54 migrants die trying to reach Italy

Joe Fenech

Jul 12th 2012, 19:31

And what are we supposed to do? Cry? It is unfortunate but that's what foolishness bring about.

Joe Xuereb

Jul 11th 2012, 16:37

It is all to easy to say/think, they deserve to die. No, in a truly civilised country one does not say/think like that. That said, people all over the world die tragically every single day. Loss of life is always sad but I refuse, because I cannot, take on board, emotionally speaking, every single mishap that happens. It would do my head in. One has to be pragmatic.

The other day an off-duty police officer, father of two young children was shot dead when he acted the hero trying to tackle a madman who was randomly shooting at people. All are now singing his praises and heroism which won't bring him back. I am sorry for him but equally important, it has made me aware (yet again) what a dreadful world we live in. The only thing we can do is buffer ourselves against it. Burying our heads in the sand is not a way to go forward.

If only these tragic migrants (of whatever status one chooses to see them) did not allow themselves to be duped into leaving home for whatever fantasies, they might be alive today. Because death puts paid to any aspiration, wise or foolish, one might have. Maybe at some point they considered Malta but, against their better judgement, they decided otherwise. They decided that Italy was the better option and thence, who knows what earthly wonders would await them? What happened is not history, a closed chapter. But is it? With no lessons learnt, these tragedies will continue to be newsworthy in the future. If only they realised that Europe is no place to come at the moment, as economic migrants or whatever else. And Europe is not place to come to even if times were good. Not in the sheer numbers that are projected into the future at any rate. People anywhere need sheter and work to sustain themselves, and to be given the wherewithal to build an identity for themselves. Of course it is all pie in the sky.

@Evarist Saliba (11th July 10:09). You are so right, Mr. Saliba. Agreed conventions are all very well but when the honouring of such creates obvious problems - something to do with logistics - conventions need to be reviewed, and urgently so. As it is, the influx of - and I don't care what the Conventions say - immigrants without documents being acceptable because the Convention sees them from the point of view of their being potential refuge-seekers. Fine! But there comes a point when...........practicalities have to kick in. Any second-grader will tell us this.

In the meantime the signed Conventions, the UNHCR, are aiding and abetting what is essentially a criminal activity and aiding and abetting the people who are facilitating this most degrading type of trafficking of humans because it promises everything, takes the money, and..........the rest is history. Including the transfer of the odd family here and there into America and Swiss societies. They do integrate, don't they?! Would be nice to get feedback but I could wait forever. I was saying, human-trafficking is a highly criminal activity I would have thought. Indeed I know it is. And the UNHCR and its stupid surveys (even if declared as having been done by an independent body on their behalf to gain credibility - pull the other one! what was I? born yesterday?!) choose to ignore all this and castigate Malta for not delivering at the Detention Centres. Bizarre! to say the least.

Note. The survey was stupid and worthless. What was needed is here on the comments below, the majority of which make their true feelings felt and not anonymously like in the survey, either.
I think the comments are more than good enough temperature-taking of where Malta and its people stand on this matter.

@Andy Farrugia (11th July 10:01). Andy Farrugia, you are coming along nicely. Don't forget, you promised me a cappuccino. So you owe me.

@J Degabriele (11th July 09:29). Many, too many of these people decide to come over to Europe for no particular reason other than, everybody is doing it. They are being duped by their friends/relatives who are already here, and by their traffickers who stand to make a handsome pile of whatever currency. Basic intelligence seems not to be uppermost in their makeup. They are infantile with an understandable if shallow, palpable agenda. To their detriment and that of others. And we are supposed to believe that Europe's economic crisis could be re-built by these people. I do not think so.

@Dom.J. Bugejja (11th July 08:44). Mr?/Ms? Bugejja (I thought it was Bugeja - but never mind!).
These tragic people could well have been the one's who refused to disembark in Malta, seeing as they have been told that the Maltese are murderous bastards. White I say, better a Detention Centre, even in Malta, than a watery grave. But people have rights especially to freedom of espression and choice. That they often make the wrong decision is still, I'm afraid, part of the deal. We all make wrong decisions in life and the worst ones are those taken on a capricious a whim (before anything thinks of shooting the messenger, I am of course not thinking of anyone one deserving of asylum. Most of these people who come our way do not need to leave Africa. And even if they did, how many are we (and a burden-sharing Europe that is not happening in any case) supposed to process, never mind give citizenship to?

