UNHCR silent on Libya’s €5bn request
The United Nations’ refugee agency has joined the EU Commission in keeping silent over Libya’s request for €5 billion to help it stymie the flow of African migrants into the country.
However, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is insisting that any agreement signed between the EU and Libya should include provisions to help the north African state develop legislation on asylum, which is lacking.
“It is not up to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to comment on the Libyan request. Not even the EU commented on it,” Laura Boldrini, a spokesman for UNHCR Italy, said when asked about Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi’s request last Monday.
Ms Boldrini said, however, that there must be greater awareness of the problems asylum seekers and refugees face in Libya since the authorities there treat all non-residents in the same way.
“Libyan authorities consider those who are non-residents as migrants without making any distinction between economic migrants, asylum seekers and refugees.
“The EU can support Libya in developing asylum legislation and create a network of non-governmental organisations that work with these people,” Ms Boldrini said.
Mr Gaddafi’s request was couched in a threat that Europe risked becoming Africanised unless it helped Libya stop the flow of illegal migrants across its southern border.
Malta has supported Tripoli’s request for substantial EU funds in exchange for more control over the flow of illegal migrants, with Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg describing it as “justified”.
He also played down Mr Gaddafi’s threat, dubbing the comments as “just negotiating tactics”.
However, President Emeritus Eddie Fenech Adami – who had last year said that sending immigrants straight back to Libya breached their fundamental human right to ask for protection – said a political solution was needed rather than money to address the flow of African migrants into Libya and Europe.
“The problem is political and the solution has to be a political one,” Dr Fenech Adami said, steering away from commenting on whether the controversial request was justified.
He did point out, however, that dealing with illegal immigration required “a just balance” between controlling the number of people who crossed borders and ensuring the rights of asylum seekers and refugees were safeguarded.
Last week, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle took a very cautious approach in Malta when asked about the issue, insisting the Libyan request had to be dealt with in bilateral negotiations.
Criticism of Mr Gaddafi’s request has been muted, with Alternattiva Demokratika being the only party to urge the government not to give in to “blackmail”. Labour has remained silent on the issue.
Columnist and anthropologist Mark-Anthony Falzon, writing in The Sunday Times today (page 15) derides Mr Gaddafi’s antics and chastises Malta and Italy for entertaining his request.
“I find myself deeply troubled that we – and I mean here the EU generally and Italy and Malta in particular – can be so glib about sending boat migrants back to Libya... it is morally wrong for Italy – and Malta by chumminess in crime – to dispatch asylum seekers to Libya,” Dr Falzon says.
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Joe Xuereb
Sep 8th 2010, 16:19
@ Sean Grima, for someone who has studied at post-tertiary level and gone on to self-proclaim intellectual status - as if that were the be all and end all - I have to say you are not doing very well. Not to those who are trained to read between the lines anyway.
Sean Grima
Sep 9th 2010, 11:24
in order for there to be reading between the lines, there should be someone capable of writing between the lines, in the first place. though i do not understand why one would need to write in such a manner.
Joe Xuereb
Sep 7th 2010, 19:38
It is noted that in any society one gets the privileged class, the ruling class, the elite, the well-heeled. Many of these will be variously well-educated, intellectuals, real or pseudo - for all that it matters. They tend to play their cards well, keep them close to their hearts, to attaint and retain their hallowed position. Their respectability is often mere facade.
At the other extreme one gets the majority. Has to be the majority. Even Malta can only have so many 'intellectuals'. These are the common workers, the disenfranchised, the chattering classes who blindly clamour, often angry and venting spleen and prejudice on poor wrecks who are known to fall prey to shows of agenda-riddled bizarre shows of 'kindness' by those who'd eat cake.
Did I say, in any society? No, scrap that. I've known societies, real and virtual. And no, it's not any society that is thus structured. It is Malta that is so set up. I wonder why? I wonder whether, being so small, it's a dog-eat-dog existence of extremes? Ingratiate yourself and sod the consequences sort of attitude. God takes care of the righteous. Doesn't he?
@Portelli. We have Sean Grima for problem solving.
