David Schembri
No inquiry into use of rubber bullets in Safi riot – government
Soldiers in riot gear last Tuesday in Safi. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
There will be no inquiry into the use of rubber bullets during a riot at Safi detention centre last week, the Justice and Home Affairs Ministry said as NGOs voiced their concern about the response.
A ministry spokesman said there was “no need for an inquiry”.
The ministry defended the use of baton rounds, as the bullets are known, saying they were considered a “legitimate form of non-lethal force” in the circumstances and were only used when other options to quell the riots were exhausted.
The riot was started by tens of migrants who six months ago fled Libya and were refused asylum. Several of them set fire to mattresses and skips and pelted police officers and soldiers with stones.
One migrant was hurt and 15 police officers and three soldiers suffered hand injuries.
Integra, a human rights voluntary organisation which yesterday called for an inquiry, said the use of the rubber bullets was “clearly a disproportionate response” and asked whether the armed forces were ready to use such ammunition against members of Maltese society participating in protests.
“The use of rubber bullets within the detention centres, may, on the other hand, reflect a more worrying pattern, namely the dehumanisation of irregular migrants and asylum seekers in Malta,” a spokesman for Integra said.
The conditions at detention centres were leading to “excessive, potentially lethal use of force against certain groups of human beings” being not only justified “but also welcomed by the government, the opposition and the AFM”.
Human rights lawyer Neil Falzon also questioned whether the use of rubber bullets was appropriate, given that the migrants were in an enclosed space and could not escape.
Jesuit Refugee Service lawyer Katrine Camilleri argued that “given that a considerable amount of force was used, as rubber bullets are weapons that can cause serious injury and, in extreme cases, even death, it would be appropriate to institute an inquiry into the incident, even though no one appears to have been seriously injured”.
However, beyond the use of force, the riots once again drew attention to Malta’s 18-month detention policy, which is endorsed by the two major parties.
Dr Falzon referred to a European Court of Human Right’s decision last year in Louled Massoud vs Malta in which the court said that the “national system failed to protect the applicant from arbitrary detention” and that Mr Massoud’s 18-month detention in Malta was in violation of section four of article 5 of the European Human Rights Convention.
The government had defended its detention policy under section 1 of that same article, which deals with “the lawful arrest or detention of a person to prevent his effecting an unauthorised entry into the country or of a person against whom action is being taken with a view to deportation or extradition”.
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Martin Abela
Aug 22nd 2011, 17:24
The AFM did not use baton rounds but 40mm cartridges filled with 3 or 4mm rubber buckshot. If as is being quoted baton rounds were used ( normally a baton round is a single rubber slug) than there would have been serious injuries or worse, which was not the case.
The immigrants were not hurt or injured because of the sheer and complete professionalism of the AFM soldiers and officers.
angelo cilia
Aug 22nd 2011, 17:11
"as rubber bullets are weapons that can cause serious injury and, in extreme cases, even death"
So can the rocks that the illegal migrants threw at the police and armed service personnel.
angelo cilia
Aug 22nd 2011, 17:05
Use rubber bullets again next time and every time, get the message out loud and clear that the government of Malta means business to deal with these characters and their riots.
angelo cilia
Aug 22nd 2011, 16:04
Use rubber bullets again next time and every time, get the message out loud and clear that the government of Malta means business to deal with these characters and their riots.
Mr T Pace
Aug 22nd 2011, 15:48
It appears that NGO's have mushroomed in the belief that they could influence government's policy on any subject of their choice in the mistaken belief that they know better.
They seem to forget that in a democratic society, the elected government represents the will of the electorate. Indeed even when the Government and the Opposition agree on any point which is not to their liking, they still try to create a case both in Malta and elsewhere.
It is up to the electorate to decide whether the outgoing government had acted in accordance with its wishes or not.
Up to some time ago, they used to assert that immigrants from Libya were treated badly in that country, hence the need for them to come to Malta. This assertion was not borned out during the latest riot when they chanted "Viva Gaddafi".
As regards the methods used to quell the riot, who are they to question the methods used? If they were on the receiving end of the objects thrown, they would think otherwise.
Now that the Gaddafi regime has been toppled, are these NGO's going to assert that the new Libyan government is going to do the same with them. I would not be surprised at all if they shall assert this. Now is the time to send all of them back.
