Life and order in detention centres
Both the government and the police acted swiftly in reaction to the sad news that a Malian illegal immigrant, who had just been recaptured after escaping from the Safi detention centre, was certified dead in a Detention Service van outside the Paola health centre on Friday night.
In less than 48 hours, the police, on Sunday evening, arraigned three soldiers, two of whom were charged with the migrant’s murder and the other with perverting the course of justice.
Then, on Monday, the Prime Minister ordered an inquiry. He appointed a judge to look into the case and make any recommendations he deemed fit.
But not only. The Prime Minister referred to the conclusions reached and the recommendations made by another board of inquiry into the escape and death of a Nigerian migrant in April last year. He instructed the judge to determine what stage had the implementation of the recommendations reached and what impact they have had on the Detention Service.
It must be pointed out here that, in sharp contrast with the Malian migrant’s death, nobody was arraigned in connection with the death of the Nigerian, even if the government says four detention officers and a soldier were “directly involved in the demise”. The problem seems to have been the magisterial inquiry, which had still to be concluded.
It emerged yesterday that the inquiring magistrate was awaiting a “crucial” report on tests that were carried out overseas. This report is now in the magistrate’s possession and the inquiry is expected to be concluded soon.
Once that happens, the governmment would be expected to release the full report of the inquiry immediately. The police should also be in a better position to decide how best to proceed.
Still, the government was not justified in refusing to publish the full report before the magisterial inquiry was closed. More so when the inquiry board felt it should lose no time in making certain submissions so that the authorities would do what needs to be done to address, as far as possible, the various shortcomings that were identified.
To be fair, the government had listed the board’s “main observations” but, certainly it would have done more justice to the inquiry board had the whole report been published.
Some action seems to have been taken but a lot more needs to be done. In fact, the Prime Minister, who is now responsible for home affairs, felt he should tell the board of inquiry headed by the judge to determine what has in fact been done since then.
The rule of law demands that one should await the outcome of the court process before commenting on the behaviour of individuals, be they members of the Armed Forces of Malta or Detention Service personnel. But, looking at the bigger picture, it is evident that a lot of work still has to be done in terms of the running of the Detention Service, training of personnel, rules of engagement and procedures to be followed in given delicate situations.
As the flow of illegal immigrants continues, the problems are likely to become bigger and, therefore, the state of preparedness of the relevant authorities and personnel must be top-notch, otherwise there could be more tragic consequences.
Riots, serious fights, suicides and protests at detention centres underscore how bad and delicate the situation is. What happened last weekend rubs salt into an already festering wound. That is why meaningful action must be taken urgently to transmit the right signals and allay fears.
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Kurt Waschnig
Jul 7th 2012, 14:25
It should go without saying that the government and police acted swiftly after learning from the suspicious death of a Malian illegal immigrant in a Detention service van.
Two soldiers have been accused of the murder of Mamadou Kamara early on Saturday.
In less than 48 hours, the police, on Sunday evening, arraigned three soldiers, two of whom were charged with the migrant’s murder and the other with perverting the course of justice.
The arrest of the soldiers show how seriously the Government of Malta takes the death of Mamadou Kamara. And on Monday the prime Minister ordered an inquiry.
These are really important steps taken by the Government of Malta.
But now coming to Malta´s detention centre. Amnesty International raised several times its voice against the inhuman conditions in Malta´s detention centres.
According to an Amnesty international report conditions in detention centres continued to worsen.
The report says human rights were still being breached as a result of the mandatory detention policy.
The report should be taken seriously. Amnesty international is highly regarded all over the world as a defender of human rights.
Medecins Sans Frontieres reports on living conditions in Malta´s detention centres. It says the influx of new arrivals is causing further deterioration of already inhuman living conditions for detainees. Overcrowding, appalling hygiene and inadequate shelter in the centres expose detainees to the risk of skin and respiratory infections. Access to healthcare is poor, and the detainees’ health suffers as a consequence. Detainees with infectious diseases are held in the same areas as healthy people, contributing to the spread of epidemics. Patients have to wait days, sometimes weeks, before they receive the medication prescribed during consultations. Vulnerable people – pregnant women, children and sick people – are all kept in detention centres and are only eligible for release once a decision is taken based on their individual case.
The living conditions in detention centres are inhuman and a serious breach of human rights.
There are riots, serious fights, suicides and protests at detention centres in Malta. The situation at Malta´s detention centres are not bad or delicate they are inhuman. Even vulnerable people-pregnant women, children and sick people- are all kept in detention centres.
Migrants are exposed to inhuman living conditions at detention centres and that cannot be accepted or tolerated.
Malta is a democratic and constitutional state and is a member of the European Union. A continuous breach of human rights is not in the interest of Malta.
There must be a review of Malta´s detention policy.
Malta is a tiny island and the influx of migrants will not stop. More and more will reach the shores of Malta.
The European Union cannot let down down Malta. The European Union must give financial assistance because Malta is not able to cope with the influx.
There must be a relocation of migrants to other European countries. I understand very well the concerns of the Maltese.
But once again, illegal migrants are human beings and must be treated with dignity and respect.
A breach of human rights is unacceptable.
Amnesty International will continue to report on migrants in Malta.
Best regards
Kurt Waschnig Oldenburg Germany
e-mail: [email protected]
Louise Vella
Jul 7th 2012, 06:52
Looking at the bigger picture, Dr Gonzi must find a way of stopping the influx instead of inviting it. He should not be guaranteeing that every boat that is - or pretends to be - in distress will be escorted to Malta by the Armed Forces of Malta who have the duty of defending Malta and not helping in its invasion.
GL Calleja
Jul 6th 2012, 15:39
"Riots, serious fights, suicides and protests at detention centres underscore how bad and delicate the situation is. That is why meaningful action must be taken urgently to transmit the right signals and allay fears" That is why these illegal immigrants have to be sent back or steered away from our island. Let the EU and the UNCHR take responsibility. These illegal immigrants are causing a lot of animosity on our island and they are creating havoc for the citizens. We have huge problems and this government is not helping any. We do not need more detention camps, we need to stop the illegal immigration invasion and bring it to a full stop. Hotel Malta is full. May I remind Minister De Marco that this illegal immigration situation is interfering with our tourism which is our main source of income.
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