Sean Grima
Sep 8th 2010, 16:05
and joe xuereb pontificating from london
Joe Xuereb
Sep 7th 2010, 19:34
quote: 'their comments are full of prejudice and hatred'. Does this accolade belong to the first category, the patriotic Maltese, or does it belong to the second category? We need to know as the sequence is all rather baffling and I so don't want to sit in judgement of someone who's a little bit confused, of itself not a crime worthy of a chopped hand or a slow and painful death under a shower of stones. If one is 37, and is ignorant still of carnal knowledge, upholding such laws would be understandable. On the other hand, a 37year-old virgin in the Western world (even if carnality is known only in thought but not in deed - tall order!) - there is something seriously wrong with one. So let's not be hypocritical.
I hope mine is only a fantasy. Thing is, what if it turns into a nightmare? Some are affected enough to see it as just that. And that is today. Ahseb il-hazin halli t-tajjeb qatt ma jonqos. It's not as if anyone's suggesting culling 'the unwelcome'. Just encouraging them to stay put -for their own sake and ours. That is all.
David Portelli
Sep 6th 2010, 21:11
Mr Joe Xuereb I think it is possible to defend your country,cause we can witness that no one would in this issue Malta should work on it's own and won't be in need of those the union which is doing a lot of summits,meetings and discussions and not a single solution discovered. Pls I would like to know if you heard one single solution coming from the EU on this issue.
Robert Agius
Sep 6th 2010, 07:32
How long will it take for Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt to pick up on the scam? This biggest threat to Human rights will be those who are forced to abide by conventions against the will of their people, while others wash their hands from duty but expect others to follow. @ Sean Grima - right of asylum should be a right everywhere. The problem is that it is not and other nations take advantage of this situation. Benevolence has, and should have, its limits. Don't be be too enchanted by post tertiary 'intellectuals'. Apart from being discriminatory (we don't live in an aristocracy), this doesn't necessarily make them any wiser. All people have a right to opinion (and most studies, in fact all economic studies, are based on their opinions).
Sean Grima
Sep 7th 2010, 08:43
all people are entitled to their opinion (even if it is wrong). but expressing one's opinion must not violate the law e.g. by inciting racial hatred.
the priority should not be inter-state fighting, but providing these poor people with a decent standard of living: and that should be here and now, not in a remote future, by which time they would be dead.
Sean Grima
Sep 7th 2010, 15:34
according to your thinking, nobody should study, because at the end of the day, it is still an individual's opinion. there is such a thing as a learned/studied opinion, which has more value and weight than any other opinion.
Sean Grima
Sep 5th 2010, 16:14
on the one hand we have intellectuals, people who have studied at post tertiary level stating that denying africans their right to asylum is morally, ethically and legally wrong, and on the other hand we have a bunch of unknowns, of dubious educational level, advocating such a denial. their comments are full of prejudice and hatred.
Stephen Koludrovic
Sep 5th 2010, 21:24
@ sean Grima,
I do hope that you do not consider yourself as one of the illuminati intellectuals, because if so, then western civilization as we know it is doomed, and may the good Lord help us all.
P.Pulis
Sep 6th 2010, 11:21
In which category do you fall? Maybe this may explain your postion.
Sean Grima
Sep 7th 2010, 08:41
well, i have studied at post tertiary level, but i do not consider myself as an intellectual. having said that, racism and xenophobia are considered to be products of ignorance, so, it is only natural for intellectuals to be against such sentiments.
Sean Grima
Sep 7th 2010, 15:35
though i have studied at post tertiary level, there are people who are much more qualified to be considered as intellectuals than me. given that racism and xenophobia are the products of ignorance, it is no wonder that intellectuals are against those sentiments.
Stephen Koludrovic
Sep 5th 2010, 14:47
In the seventies Italy suffered a spate of kidnappings, and for so long as the families of the kidnapped victims paid up, the kidnappings continued. The moment the Italian government froze the assets of the victims, the kidnapping for ransom stopped.
It is a similar situation with these immigrants, repatriate them back and the threat of the 5 billion ransom will just be hot air.
Joe Xuereb
Sep 5th 2010, 13:15
The Libyan Leader will extricate himself out of signing any convention that doesn't suit him. It seems some respect him for his stance even if it means them being 'demolished'.
