they do not necessarily share the same religion, and culture and food are different: although food is usually good in any country :)!
Maria Azzopardi
Jul 21st 2010, 12:43
"Until last week, international reports spoke of brutality and inhumane treatment of migrants that were returned to Libya from Italy. Humanitarian organisations denounced the appalling conditions the migrants are kept in. Underground cells, dirty, no food, water, and repeated beatings by the detention guards, while women are subjected to rape".
Go to one of the open centre's in Malta and talk to one of the residents, ask them what life was like for them in Libya. Whether Muslim or non-Muslim, human rights in Libya barely exists.
lgalea
Jul 21st 2010, 12:58
Maria Azzopardi why don't the humanitarian organizations who issued the reports take them to their own countries and keep them in 5* hotels?
Stephanie Mamo Portelli
Jul 21st 2010, 12:59
Seriously?? Why are you assuming they have the same religion, culture and food?? Africa is such a diverse continent!!
and even if they had all these, they wouldn't be enough without humanitarian treatment. I'd rather live in a strange country where nobody speaks my language or eats my food but treats me with dignity and respect (rather than the other way round)...
Lawrence Martinelli
Jul 21st 2010, 13:12
All of you excuse my "bubbling in " ....forget pro or against bubbles.....
Signor Frattolini once said....Malta should be turned into the EU concentration camp.
Bubbling away....EU needs cheap labor.....poor sods.....and so on it's like trying to
punch a hole in the sea.
Does Malta need them ? People were paid to leave Malta to allievate overcrowding.
The UE - UN - and other "consortiums" should be told....we rescue them for YOU.
Come and GET them.....stop crying crocodile tears....show how humane YOU ARE.
fbonello
Jul 21st 2010, 13:41
@ Sean Grima
@ Godfrey Camilleri
Then these ILLEGALS should have stayed in their country and not burden us!!
joe gatt
Jul 21st 2010, 14:07
The UNHCR protects vulnerable people, not the interests of individual nations. moreover, it is in the interest of all the world that vulnerable people are protected and their life improved.
Cannot agree with you more here. Are you refering to the Maltese??
Seriously, then it is in the world`s interest to share the burden, is`nt it??
May I ask??
Do you do this out of the goodness of the heart??
Do you get paid for this??
Stephen Koludrovic
Jul 21st 2010, 14:21
@ Maria Azzopardi
Please stop believing everything you hear from them, you know very well that they will lie just to get some sort of advantage. The sadder the story the more sympathy they will get.
At one time I was in Libya, and I can assure you that no one was ever put into any prison for no reason.
Maria Azzopardi
Jul 21st 2010, 15:22
it is a fact that Libya is in breach of human rights when it comes to asylum procedures and the stories from people who experienced it just confirm the truth. Get onto google and look up Libya with reference to human rights issues, its right there in your face, you just choose to look the other way and stick to your fictional beliefs
Sean Grima
Jul 21st 2010, 15:59
yes i do it out of the goodness of my heart and do not get paid. and I am not scared by the hysterical attacks and people repeating ILLEGAL in capitals, because asylum seekers are protected here by law, and are therefore here LEGALLY.
Anyone stating that Maltese are vulnerable people needing protection is verging on the ridicluous, as is stating that all asylum seekers are liars.
Godfrey Camilleri
Jul 21st 2010, 11:53
To send immigrants back is utterly inhuman. We are becoming as callous as the Italians and the Libyans.
John Azzopardi
Jul 21st 2010, 12:24
So mr camilleri, you are suggesting we take all that attempt to come to our shores. If so, what are we suppose to do with them. Maybe, you can put some of them up for the next 25-50 years. Seriously. Get real.