@Emma Calleja (11th July 11:03). Point taken. Libya has never been, nor is, nor ever will be a land of milk and honey. Of oil, yes. We know that as many Maltese have a vested interest in the country, no matter the consequences to themselves and others. But Ms. Calleja, you are still ignoring the fact that Malta can not go on processing any number of people from Africa ad infinitum. I do not live in Malta but the thought has affected MY morale. Obviously you cannot see this. Good on you, woman!

@H. Meilak (11th July 08:36). Mr?/Ms? Meilak. You are right, this is no smiling matter. Shame about the Congo and the Congolese. It is not an easy country to live in I am sure, what with the killing of Christians and: (see link):

http://www.standard.co.uk/news/world/congo-warlord-thomas-lubanga-locked-up-for-14-years-for-recruiting-child-soldiers-7931844.html

I still think that Malta could not cope with processing the entire population of the Congo and the numerous countries like it. One has to be practical in one's thinking at least. Anecdotes to prop up one's opinion, Meilak, are all very well but one has to look at the wider picture. Congratulations Meilak, you have attracted some interesting feedback here that you could ponder over to your advantage. If Mr. Gatt lives in comfort that is his business and none of yours. I bet he worked for all he has, so.....?! Maybe Mr. Gatt has insights you don't have. Like for example, being concerned for the future of his country and the country his children, AND YOURS, will inherit. Just sayin'.@wayne scicluna (11th July 01:55). Well said. Tragedy, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.
@Louise Vella (11th July 07:05). Louise, do you think that Turu Rizzu could save himself swimming in rough seas between the North African coast and wherever? Otherwise, what you say is spot on.

@Francis Saliba M.D(11th July 06:13).. I admire your patriotism with the necessary hefty pinch of pragmatism. Thank you. May I add that if all this coming (and not going) and burden-sharing did come to pass, there is no guarantee that the project/the experiment will succeed. I very much doubt that it will in fact. And even then at a price too horrendous to ponder. Small countries like Malta will be hardest hit and will be the first to go. The good news is it will not happen next week. But in twenty/thirty years time?!

@Kenneth Cassar (11th July 09:24). International obligations are not worth the scrap of paper they are written on unless all concerned shoulder their share of the burden. Better still, the influx of adventure seekers - yes, this is what most of them are - should be told to grow up and act responsibly. Of course this won't happen. It is not part of the plan. Anyone who thinks that the powers that be are not aware of the human-trafficking phenomenon and how it is being worked, is simply naive. Unfortunately, tiny Malta is paying the price that is the role of the sacrificial lamb.

Darren Portelli

Jul 11th 2012, 16:01

Another irony here is that if a boat load of blonde female Ukranian prostitutes were to enter Malta we would gladly accept them.

Darren Portelli

Jul 11th 2012, 15:36

A century ago Maltese were migrating to North Africa. Here is one relocation of that period, notice the similarities to our modern day situation;
http://www.maltamigration.com/history/earlymigration1.shtml
"The impression given by Maltese migrants to Australia and North Africa was also unsatisfactory. The Tunis correspondent of The Daily Malta Chronicle wrote on August 9th 1913 about Maltese immigrants who arrived in groups, without having any shoes on their feet or jackets on their backs. In Australia people looked on the Maltese in amazement because they spoke a language nobody could understand. The same correspondent noted that the Maltese were known for their foul language and that the French in North Africa referred to them as swearers. One other nuisance which seemed to be associated with the Maltese abroad and at home was the habit of spitting which they seemed to be doing ail the time."

Darren Portelli

Jul 11th 2012, 13:56

A century ago Maltese were migrating to North Africa. Here is one relocation of that period, notice the similarities to our modern day situation;
http://www.maltamigration.com/history/earlymigration1.shtml
The impression given by Maltese migrants to Australia and North Africa was also unsatisfactory. The Tunis correspondent of The Daily Malta Chronicle wrote on August 9th 1913 about Maltese immigrants who arrived in groups, without having any shoes on their feet or jackets on their backs. In Australia people looked on the Maltese in amazement because they spoke a language nobody could understand. The same correspondent noted that the Maltese were known for their foul language and that the French in North Africa referred to them as swearers. One other nuisance which seemed to be associated with the Maltese abroad and at home was the habit of spitting which they seemed to be doing ail the time.