If he gets the 5Bn.Euros, is there any guarantee that the flood will be stemmed? And what if Morocco, Algeria, etc. join the demanding chorus? Where will it stop? Set up a precedence and the sky's the limit. It is the nature of succumbing to blackmail.
I cannot believe that, with their mindset, some commenters here have a vote. Thinking particularly of I.Borg who, screaming from the rooftops, says: 'GADDAFI STILL STANDS TALL AND TREATED WITH RESPECT AND TAKEN NOTICED OFF
I CANNOT SAY I AGREE WITH EVERY THING HE DID OR DOES BUT HE REALLY IS A FIGHTER ANS SURVIVER'. Would you still respect this man if he annihilated you and your country, Borg?
David Portelli comes a very close second. Portelli, Malta does not exist in isolation - like not needing other countries. Get it?!
Being a Sunday, you have escaped from Confused.com to air your views in public. Ahjar Alla jaghtini l-pacenzja!
Joe Xuereb
Sep 5th 2010, 12:45
Quote: 'Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg .........He also played down Mr Gaddafi’s threat, dubbing the comments as “JUST NEGOTIATING TACTICS”. Would Tonio Borg use such tactics to retain his exulted position? Tactics or not, they are affecting the Maltese where it hurts, their stomach-ulcers. (see my comment on: http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100905/local/fasten-your-seatbelt-councils-are-encountering-turbulence )
'The Africans he called "starving and uneducated" are economic migrants seeking a better life in Europe'.
By his - Gaddafi's - own admission, 'starving and UNEDUCATED'. The starving need feeding. If they're here, I need to feed them. Fair enough being a Christian of sorts. Their contributions? What?! being uneducated?! What am I? a two fishes five loaves miracle-worker? some goddamn masochistic Fairy-GODmama?!
Louise Vella. Quote: ' Graffiti, JRS, Migrants Solidarity Movement, the Emigrants Commission, the Peace Laboratory....
Well said Ms Vella. Your list could have included the likes of one Sean Grima, last seen fading into the sunset, chasing shifting silhouettes.
Sean Grima
Sep 5th 2010, 16:10
or joe xuereb, living his larger than life fantasy is cosmopolitan london
Charles Micallef
Sep 5th 2010, 12:26
Is Gaddafi following North Korea's Kim Il Sum example and trying to blackmail or hold the Mediterranean countries to ransom as North Korea does with its neighbour’s and the USA?
David Portelli
Sep 5th 2010, 12:22
I don't think it would have a great impact on Malta they can't allow it so easy,cause Malta is almost in Italy's territory.
I believe that we should have a powerful position on immigration so we won't be in need of other countries.But unfortunately our sleeping government is just waiting for The EU to take an action in the interest of our country.
The EU should ignore Gaddafi and take a concrete action,cause this man has a history of blackmails and treats but always remained the same.
Very good comments by Louise Vella and Charles Sammut and I hope the graffitti and the Intelligent NGOs in our country and through europe, leave a single message about having a "Black Europe full of ignorant,starving and uneducated peolpe",Behind all this issue there is more than just immigration;'people who are seeking a better life'.
This is a whole plan of Europe yet to be, imposed on us.
albert leone ganado
Sep 5th 2010, 12:16
Let us hope that we are not witnessing the lull before the hurricane when it comes to illegal immigrants from Libya. The truth is that most of Europe can take care of itself faced with such a deluge but not us. European moral principles tend to be quite malleable when faced with a crisis, just think of the Roma expulsions in France. However one can rest assured that Malta will feature low on their list of priorities when it comes to resolving problems they and us face . We have therefore to take advantage of this period of calm to prepare strategies and contingincies ideally diplomatic for every possible scenario. We have to insist with Libya and Europe that we will not be the sacrificial pawn or opening gambit in a chess game which is being played between them. An invasion of boat people will be simply a declaration of war on us and we must be ready to treat it as such. Rather than accuse Dr Tonio Borg of being immoral I think he understood very well the seriousness of the matter and is trying to steer Malta from getting swallowed in this dangerous game.
l borg
Sep 5th 2010, 12:15
AFTER 41 YEARS AS LEADER OF LIBYA AND SURVIVED MANY USA PRESIDENTS THAT TRIED INVAIN TO DESTROY HIM GADDAFI STILL STANDS TALL AND TREATED WITH RESPECT AND TAKEN NOTICED OFF
I CANNOT SAY I AGREE WITH EVERY THING HE DID OR DOES BUT HE REALLY IS A FIGHTER ANS SURVIVER
Joe Borg
Sep 5th 2010, 11:40
Minister Tonio Borg dubbed the Libyan blackmail as a 'negotiating tactic'. I wonder if blackmail includes negotiating Malta's potentially oil-rich Medina Bank? Libyan interest in the offshore area is now obvious in view of Libya's agreement with BP. The stakes for the Medina Bank are rising.
