Nine cases of officers injured at Safi detention centre since 2006
The Prime Minister has listed nine cases of soldiers and other officials having been hurt at Safi Detention centre since October 2006.
Replying to a parliamentary question, Dr Gonzi gave the following brief description of each case:
October 25, 2006 - A number of migrants forced the gate of Warehouse 2 in an attempt to escape. A soldier suffered a serious injury to the middle finger of his right hand.
November 4, 2006 - A migrant escaped from C Block. A soldier ran after him and was assaulted. The soldier suffered slight injuries to his side and his uniform was torn.
January 29, 2009 - Migrants held a protest in Warehouse 2. A soldier was hit on the forehead with a can of shaving foam and was slightly injured.
March 30, 2009 - A number of Detention Service personnel were assaulted when they entered Block C to hand out cleaning materials. The migrants tried to escape and an officer was kicked in the face, suffering slight injuries.
April 6, 2009 - A Detention Service officer entered C Block to escort a nurse while she handed out medicine. He was hit on the chest with a pipe and suffered slight injuries.
April 16, 2009 - A number of migrants tried to escape from C Block and a soldier guarding the gate suffered injuries to the fingers of his right hand.
June 7, 2009 - A Detention Service officer was hit with a chair by a migrant who tried to escape. He suffered slight injuries to his right hand.
July 25, 2011 - A Detention Service officer was punched in the face by a migrant whom he was escorting to Mt Carmel Hospital. He suffered slight injuries.
August 16, 2011 - A Detention Service officer who was carrying out maintenance on the roof of Warehouse 2 was hit with a metal bar on his shoulder and suffered slight injuries.
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34 Comments
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Duncan Tanti
Jul 10th 2012, 16:11
Mr Ian vella you didnt understand my message.I meant that when the police press charges against immigrants they are only charged with minor offences but when an a crme or they say a crime is commited against the immigrants they make an endless charge sheet..
Russell Fenech
Jul 10th 2012, 14:29
I was thinking of applying for work asca soldier. But then i thought what if they send me to the detention centre? No thank you
Adrian P. Cassar
Jul 10th 2012, 20:34
Good thing Russell we don't need people like you to work as a soldier!!!
Kurt Waschnig
Jul 10th 2012, 14:25
It is unacceptable that soldiers and other officials having been hurt at Safi Detention centre since October 2006.
According to an Amnesty International report conditions in detention and open centres continued to worsen last year and migrants´human rights were still being breached as a result of the mandatory detention policy.
The Amnesty International 2012 annual report pointed out that the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights had criticised living conditions in reception centres for migrants, particularly in Marsa and in the Ħal Far tent village and hangar complex. The commissioner suggested measures to improve refugee determination procedures, called for a programme to address the social exclusion of migrants and others and for a strategy to promote local integration and combat racism and xenophobia.
Even. 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.
Detention officials must receive better training in order to carry out their unenviable task They face day by day the frustration of men who are incarcerated and angry.
The majority of illegal migrants risk their lives to cross the water in search of a better life.
After arriving in Malta they are brought to detention centres or better said “thrown behind bars” though they never committed any crime. Often illegal migrants try to escape wars and famines,
Migrants are kept for 18 months at detention centres.
Living conditions at detention centres are a breach of human rights. Life at detention centres is a living hell for migrants.
A breach of human rights can only be avoided by putting illegal migrants after arriving in Malta in non-custodial reception centres until their claims for refugee status are heard.
Non-custodial reception centres and treating illegal migrants with dignity and respect would ease tensions and gruesome incidents like the death of a Malian migrant would not have happened.
And soldiers and other officials would not have been hurt.
Violence can never be justified.
The living conditions in detention centres and the treatment of illegal migrants are a continuous breach of human rights and even Archbishop Paul Cremona and Gozo Bishop Mario Grech called on the Maltese to reflect on their attitudes towards migrants.
The bishops said:”“Racist or disparaging comments, speeches and behaviour go contrary to the dignity of humanity and the teachings of the Gospel.”
It took time till the Church raised her voice and expressed concerns how migrants are treated in Malta.
And it is very important the bishops called for a review of the detention policy.
Democracy is always at risk when there is a breach of human rights.
Amnesty International and other NGOs that look after illegal migrants will continue to raise their voices to protect migrants.