Sean Grima
Jul 21st 2010, 12:40
yes, considering the minimal amounts who come here.
lgalea
Jul 21st 2010, 12:57
These are your minimal amounts sean. Official UNHCR figure of 5,955 refugees and 1,828 Asylum seekers as of January 2010, a total of 7783 who came here illegally. Go check it sean on http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/page?page=49e48eba6
Stephen Koludrovic
Jul 21st 2010, 13:17
For such a small island I would not consider approx 13,000 in a 5 year stretch a minimal amount.
which incidentally is the approx population of Sliema,St.Julians,Gzira and probably some more left over to cover parts of Msida.
fbonello
Jul 21st 2010, 13:39
@ Sean Grima
@ Godfrey Camilleri
Our island is so small that we cannot afford to take more ILLEGALS. Perhaps both of you would like to keep some of them with you and contribute for all their expenses and show that you are truly christians!
Maria Azzopardi
Jul 21st 2010, 15:33
Fbonello
Go tell the Maltese who own construction companies that we do not need them here, i am sure they will beg to differ since they exploit the refugees on a daily basis. Give me facts on how the refugees are threatening the Maltese population, it will serve as a better argument...
Sean Grima
Jul 21st 2010, 16:02
the numbers mentioned by lgalea are the totals who have arrived in malta over the years, not those presently living here.
fbonello
Jul 21st 2010, 21:01
@ Maria Azzopardi
So you are happy that these ILLEGALS are being "used" by the construction companies instead of maltese workers, and therefore taking our countrymen their jobs!
lgalea
Jul 22nd 2010, 07:56
Sean Grima No sean they are the amount of persons living here. People go to the link and see for yourself http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/page?page=49e48eba6 It is the official UNHCR webpage. Go have a look and see who's telling the truth.
In the window "Browse by country" top right hand side open window and click on Malta. You have it black on white at the bottom of the table that the figures are "AS AT JANUARY 2010".
On the Table near refugees you have note 2 and note 3 near asylum seekers. Click on Notes to see what they mean.
2. Persons recognized as refugees under the 1951 UN Convention/1967 Protocol, the 1969 OAU Convention, in accordance with the UNHCR Statute, persons granted a complementary form of protection and those granted temporary protection. It also includes persons in a refugee-like situation whose status has not yet been verified.
3. Persons whose application for asylum or refugee status is pending at any stage in the procedure.
People go see for yourselves.
Sean Grima
Jul 22nd 2010, 08:24
if they are better than maltese, so be it.
Mark Galea
Jul 21st 2010, 11:47
My friends, most of your words will fall on deaf ears for the following reasons:
1) EU wants (and needs) immigrants for current / future exploitation of cheap labour and sustainability of future pensions.
2) The anti EU lobby does not exist in Malta - in fact PN is pro EU and PL is even more in favour of EU.
3) Fewer immigrants are coming over and people are not interested as long as there are not hundreds crossing over. See the recent blogs - except the usual few, only a few new names appear.
Sean Grima
Jul 21st 2010, 12:06
all unfounded allegations.
Colette Berman
Jul 21st 2010, 12:52
Sean, the reality is that Europe is rapidly ageing and needs (not wants) new migrants for sustainability. It is for this sole reason that Turkey who has a young population is being considered for membership of the EU. The current pension and welfare systems are unsustainable without new contributors, and foreigners are more willing, or desperate enough, to undertake the (grotty) jobs that Europeans don't want.
fbonello
Jul 21st 2010, 13:33
@ Sean Grima
Could you give us some facts?
Louis Gialanze
Jul 21st 2010, 13:34
Spot on Mark. As a matter of fact a former PN administration took on a baggage by stealth on opening the floodgates of immigration way back in 2002.
Sean Grima
Jul 21st 2010, 15:56
it is the people who are making allegations who need to prove them.
N. Bonello
Jul 21st 2010, 16:18
@Colette Berman
Yes, taking the grotty jobs and being employed illegally without paying any Taxes etc. Then when they get to know the ropes demand to get everything from the state for free - infinite unemployment benifits and all that go with it.
We may need SOME workers of certain and particular skills at some point in time. My suggestion is to give regularised temporary work permits for what is needed of say 3/4 years then a new batch come in. This way we get the skills that we need, when we need them. They will pay taxes etc. and not be a burden. A win-win situation - they gain and we gain. Not as we have at the moment a free for all.