What will happen if the Maltese government dares to insist on a maritime boundary with Libya that places the Medina Bank under Maltese sovereignity (and oil drilling rights)? Will Libya blackmail Malta by threatening to open its floodgates of refugees on Malta?
Once the EU gives in to one form of blackmail to appease a dictator, it will have to give in to more blackmail, including that which will strip Malta of its continental shelf.
History teaches us a lesson: the Munich Agreement 1938 and the loss of the Sudetenland!
No wonder the German Foreign Minister was reticent on the Libyan demands! Not so in the case of our Maltese Foreign Minister who betrayed his oath of loyalty to the Maltese people and supported the Libyan blackmail for 5 billion euro!
Inadvertently, Dr Borg may have gambled away Malta's Medina Bank by giving in to blackmail
martin saliba
Sep 5th 2010, 11:30
Whatever happens one cannot forget that it was France , Holland , Italy , Britain , belgium and other euorpean states that raped and pillaged the african nation without giving anything back. What goes around comes around.
Joe Borg
Sep 5th 2010, 11:29
Gonzi, just get rid of the illegal immigrants and stop all this nonsense of political correctness. We do not want the illegal immigrants to remain in Malta and want them repatriated all and not a single one allowed to remain here.
Robert Callus
Sep 5th 2010, 11:27
The UNHCR is not silent, but reiterates its position that Libya should sign the Geneva convention. The deafening silence is from the PL. The PN and AD have been clear in their opposing positions. Why is the PL completely silent on such an important issue? We don't want to irritate anyone, don't we?
Charles Sammut
Sep 5th 2010, 15:31
Robert Callus, do you think that Gaddafi is naive? Do you think that he will sign a convention which, if adhered to, will effectively tie Libya's hands while the country gets over-run by sub-Saharan Africans?
Gaddafi might be eccentric, but he's not stupid. He's not about to sign a 1951 convention that is long expired and does not apply to today's realities. That convention was drafted to cater for post WW II displacement within Europe. It was not meant for mass migration of potentially 1 billion Africans with a completely alien culture to already strained and overcrowded Europe.
No way, self-preservation trumps conventions, religions, legislation, pseudo-morals and money.
Sean Grima
Sep 5th 2010, 16:26
expired?
Joe Bonici
Sep 5th 2010, 11:24
Laura Boldrini just take them back to Africa and help them there. The vast majority of Maltese citizens do not want them here because we do not want to become an African country. Out with illegal immigrants.
Stephen Koludrovic
Sep 5th 2010, 11:22
Kudos to Mr Gaddafi for wanting 5 euros yearly for every living African. Piety we joined the EU,
we could have had a small share out of this 5 bilion.
gcForte
Sep 5th 2010, 11:21
In my opinion,the problem is not whether Libya is right or wrong, the problem is that if Europe accept what Col. Gaddafi is asking for ( which he have the right to do so ) ,other northern African countries. like Marocco, Algeria, Tunesia,and other countries that are in the Mediterranean sea, will claim the same amount of money, and obviously they have the right too do so as well. What has to be done ? All European countries that are in the Mediterranean sea including Malta should invest in good forces to guard their territory seas. It will be like entering the airport illegally, any boat, ship that enter our seas will be diverted from where it came from. I still say that 95% of them will not be coming straight from Libya, but will be lowered from a big ship, some miles away from our country. With today`s technology, you can identify a flying mosquito whether it is a boy or girl, u Alla ibierek we do not see these things happen.
Anthony Borg
Sep 5th 2010, 11:13
Now let me see...who was it that said, " I have nothing against African people...as long as they stay in Africa"?