Mr Alexander Azzopardi

Jul 11th 2012, 12:47

jahasra ta vera, Ghalkemm miniex favur li jidhlu Malta .... Vera jidispjacini meta insir naf li jumutu dawn in nies fi vjaggi bhal dawn.

John Azzopoardi

Jul 11th 2012, 11:54

Every one has a duty to save these human beings if they are in sea danger, but then they must be repatriated immediately as Italy is doing. Malta is not a dumping ground. What is happening to Malta is that the Somalis are free to stay in Malta and we are creating a society within a society. This is not right. And on top of this, no other EU country wants them. They give a few euros here and they to make our politicians happy, but the vast majority of the Maltese and Gozitans are not happy with the situation. This is a threat to our society as we know it.

Louise Vella

Jul 11th 2012, 11:49

UNHCR and its Malta representative, the Norwegian Jon Hoisaeter, have an agenda. "Tripoli needs to be persuaded to sign up to the UN Refugee Convention and give free rein to the UNHCR to set up a proper structure in Libya". If not, Malta will continue to suffer the massive influx of illegal immigrants and carry their burden. So, the argument went, "Dr Mifsud Bonnici (then minister) must use the good relationship his government has built with the Libyan authorities to go on a political overdrive when he meets his Libyan counterpart in Malta". But ... problem! CMB is no longer minister and Libya has no wish to let UNHCR in the country. What will UNHCR do if it had a free rein in Libya? It could be holding surveys and sending out press releases telling the Libyan government how to govern. Hoisaeter has to keep on trying. In the meantime Libya can be helped if the EU gives it the means to secure its southern borders to stop the influx from sub-Saharan Africa.

James Dewar

Jul 11th 2012, 10:54

Sad though it is, these people and others before them are the "authors of their own misfortune" and the responsibility for their demise should not be passed to others. Strong and graphic campaigns advising them of the extreme dangers and likely outcome of such attempts should be mounted by governments or aid organisations in their own countries. Perhaps even a financial contribution to such campaigns from countries presently adversly affected by the influx of illegal migrants might be money well invested in an effort to prevent future arrivals.

Evarist Saliba

Jul 11th 2012, 10:09

Taking this report as correct, we learn that so far, in 2012

1,300 irregular migrants have reacher Italy from Libya,
1,000 have reached Malta,
170 have lost their lives, and
50 are still afloat having refused help offered by a Maltese patrol boat.

Malta's positive efforts are beyond reproach and out of proportion to its size and resources compared to other European countries.

And what is the reaction of the UNHCR and some NGOs? Constant criticism of Malta.
And what is the contribution of the UNHCR? An appeal which implies, without any edivence, that the shipping in the Mediterranean is not keeping the lookout necessary to help these irregular migrants.
Everyone else, except for the UNHCR (and felow travellers) are to blame.
A valid question to the UNHCR would be, "Is your attitude encouraging or discouraging this irregular dangerous movement across the Mediterranean?"

As for an initiative from Malta it should be noted that our initiative which led to UNCLOS III started in1967 but it took no less than 15 years to produce a result which still had to be ratified by individual nations, another long process. In the meantime, there was no loss of life as a result, or disruptions in the lives of people due to the illegal activity of others.

The problem of illegal migration supported by criminals for profit is with us here and now. What is required is action, not words. Even so, action implies resources and cooperation, commodities which are not always readily available, and in any case, which nations may wish to allocate to other causes.

What is definitely not required is any talk which encourages this illegal movement to carry on.

Andy Farrugia

Jul 11th 2012, 10:01

The UN in general and the UNHCR in particular are not fit for purpose. They have repeatedly failed to fulfil their mission. It is contradictory to condemn the fact that there are millions of displaced people around the world and at the same time aid and abet criminality through people trafficking. The UN and its constantly morphing bodies lack credibility and effectiveness. They have never solved any kind of problem in any country. It was mainly due to the military efforts of individual countries or coalitions of countries that some semblance of stability and order has been achieved in numerous countries. The UN is not fit for purpose.