The government is right not to spend any efforts in conducting any inquiry and the vast majority of the people are more than satisfied with the action taken by Malta's Armed Forces and Police
angelo cilia
Aug 22nd 2011, 17:08
I agree with you 100% Mr. Pace.
We waste enough money on these illegals as it is.
Mr Victor A
Aug 22nd 2011, 14:23
Strangely but true, when ever there's an argument about illegal/irregular immigrants all the Misses/ Ms are in in favor what ever is the case! who knows why?
Stephen Koludrovic
Aug 22nd 2011, 16:49
Most probably, in their childhood they dreamt of a dark prince who would whisk them away to some exotic far away land.
Mr Victor A
Aug 22nd 2011, 20:18
Mmm maybe! never passed from my mind! LOL
A.M. Galea
Aug 22nd 2011, 14:13
JRS lawyer Dr.Katrine Camilleri argued that a considerable ammount of force was used , as rubber bullits are weapons that can cause serious injury and in extreme cases , even death , it would be appropriate to institute an inquiry into the incident , even though no one appears to have been seriously injured .
Dr.Camilleri , may I ask if stones , glass , pieces of concrete , pieces of iron and all types of missiles could not cause serious injury and in extreme cases , even death .In what way do you pretend the security forces should react , by submitting to all their demands and put aside the security of the maltese people and our country .
Integra , a human rights volontary organisation which yesterday called for an inquiry , said that the use of rubber bullits was " clearly a disproportionate respponse " and asked whether the armed forces were ready to use such ammunition against members of Maltese society participating in protests .
First of all , it depends whether is it a peaceful protest or a violent one , whether is it a riot or an uprising against a legal government . As an ex-serviceman , and during internal security training , the Platoon had two riflemen that can be in extreme cases to neutralise the person/s that is/are inciting the others to commit criminal offence against public security . And after a clear warning that the use of firearms is going to be used , the platoon commander indicates the riflemen those persons he wants to neutralise . And we do not use rubber bullits , but real ammunition .
And you have the guts to ask for an inquiry when there was 15 police officers , 3 soldiers injured compaired to one immegrant the suffered minor injuries .
If as Mons. Philipe Calleja said , that it is a natural reaction for the illegal immigrants to react that way through their frustration , is it not the same natural reaction for the security forces to react the same way when they find themselves under attack by these illegal immigrants.
If these illegal immigrants want freedom , they should go back to their country and fight to free their country from their dictatorial governments once and for all and not pretend this from other countries to do what they should themselves .
angelo cilia
Aug 22nd 2011, 13:04
Use rubber bullets again next time and every time, get the message out loud and clear that the government of Malta means business to deal with these characters and their riots.
S. Briffa
Aug 22nd 2011, 12:43
Where they ordered to use rubber bullets? If that is the case then it should be fine with no inquiry but was it!!! They needed to protect themselves that I understand but when where the rubber bullets used, my opinion is yes there should be an inquiry!!
S Grech
Aug 22nd 2011, 14:40
I'm sure that they never used rubber bullets for nothing else but to defend themselves. Why are you trying to put our force in doubt? Are you in other words saying that they did it just to hurt them for no reason what so ever or maybe saying that they did so because they are racists?? I don't think that they would have ever used ruvver bullets if their safety wasn't treathened.
Neil Sant
Aug 22nd 2011, 12:18
It's good to see a strong position from the Government.
Alfred Bugeja
Aug 22nd 2011, 11:49
What are the NGO's calling for an inquiry for if only one migrant received slight injury during the incidents? And how can Dr 'know-it-all' Falzon know that the migrants were in an enclosed space when the bullets were fired? Was he there? From what I gathered, the only thing holding the migrants from the open fields and the airport was the line of soldiers and police officers.
Mr Mario Farrugia
Aug 22nd 2011, 11:42
Well done to government for taking a though stand on this matter. I think it is time that the 'Do-gooders' start being side-lined and ignored. Illegal immigration is a national security issue and individual beliefs and sentiments do not enter in it at all. We cannot possibly keep ignoring the fact that Malta is slowly being overrun by alien people who claim to come from one place when in fact they originate from another. These people are a national security threat and should be dealt with accordingly. And in saying so, I am not just alluding to those coming from Africa but also those coming from Eastern Europe and the Balkans who are not usually kept under control. It is time for us all to count the chicks.
Mr Joseph Sammut
Aug 22nd 2011, 11:20
Issa hekk jonqos nghaddu inkjesta lil forzi ta' l-ordni ghax ghamlu xoghlhom !
