Where is the value of tolerance?

The words uttered by Joseph Muscat in his speech in Parliament on divorce are still clear in my mind. He said that if one were to be considered European one had to embrace the value of tolerance. Apart from the issue of divorce, about which I also do not agree with Dr Muscat’s views, a question that beggars reply is: Where, according to Dr Muscat, has the value of tolerance gone when immigration is concerned?

This is a question that is worth considering and pondering about seriously.

This is not only because of the issues raised below but, and perhaps more importantly, because of the fact that its answer raises serious doubts about the principles and, perhaps, moral integrity of a party which, while trying to sell itself as progressive, is aspiring to govern this country within a few years.

Does the value of tolerance for Dr Muscat only extend to the introduction of divorce in Malta, with all the possible effects such a measure will have on the social fabric of our families and society? What about tolerance with regard to the immigrants who are fleeing Libya for one simple reason, that is, to avoid being massacred?

The declaration made by Dr Muscat on behalf of a supposedly modern and progressive party of a modern European country is, to say the least, quite serious and, one would venture to add, also quite dangerous, especially if one considers that such a declaration is made by someone who is aspiring to become Prime Minister in a few years’ time.

Dr Muscat said Italy did well not to accept the 171 immigrants who were drowning and implied Malta should have done the same.

This is really a very grave statement, replete with undesirable implications. At first glance, what came to my mind was that in the opinion of Dr Muscat’s party the value of human life is minimal and dispensable. However, within a day, that same party issued a statement saying the government should respect human life but be stronger on the issue.

What a contradiction in 24 hours! If Malta followed Italy’s actions, the 171 immigrants on board would have definitely drowned. Let’s be frank, the general feeling of the Maltese public is to do exactly what Dr Muscat said Malta should do but, then again, here we cannot but detect the strong scent of popularism Dr Muscat seems to wear every morning before doing his tie. This reminds me of another statement Dr Muscat made about this issue. He had said Malta should use the veto on immigration. Again, yet another politically irresponsible statement by Dr Muscat that shows his only concern is to strike a popular note.

I sincerely hope that if things change and the number of immigrants coming to Malta were to increase drastically we will still condemn any declaration similar to the one uttered by Dr Muscat. The value of human life is supreme on any other value, even the national interest. Malta should continue working, as it is already doing, to gain more support from the European Union about immigration rather than sacrificing the fundamental value of human life on the altar of popularism in order to garner a few extra votes.

With regard to immigration, something positive has already taken place. Twelve countries have declared they are ready to take some immigrants from Malta. I have to say I do have my doubts as to how much the numbers will satisfy us Maltese. Europe should demonstrate real solidarity and this has to happen as soon as possible but until it happens Malta has to respect the value of human life.

Any racist comments viewed online are also condemnable. In the past, we Maltese were also immigrants, largely of the economic type, in other countries. I am quite sure we never wanted to be treated the way Dr Muscat suggested we treat people fleeing from Libya who are not economic immigrants but are running for their lives.

One may perhaps argue that if Italy acted that way, why shouldn’t Malta do so too? One has to clear this issue.

The minister responsible for immigration in Italy is Roberto Maroni, one of the more outspoken ministers in the Berlusconi government.

He took the decisions in this case. A few days later, his own Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, declared that Malta was right on this issue and Italy should have done the same.

This means the decision was Mr Maroni’s and his alone. He happens to be a member of the Lega Nord party in Italy, a party led by Umberto Bossi who, in 2003, was quoted as saying in relation to immigration: “After the second or third warning, bang... we fire the cannon.”

I sincerely hope Dr Muscat does not have Mr Bossi as his idol. On the other hand, it seems the views do seem to concur.

The author is information secretary of the Nationalist Party’s Youth Movement and a member of the PN executive council.