J Degabriele

Jul 11th 2012, 09:29

While every single death is a tragedy, these people (most of whom are supposedly responsible adults) cross over the Med in the full knowledge of what they are doing and fully aware of the dangers they are undertaking. It is not fair that the responsibility of their death is laid on anybody' s shoulder. Witness the refusal lately of some of these immigrants who refused to come to Malta. Not that we can't do without all these numbers! What is Europe doing except bullying our tiny island into taking on this immense task that huge wealthy countries are ignoring?

Wenzu Vella

Jul 11th 2012, 08:47

Another mass drowning of people trying to cross in small boats for what they think it is going to be a better life. Just two weeks ago some 90 other people drowned trying to cross from Indonesia to Australia which the estimated drawings between these two countries this year alone are around 500 already.

How long this carnage is going to be allowed to happen. Who is responsible? Is it the people themselves for ignoring the dangers of crossing large stretches of water in open small boats when they know that it is highly dangerous? Is it the people trafficker’s greed assuring these people that if things go wrong they will be rescued? At the top of the list is the UNHCR because by its own doing is encouraging these people to
leave their countries under the pretence of being deemed refugees ounce they reach their destination.

The problem of people migration has become too big for the countries that are under a virtual siege. It is not enough to help just a few because they will keep coming. This is now a problem that has to be addressed by the UN to put on notice the countries that are refusing to take responsibility of accepting back their own citizens.

Dom.J. Bugejja

Jul 11th 2012, 08:44

Libya to Italy, i don't think they seem to like to come to Malta ,they bypass Malta altogether, most probably they prefered Italy, i wonder why?

Mauro debattista

Jul 11th 2012, 08:39

The United Nations is responsible for encouraging these crossings. Instead of finding a common solution. The people who work within the UN are paid loads of money. Shame on them.

O. Grixti

Jul 11th 2012, 08:31

Wow 1000 already in Malta this year and sent back NONe! While in Italy EU mainland only 1300, we are really doing a good advert to Malta with them by not sending them back.

To Mr Aleinikoff and UNHCR why blame it on vessels at sea, why do not you start a campaign in North Africa and show these people what they are going to go through i.e. High risk at sea, detention centers when they reach land as they are entering illegally without documents, maybe the risk to die with dehydration. These issues should be catered from the start of their journey and not just talks.

V. Cauchi

Jul 11th 2012, 08:13

Cyprus has drawn up plans to take in up to 200,000 refugees from the fighting in Syria, Greek Ekathimerini newspaper reports.

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite1_1_10/07/2012_451441

Is it not about time UNHCR in coordination with the EU take effective action on the refugee problem in the Mediterranean? Could not Malta spearhead such initiative with both UN and the EU in a concrete manner as it did in promoting the Law of the Sea Conference in 1967?

Andrea Gatt

Jul 11th 2012, 08:10

if they stayed in their country, they would still be alive :) i hope the other illegal immigrants who are thinking of coming here or Italy will learn the lesson !

joe briffa

Jul 11th 2012, 07:44

I will never believe that they cross from Libya to Italy with a dinghy,they are brought by a mother boat,I guess every person who has maritime experience will tell you how difficult it is to navigate without any know how of navigation to reach a small destination accordingly...especially when this destination is Malta,12 km off our shores you do not see Malta any more......

Louise Vella

Jul 11th 2012, 07:05

This is a tragedy," said T. Alexander Aleinikoff, Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees of UNHCR … "I call upon all vessels at sea to be on heightened alert for migrants and refugees needing rescue in the Mediterranean," said Aleinikoff.

If the facts are as reported, and if 54 persons actually died, this is indeed a great tragedy. But UNHCR should be sending strong messages to all the illegal immigrants waiting on the north African coast and telling them that the sea journey is very dangerous and that they should not take any risks, especially if the boat is overloaded and un-seaworthy, if they cannot trust the traffickers and if they cannot swim. UNHCR’s duty is to prevent tragedies from happening and this would be the best way. So far UNHCR has been making noises which, deliberately or not, encourage the massive influx of illegal immigrants from North Africa to Europe’s southern coasts. They take risks and, when something happens, UNHCR blames somebody else but never itself.