Mr D Muscat
Aug 22nd 2011, 09:58
We know what happened. Eighteen police and soldiers were violently attacked and injured by failed asylum seekers and rubber bullets were used to restore order. End of story. No need to waste money on an inquiry. The riot cost more than enough taxpayers' money. I don't want these type of people roaming our streets.
As for fleeing Libya, the refugee commission had decided twice that they had not. For all we know they may have even crossed over from Tunisia into Libya, taking advantage of the trouble there, to take a boat to a life of welfare benefits in Europe. Hundreds have.
http://www.unhcr.org/4dd27eea9.html
http://www.unhcr.org/4dd244ac9.html
http://www.unhcr.org/4dd27eea9.html
Mr David Bezzina
Aug 22nd 2011, 09:50
WHY THE NEED OF AN INQUIRY ?
I GUESS THESE NGO'S WERE NOT THE ONES WHO WERE PELTED WITH STONES.
THE FORCE USED BY THE ARMY WAS PROPORTIONAL TO THE FORCE THAT WAS SHOWN BY THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.
IF THEY ARE NOT HAPPY IN MALTA,THEY CAN DO OUR COUNTRY A FAVOR BY RETURNING TO THEIR OWN COUNTRY.
IN THE END OF THE DAY,IT WAS THE POLICE OFFICERS WHO GOT HURT AND NOT THE IMMIGRANTS.
Ms Al Gatt
Aug 22nd 2011, 09:11
If there's nothing to hide, why afraid of an inquiry. It could only clear things out.
Mr Stephen Borg
Aug 22nd 2011, 10:11
Why should there be anything to hide the Maltese security forces where doing their job responsibly and with no breach of human rights. Who knows what would you have said if the riot went out of hand. Stop being paranoiac and stop defending the indefensible the Maltese security forces did their job correctly by defending their country from these illegal immigrants that are not eligible for and refugee status.
David Spiteri
Aug 22nd 2011, 10:22
Why waste public funds on such an inquiry in the first place?
Mr Duncan Scerri
Aug 22nd 2011, 12:11
Cost. You paying for it?
J. Debono
Aug 22nd 2011, 13:43
18 soldiers were injured, whilst only one immigrant was injured.
It is obvious, that the soldiers had to use some force, to avoid more injuries.
In this case rubber bullets, seemed to stop the riot. Therefore their use was justified.
Why waste money on an enquiry.
Ms Al Gatt
Aug 22nd 2011, 15:02
@ David Spiteri
Have we dehumanised these people to this extent, that an inquiry is "waste of money"
If a known heroin addict is found dead for obvious reasons but there is the slightest suspicion of foul play an inquiry is held.
Here we have people who were allegedly shot with rubber bullets, which the British police refrained from using in a much larger and violent riot where 5 people ended up killed. And you call calling an inquiry a 'waste of public funds'?
Mr Tony Camilleri
Aug 22nd 2011, 17:38
Ms Al Gatt if they didn't riot the rubber bullets would not have been fired. The Armed Forces should do so again and every time the illegal immigrats disobey their orders.
Mr Tony Camilleri
Aug 22nd 2011, 17:41
Ms Al Gatt those rioters caused more than 350 million Sterling damages in England.
Have the illegal immigrats not caused enough damage in Malta and been such a big burden on us?
The Armed Forces were right and I am sure that they have the support of the vast majority of Maltese persons.
I and my families fully support them and encourage them to do it again every time the illegal immigrats riot or do not obey their orders.
Dennis Zammit
Aug 22nd 2011, 09:06
Well done to the Government. This is what we need . . . a strong position.
Thanks.
Ms Louise Vella
Aug 22nd 2011, 08:59
The conclusion is clear. The Government, the Opposition, the AFM and at least 90 per cent of the common people of Malta are wrong. Dr Catherine Camilleri of the Jesuit Refugee Service, Dr Neil Falzon of his own NGO aditus and the NGO integra are right. Therefore Malta should follow the dictates of Dr Camilleri, Dr Falzon, the JRS, aditus and integra. That way the Maltese will be happy for ever.
Mr Victor A
Aug 22nd 2011, 22:02
yes there should be an inquiry, against the illegal immigrants, as they destroyed the compound,from our tax for throwing sewage, bleach, boulders at Public Officers, and to those who promise them freedom for falsely misinform them about their situation. they fled off Libya and non of them is Libyan! thats a clear conclusion for me!