The Internet has made the World a global village...what next...a swamp by ethnically different nations to make Europe an African colony, coming here under the pretext of refugee asylum seekers?
Adriano Spiteri
Sep 5th 2010, 11:08
The infamous Colonel is more interested in the well-being of his country,
than our so-called 'Nationalist' politicians are interested in ours and their own.
"The UNHCR is insisting that any agreement signed between the EU and Libya should include provisions to help the North African state develop legislation on asylum, which is lacking."
The Colonel wouldn't give a damn about UNHCR, whether migrants are seeking better economic conditions or refugee status. And the UNHCR wants to dictate the terms - which he will simply reject and let Europe to abide by them.
A truly Nationalist party would do likewise instead of using the term 'politics' to justify the means to our country's end.
Dr Fenech Adami, our President Emeritus, used to lay a wreath on the 8th September. However he forgot the meaning and importance of it all. Like his successor, he is more interested in 'political-correctness' and religion than Politics itself, which goes beyond personal thoughts and compassions.
The present party in government will suffer its worst electoral defeat ever. It fully deserves it for Africanizing our country thanks to their will and stupidity.
Tommy Cassar
Sep 5th 2010, 11:27
Adriano Spiteri why is he infamous if he seeks to protect his country? It is our politicians who are infamous for allowing the takeover of Malta by illegal immigrants until the people decide to take the law into their own hands and expel the illegal immigrants themselves.
Sean Grima
Sep 5th 2010, 16:28
i wait with bated breath to watch this expulsion.
victor pulis
Sep 5th 2010, 11:06
It is evident that the EU, UNHCR and our main political parties are afraid of stepping on Gaddafi's toes. Only the blind or the scared would not see the veiled threat behind Gaddafi's 'request'.
Mike Farrugia
Sep 5th 2010, 10:57
How is Mr. Gheddafi planning to spend the money if he gets it?
Charles Sammut
Sep 5th 2010, 11:23
Buxom, virgin, female bodyguards?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-501051/Five-planes-camel-tent-30-female-virgin-bodyguards--Libyan-leader-Gaddafi-arrives-Paris-entourage.html
Charles Sammut
Sep 5th 2010, 10:54
Gaddafi is not constrained by political correctness. He says it exactly as it is. For this he has my respect.
The situation is now perfectly clear. Do we allow Europe to self destruct by becoming Africanised or shall we defend our lands, cultures and peoples and not give in to this asylum seeking smoke-screen?
Genuine African refugees have a vast, resource rich continent where to resettle. Their place is not in Europe. In fact Europe must now extend the repatriation of settlers not just to Roma people, but to all those who have barged their way into Europe and are causing such civil strife and criminality. With unemployment at around 10% (20% in some countries), Europe does not need immigrants. It needs to make it worth while for Europeans to work. Immigration only serves those unscrupulous capitalists who are looking to make a fast buck through cheap unregulated labour and those NGOs getting EU funds and avoiding income tax.
Sean Grima
Sep 5th 2010, 16:08
we are talking about people not animals in a habitat. by your arguments, all europeans living outside europe should be thrown out.
Louise Vella
Sep 5th 2010, 09:33
UNHCR is silent because Gaddafi has pulled the rug from under its feet. He said it as it is. The Africans he called "starving and uneducated" are economic migrants seeking a better life in Europe. They are not refugees. They are not seeking human rights.
Gaddafi said there are millions of them ready to set sail for Europe. We know Africa's population is 1 billion or 1 000 million. Many of them will be in Europe before the end of the year if Europe opens its doors. UNHCR has always avoided speaking of numbers, not to expose the real extent of the problem.
Laura Boldrini is usually more than ready to speak to the press and give her own or UNHCR's opinion about things. Not this time. Does UNHCR agree or not that the vast majority of Africans crossing over to Europe are economic migrants and not refugees? Ms Boldrini wants Libya to "create a network of non-governmental organisations". Now there is a great opportunity for Graffiti, JRS, Migrants Solidarity Movement, the Emigrants Commission, the Peace Laboratory etc. They can all go and set up shop in Libya.
Sean Grima
Sep 5th 2010, 16:29
the vast majority are seeking asylum as they are entitled to do.