Best regards
Kurt Waschnig Oldenburg Germany
e-mail: [email protected]
Mr Kevin Zammit
Jul 10th 2012, 14:42
Please CC this to Angela Merkel. We need help here and are getting hoarse trying to get the message across
Thanks
Kevin Zammit
South End Malta
Steve Demicoli
Jul 10th 2012, 14:51
How about a deal Mr Waschnig?
If you take them to your home town (Oldenburg) until their identity and hence status is able to be determined you could set them all free (out of detention) to roam Oldenburg and then once their ID and status is determined you could send them back. That way there is n breach of human rights or abuse of our security officers?
Matthew Camilleri
Jul 10th 2012, 14:53
As far as I am concerned getting into a country illegally is a crime.
Peter Camilleri
Jul 10th 2012, 21:07
@Kurt Waschnig
Once again, when are you going to stop poking your unwanted nose into other peoples' affairs?
Charles Zammit
Jul 10th 2012, 14:14
Top right hand corner of picture the man seems to be throwing a sugary doughnut !!!!
Joanne Micallef
Jul 10th 2012, 13:57
I think we would hear some very disturbing facts if the AFM personnel or their families were allowed to speak freely as to what they encounter everyday whilst taking care of the detention centre.
Kurt Waschnig
Jul 10th 2012, 13:04
It is unacceptable that soldiers and other officials having been hurt at Safi Detention centre since October 2006.
According to an Amnesty International report conditions in detention and open centres continued to worsen last year and migrants´human rights were still being breached as a result of the mandatory detention policy.
The Amnesty International 2012 annual report pointed out that the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights had criticised living conditions in reception centres for migrants, particularly in Marsa and in the Ħal Far tent village and hangar complex. The commissioner suggested measures to improve refugee determination procedures, called for a programme to address the social exclusion of migrants and others and for a strategy to promote local integration and combat racism and xenophobia.
Even. 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.
Detention officials must receive better training in order to carry out their unenviable task They face day by day the frustration of men who are incarcerated and angry.
The majority of illegal migrants risk their lives to cross the water in search of a better life.
After arriving in Malta they are brought to detention centres or better said “thrown behind bars” though they never committed any crime. Often illegal migrants try to escape wars and famines,
Migrants are kept for 18 months at detention centres.
Living conditions at detention centres are a breach of human rights. Life at detention centres is a living hell for migrants.
A breach of human rights can only be avoided by putting illegal migrants after arriving in Malta in non-custodial reception centres until their claims for refugee status are heard.
Non-custodial reception centres and treating illegal migrants with dignity and respect would ease tensions and gruesome incidents like the death of a Malian migrant would not have happened.
And soldiers and other officials would not have been hurt.
Violence can never be justified.
The living conditions in detention centres and the treatment of illegal migrants are a continuous breach of human rights and even Archbishop Paul Cremona and Gozo Bishop Mario Grech called on the Maltese to reflect on their attitudes towards migrants.
The bishops said:”“Racist or disparaging comments, speeches and behaviour go contrary to the dignity of humanity and the teachings of the Gospel.”
It took time till the Church raised her voice and expressed concerns how migrants are treated in Malta.
And it is very important the bishops called for a review of the detention policy.
Democracy is always at risk when there is a breach of human rights.
Amnesty International and other NGOs that look after illegal migrants will continue to raise their voices to protect migrants.
Best regards
Kurt Waschnig Oldenburg Germany
e-mail: [email protected]
Steve Demicoli
Jul 10th 2012, 14:54
We would really love it if your government were to offer them all safe haven in Germany until their identity is determined. That's a nice offer from your end. I'm sure the Maltese people would appreciate!!
P. Attard
Jul 10th 2012, 17:49
Amnesty Int will keep on protecting the rights of the migrants, Kurt tells us! I insist that, first of all these are ILLEGAL migrants, no matter what you say; and then we, as Maltese citizens, will continue to fight for our national integrity and independence, thank you!
Evarist Saliba
Jul 10th 2012, 19:07
What exactly is the meaning of "non-custodial reception centres"?
Is it the same as "non-custodial detention centres"?
If not, what exactly is the difference?
How will they be run?
What facilities should be provided?
If an inmate decides to leave,permanently or temporarily, such a centre will s/he be free to do so?