Sean Grima
Jul 22nd 2010, 08:23
if migrants are not paying taxes, it is because their income does not exceed the taxable threshold: same rules as for maltese. what you are proposing amounts to exploitation.
Louise Vella
Jul 21st 2010, 11:03
UNHCR has been militating against Malta's interests for the last six or seven years. UNHCR has been trying to promote illegal immigration from Libya to Europe. Malta's responsibility is to rescue people from drowning and save lives. Malta has no obligation to take one million or five million Somalis just because they don't want to stay in Libya.
Sean Grima
Jul 21st 2010, 12:07
The UNHCR protects vulnerable people, not the interests of individual nations. moreover, it is in the interest of all the world that vulnerable people are protected and their life improved.
Maria Azzopardi
Jul 21st 2010, 12:28
"militating against Malta's interests" what exactly do you mean by that? Do you think that Malta is not interested in saving the lives of people? In that case Louise I think you should take ownership for the things you say, words like 'I think" and stop using the word Malta, its degrading.
lgalea
Jul 21st 2010, 13:01
You are perfectly correct
UNHCR gave us ZERO funds for refugees in 2010 and ZERO funds projected for 2011. We gave it US$20,342 in 2010 and US$71,429 in 2009. We have 5,955 refugees and 1,828 Asylum seekers as of January 2010. A total of 7783 who came here ILLEGALLY. See this data on http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/page?page=49e48eba6
Maria Azzopardi
Jul 21st 2010, 15:26
UNHCR does not provide funding, its the responsibility of the government to do that and other EU institutions and private doners. The responsibilities of UNHCR can be found on this website, get your information straight before you throw out unfounded information: http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/home
Sean Grima
Jul 21st 2010, 15:54
and rightly did so, because we are part of the world, and should share in helping to make the world a better place, not act like misers.
James Borg
Jul 21st 2010, 10:57
WHO ON EARTH CARES WHAT THE UN/UNHCR SAYS?
IF THEY ARE SO CONCERNED, then they should keep them at their offices in NY or Geneva, ...or of course split them up between all member states (but that's never going to happen). UNTIL THAT HAPPENS, THE UN SHOULD KEEP ITS BIG MOUTH TIGHTLY SHUT.
Sean Grima
Jul 21st 2010, 12:08
many more people care about what the UNHCR says than what James Borg or others say.
Maria Azzopardi
Jul 21st 2010, 12:49
the UN is the large international organization in the world. When people flee their war torn countries looking for a safe place to live without the threat of fear.. Do you really think that your voice is going to stop the UN from intervening to ensure that the refugee's rights are being met?
lgalea
Jul 21st 2010, 13:02
Maria Azzopardi then it should take them to its NY or Geneva offices and keep them there.
fbonello
Jul 21st 2010, 13:32
@ Sean Grima
Why does not the government hold a referendum on the subject of ILLEGAL immigration and then you will hear the silent majority speaking?
@ Maria Azzopardi
Are these ILLEGALS all coming from war torn countries?
Maria Azzopardi
Jul 21st 2010, 15:42
lgalea
It is countries that make up the UN, Malta is part of the UN so we must live up to our responsibilities.
fbonello
The ones from Somalia are coming from war torn countries, the ones from Sudan are coming from war torn countries. The Eritreans are coming from a country with severe human rights breaches and a militant government. The other nationalities that enter Malta illegally have their status determined by the Maltese government.
It is the Maltese government who takes care of the asylum procedure and I think that a distinction needs to be made between those who are given refugee/subsidiary status and those who status is rejected.
UNHCR being a refugee organization deals specifically with refugees and the Maltese need to see that people who are given this status should no longer be referred to as illegals. It is an incorrect term.
Sean Grima
Jul 21st 2010, 15:47
because human rights are not subject to referenda. as to whether they are coming from war torn countries or not - that is something which the refugees commissioner decides.
Chris Mifsud
Jul 21st 2010, 10:36
The UN should mind their own business.
We do not need them and do not owe any explanation to them.
Sean Grima
Jul 21st 2010, 12:09
yes we do as we are members of the UN.
Maria Azzopardi
Jul 21st 2010, 12:58
Malta has been a UN member state since 01-12-1964, Malta signed in accordance with the UN Charter. So, how exactly do you propose the UN should mind their own business?
lgalea
Jul 21st 2010, 09:59
Hoe about UNHCR putting its money where its mouth is and take all our illegal immigrants to its HQ and keep them there at its own expense?
Sean Grima
Jul 21st 2010, 12:41
how about thinking that these are human beings who have seen nothing but poverty, tensions and desperation for most of their lives?
lgalea
Jul 21st 2010, 13:04
Sean Grima how about coming down to earth and see that we cannot take any illegal immigrants especially when they had been living in Libya for up to 10 years as stated by the Refugee Commissioners Appeals Board Report and they are nothing except economic migrants? Yes, that exactly what they are. Simply economic migrants.
fbonello
Jul 21st 2010, 13:28
@ lgalea
agreed 100%
Sean Grima
Jul 21st 2010, 15:44
even if they are economic migrants, there is nothing wrong - thousand of maltese were economic migrants. the vast majority are not economic migrants, since the refugee commissioner would otherwise not accord them refugee status or subsidiary protection.
N. Bonello
Jul 21st 2010, 16:21
@Sean Grima
Excuse me but the Maltese were INVITED to go to UK, America, Australia and Canada etc.
Wilfred L Camilleri
Jul 21st 2010, 16:39
@Sean Grima
Yes, thousand of Maltese were economic migrants but they didn't enter countries illegally. That's the big difference here. Any you cannot claim that the vast majority are not economic migrants. I suspect may are and others are fleeing wars. But regardless, the UNHRC should be working to process such people in Africa instead of playing theatrics and engaging in a lot of grandstanding when they are rescued crossing the Mediterranean.
Stephanie Mamo Portelli
Jul 21st 2010, 17:08
Why are you generalising? Do you really believe that all asylum seekers are economic migrants? Yes, a number of asylum seekers do spend some time in Libya before coming to Malta - they need to earn some money to pay for the journey ahead. In the meantime they constantly live in fear of being imprisoned in inhumane detention centres and losing everything they've earned and having to start over (which sometimes turns from a terrible dream into a worse reality with cases extending to up to 10years as you said).
However, needing to make some money to escape does not qualify you as an economic migrant - it's the reason behind why you had to escape in the first place which actually counts.
Apart from this, I completely agree with sean... Poverty and economic migration should not be taken lightly.
Maria Azzopardi
Jul 21st 2010, 17:12
jahasra what you dont understand is that its not unhcr, with or without unhcr in Malta, Malts still has the legal responsibility of rescuing boat people and putting them through an asylum system
s.koludrovic
Jul 21st 2010, 17:51
The Maltese never gatecrashed into a country, they only went where the were invited or needed.
lgalea
Jul 21st 2010, 21:20
Sean Grima Maltese economic migrants went to other countries LEGALLY, after being medically examined, with their official correct papers, and went because the countries wanted immigrants because they did not have enough workers for the work they had and only accepted qualified immigrants for the work that was available. They did not go there illegally or pay human traffickers to smuggle them in without any identification and its an affront to Maltese migrants to compare them with illegal immigrats. On the contrary we are the most overpopulated country in nearly the world and certainly in Europe, we do not have enough space, work and money for ourselves and our families let alone for illegal immigrats.
Sean Grima
Jul 22nd 2010, 08:15
agreed that maltese economic migrants enetered legally, but they were not fleeing war, drought, poverty etc.
dear maria, it is not that these people do not understand: they do know and understand that immigrants have a right to apply for asylum, and are therefore legally entitled to stay here, but they continue to pretend they are not. fortunately, the amount of fools who never differ is an irrelevant minority.