Steve Demicoli

Jul 11th 2012, 06:53

If the UNHCR wants to do something about this it should set up an office in Libya to prevent them from making this perilous journey in the first place not encourage them to do it and then "call upon all vessels at sea to be on heightened alert for migrants and refugees needing rescue in the Mediterranean," (Aleinikoff). What sense does it make to encourage them and then make a plea for someone to rescue them? Prevention is better than cure!!

Josephine Muscat

Jul 11th 2012, 06:27

UNHCR blatantly throws lies about Malta without undue justification and without solid proof. If there is one country in the world that has stood up to be counted during so many of such a crisis including the Libyan and also the current irregular immigrants,then that country was Malta
UNHCR would do best if it worked harder on the ground and stayed away from pointing fingers at minuscule Malta. It would to well to tackle this issue at source by going to Libya and having decent discussions and by having ALL EU member states taking the same burden.

Francis Saliba M.D.

Jul 11th 2012, 06:13

Before any "do-gooder" tries to pin this tragedy on Malta, the Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees should emphasize that this is the direct result of the refusal of the big countries of the European Union to accept compulsory burden sharing. It is not to be blamed on small hospitable Malta not providing a de lux version of an Al Catraz island prison, with all mod. con. to accommodate the refugees and illegal immigrants who are rejected by mainland Europe.

stephen koludrovic

Jul 11th 2012, 05:39

Total to date for 2012.

Italy 1300 with most repatriated.
Malta 1000 with none repatriated.

wayne scicluna

Jul 11th 2012, 01:55

"I call upon all vessels at sea to be on heightened alert for migrants and refugees needing rescue in the Mediterranean," said Aleinikoff. "The Mediterranean is one of the busiest seaways in the world and it is imperative that the time honoured tradition of rescue at sea be upheld."

And I call upon all migrants and refugees to stay in their country and thus will not require naval assistance. What cheek! These people invade our land, suck dry our resources, impregnate our women and then have the blatant cheek of demanding terms and conditions? One wonders how we would be treated in their country if the situation was reversed. Isthu jekk tafu kif. 54 dead is being called a tragedy......1000 landing here can also be considered the same. After all this is not a case of giving and receiving but just giving.

Chris Farrugia

Jul 11th 2012, 01:06

@ all those who try to promote a detention free period and 5 star service. Truth is, these immigrants are attempting to cross over to Europe despite knowing the unfavourable detention conditions in our island and thousands of them have died including children and babies.

B Attard

Jul 11th 2012, 00:15

Is this Aleinikoff encouraging illegal immigrants to cross over to Europe. He must be the first to give them shelter

John Azzopoardi

Jul 10th 2012, 23:50

May they all rest in peace. The blood is on those who are continuously encouraging illegal migrants to cross the see between Afirca and Europe.

MALCOLM SEYCHELL

Jul 10th 2012, 23:49

"I call upon all vessels at sea to be on heightened alert for migrants and refugees needing rescue in the Mediterranean," said Aleinikoff. "The Mediterranean is one of the busiest seaways in the world and it is imperative that the time honoured tradition of rescue at sea be upheld."


No, tell your friends not to leave. The arrogance of these people is incredible. He wants to dictate our policies. Go and dictate them in your country

B. Cachia

Jul 10th 2012, 23:29

While a big part of the responsibility is to be borne by the traffickers, and by the immigrants themselves (who, after all, took a conscious risk), I think that those who have done so much to pave the way for mass immigration in the host countries and (intentionally or not) have stregthened the incenvtives for these people to undertake the journey, must also bear their fair share of moral responsibility for this loss of life.

Jessica Smith

Jul 10th 2012, 23:26

As long as UNHCR continues to defend illegal immigrants and encourage them to take the journey and criticizes countries for not wanting them they were, are and shall be responsible for their deaths.

Alex Ellul

Jul 10th 2012, 23:05

This carnage must stop. The UN must stop all illegal migration by this dangerous method. If people need to migrate let them do this but safely on a ship or on a plane.

The UN must bear the responsibility of what is happening. People are dying needlessly because others are shirking from their responsibilities. Once these human being manage to land here we take care of them, we treat them well, giving them xhelter, food, medical care, jobs. However we cannot do anythiong and we cannot bear any responsibilities for the deaths on the high seas.