B Grech
Jul 10th 2012, 12:44
Thats funny so many incidents and yet I don t recall Graffitti and its ilk protesting any of them. Perhaps I m suffering from Amnesia. To quote Freddie Portelli Viva Malta u l Maltin
Matthew Camilleri
Jul 10th 2012, 12:18
I'm just wondering: what would happen to me if I go to USA illegally, stating that I am afraid to live in Malta because of my political alliances. Woould they treat me the same way as we are treating these immigrants, i.e. give them a palce to stay and food, and even some money? What would happen to me if I attack a guard with a emtal bar? I think I would be shot down immediatly!!
Peter Saliba
Jul 10th 2012, 12:26
Exactly my thoughts!
victor bonello
Jul 10th 2012, 12:43
Eaxctly. but be careful before you state something similar because you will be classified racists.
Mr Kevin Zammit
Jul 10th 2012, 12:44
In the US my 70 year old mother was stopped and not allowed to cross the border from Canada even though I, my wife, 2 kids had full right to go visit an uncle! It was a mistake on our part but there you have it. Law is law they said and she had no permission to visit the country ... and maybe steal some ones job?
and we drove back to Toronto ... 4 hours drive each way!
hehe .. maybe I should have tried to hit the officer with a metal bar ... then again in the US they would shoot me dead ... and it would be my fault.
Really! Honestly! get real people! These officers in Malta need more protection not the immigrants!
Can you imagine one of them has an undetected disease an bites an officer's hand? Who will take care of his children then eh?
Andrea Gatt
Jul 10th 2012, 12:46
and if you go to africa?
Adrian P. Cassar
Jul 10th 2012, 16:09
You can type the word illegally a million times Matthew, you can type it in block letters too if you want. But in the end of the day the great majority have NOT entered Malta illegally according to Maltese law!! Our laws enable anyone to come to Malta and ask for refugee status.
Mr Daniel Jones
Jul 10th 2012, 12:12
How does this compare to injuries suffered by detention service personnel at Corradino or Mount Carmel forensic unit?
victor bonello
Jul 10th 2012, 12:44
does it really make a difference?
pat muscat
Jul 11th 2012, 09:43
My nephew was not allowed to cross over from Canada to the US when he was a bona fide student in Canada. The border guards wanted him to get an American visa which costs quite a lot. When he applied the US would not give him a visa because he had no home in Canada; because he had no savings bank account, just a current account-even though he was an Malta University exchange student ; actually he was considered a potential burden on American tax payers!
Duncan Tanti
Jul 10th 2012, 12:10
The injuries on the maltese people are all slight....on the immigrants all severe!!!!does it mean we are a super race???
Ian Vella
Jul 10th 2012, 12:33
It's the intention that counts... hitting someone with a chair or metal bar don't count as slight injuries!! - it's only by sheer luck that no soldiers/detention officers haven't yet been killed or seriously injured.
ps: What if that soldier/ detention officer was you, your son or your father?
Guido Farrugia
Jul 10th 2012, 16:14
We are not a super race but reside legally on our land. Why should our people, bread winners, law abiding citizens get hurt by illegal immigrants?
Charlot Attard
Jul 10th 2012, 12:08
Did the NGO's take note of these assaults ...?
Mario Vella Laurenti
Jul 10th 2012, 12:07
Were all these offenders arrested and brought to justice?
Mr Kevin Zammit
Jul 10th 2012, 12:02
is it not wonderful? An officer is hit with a metal bar and they are slight injuries ... an immigrant is manhandled and they are severe!
I really would not like to be in the boots of the security here .. I support them one hundred percent no matter what!
Dennis Zammit
Jul 10th 2012, 12:17
Maybe the immigrant just tickled the office with a metal bar !!!
I presume that even just letting a metal bar fall on one's foot, it would cause a serious injury.
Louise Vella
Jul 10th 2012, 11:54
Considering that we never invited these people to come to Malta and that we are forced to extend to them our humanitarian charity - this is a bit too much!
Charles Mifsud
Jul 10th 2012, 12:31
And how many of these are working leagaly
Just visit Marsa Crossroard before 0700Hrs and you will know.
Tony Zammit
Jul 10th 2012, 14:39
“Charles Mifsud”
A member of my family was helping his friend in laying down the membrane on his roof, Inspector from labour office called him down from the roof and wanted to know if he was registered as his friend’s employee. He wasn’t working for any money just returning favors, what are friends for after all.
Like to know how many of these Marsa Crossroard residents, living there for free are actually contributing in taxes.
What a joke … I CALL THIS DICRIMINATION?
Please choose the reason of your report below: