AFM's efforts to save lives commended

Louise Vella

Nov 11th 2012, 13:57

So now we know that, in addition to the Eritrean priest in Italy, these Jesuit organisations played a role.

Anthony Paul Naudi

Nov 11th 2012, 07:18

Li issalva hajjet haddiehor huwa dover sagrosant. Imma il-pajjiz jiflah ghal dan ? Il-membri stati tal-E.U. ghandhom ikunu ta' ghajnuna aktar u nhux ifarfru minn fuq splajjhom din il-problema u nippretendi li l-Libja wara ir-riskji li hadna ghaliha ghandha id-dmir li tghamel l-almu taghha biex issa tghin lilna u mhux tfarfar hija ukoll.
A.P.Naudi

Ivan Visanich

Nov 11th 2012, 07:09

One thing baffles me and I quote '' JRS staff were repeatedly contacted by relatives and friends of the migrants on board, who were frantic with worry about the fate of their loved ones '' .. What does this mean ? . How did the relatives and friends contacted the JRS as if all was planned for them immigrants to come to Malta ?.In my opinion this is just organised illegal migration and no more ..

Sammy Borg

Nov 11th 2012, 07:01

To all of you whingers read this link

http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/when-those-boats-just-keep-on-coming-20121110-29529.html

You have to only put up with it.

Darren Portelli

Nov 11th 2012, 03:56

Were there any blonde eastern europeans on the boat?? Because we in Malta love accepting immigrants only from eastern europe and especially if they work in the adult services trade.

Mr Michael Adamek

Nov 11th 2012, 03:33

Well done for saving these people. Now they should be given a good feed, some dry clothes and repatriated or sent to Europe. Malta cannot afford to keep these people-most of whom will rely on welfare and proceeds of crime to survive.

Anthony Mizzi

Nov 11th 2012, 00:04

Malta has a HEART, but what about a HEART and some burden sharing from other EU States?

Their silence is deafening!


The other EU States are not e tripping over themselves to come over help and save and re-allocate these illegal immigrants like a UNITED Community should do , a European Union!

We seem to be the only heroes around!

Paul Zammit

Nov 10th 2012, 22:49

This is a ridiculous situation ... why don't we just send a couple of ships and airliners to Africa and bring them over rather than wait till they get to sea and risk their lives? Is this what we are proposing?? well .. would be betta than playing this absurd role-play ...

Robert Callus

Nov 10th 2012, 21:24

Truth is that while many soldiers in the world are - voluntarily or coerced - spraying bullets on others, or harassing people to keep some regime in place, our own are out there saving human life. Something that both themselves individually and our country should be proud of.

I'm sure that our officers face many risks, but also get a lot of satisfaction from their job.

Paul Caruana

Nov 10th 2012, 21:20

When one considers the explosive population growth in Africa, together with the fact that most African countries offer nothing in the way of a safe and happy life for their citizens, I suspect we will be plucking many more illegal migrants from the surrounding seas in the years to come!

Sandro Pace

Nov 10th 2012, 20:28

The cost of doing nothing is unthinkable towards future Maltese generations, to which we owe our limited space. And to no one else. At this point, efforts on voluntary burden sharing will remain useless, and the government cannot hide behind it as if doing something. Neither is appeasement towards one size fits all EU laws. Politically, our obligations must stop at rescue and a temporary stay.

Sandro Pace

Nov 10th 2012, 20:13

It would be immoral and unthinkable not to save them. But it would also be immoral against the Maltese, their limited and crowded space, and the national interest, to let them accumulate here. Burden sharing failed and cannot be left to the whim of other countries. It may not remain a legal issue. Malta cannot settle thousands of them, even if EU law says so. It is a political issue of defiance.

Charles DeMicoli

Nov 10th 2012, 19:56

Rule number one should always be: save a human life. Everything else is secondary.

"“It reminds us to respect the dignity and basic rights of each and every human being in our country,” Fr Edgar Busuttil SJ, director of the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice added."

Amen.

Marija Falzon

Nov 10th 2012, 18:55

Great photo

Ramon Mangion

Nov 10th 2012, 18:55

Italy should see this and that Rai presenter who said that Maltese AFM shoots at migrants.,..

Joe Xuereb

Nov 10th 2012, 18:49

Has it ever occurred to anyone to ask they migrants by what arrangements they came to be here in Malta? Maybe they've been asked but we're being kept in the dark.
I'm really glad they were saved but my interest is still there. I don't think I'm the only one curious to know how these people end up on the sea asking for help. Jesuits priests sound very eloquent. Maybe they could ask nicely.

Manuel Zammit

Nov 10th 2012, 18:11

You need a very large doze of either madness or courage to face a journey like this with women and children in tow. It is a pity that such courage is not employed in trying to improve the situation in their own countries for the benefit of themselves and their offspring.

Charles W. Sammut

Nov 10th 2012, 17:54

Eritrea is a tourist destination. But you need a visa to enter the country.

http://www.traveleritrea.com/travel.php

Kurt Waschnig

Nov 10th 2012, 17:43

Innocent people including women and children faced the hell and feared for their lives. Migrants are driven by despair and hopelessness to look for a better life. They had to fight to survive in their countries.
These innocent human beings need dignity, respect and protection. It is the duty of authorities to maintain their commitment “to save human lives and to guarantee access to protection.

Alex Buds

Nov 10th 2012, 17:38

The AFM is made up of noble human beings who certainly deserve every commendation. They have my full respect and admiration for the hard work they do, day in, day out.

JRS, on the other hand does not. Their views on the immigration issue are at odds (to put it mildly) with those of the vast majority of the Maltese. It is all well and good to think of the migrants, but what about Malta's needs?

Kurt Waschnig

Nov 10th 2012, 17:30

The Maltese can be proud of the AFM and the Jesuit Refugee Service Malta and the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice for their work. It is one of the most important human traits to see the needy and the weak and to help them.
I appeal to the AFM and the Jesuit Refugee Service Malta and the Jesuit Centre for Faith to continue with their efforts to help migrants. Thank you!

Charles J. Buttigieg

Nov 10th 2012, 17:27

Too true JRS,but is it not also true that our resources are being stressed to the limits while our supposedly E U Partners are shrugging off their burden sharing commitments?

N. Agius

Nov 10th 2012, 17:26

No one doubts that these people need help ... but back in their own country... not here. In a few decades, there will be more people of ethnic origin than Maltese. It will be the fault of helpless politicians like the ones we have today.

Kurt Waschnig

Nov 10th 2012, 17:25

Yes in order to rescue migrants arm forces personnel risked their lives and they showed determination and compassion. And indeed the AFM should be taken as a shining example for all to follow.
Thank you Fr Edgar Busutti SJ, for your words “It reminds us to respect the dignity and basic rights of each and every human being in our country,”

Jimmy Magro

Nov 10th 2012, 17:25

Very simple: those that are encouraging more illegal immigrants into Malta and Europe are part of an international gang engaged in the illegal human trafficking business. Furthermore they are using the illegal immigrants for exploitation, cheap and precarious employment, and degrading living conditions. The solution is to convince these persons that their livelihood is in their homeland.

Marita Magro

Nov 10th 2012, 17:25

i think thse are stillhumans ... but will the situation be sustainable since we are stretchhing our resoursces of this tiny island to the limit as regarding ti space and hotimg of these individuals ?

joseph green

Nov 10th 2012, 17:25

Alla ghad jippremja lil dawk kollha li qed isalvaw mijiet ta nies innocenti min gharqa certa . Posit u keep it up.

Matt Azzopardi

Nov 10th 2012, 17:09

Thanks for the commendation

Now,......

what about a contribution, be it financial, lodging, feeding, caring, & facilitating repatriation?

D Smith

Nov 10th 2012, 17:01

Congradulations go out to the AFM and the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice for the brave rescue and support services provided to these desperate refugees. We must not loose sight of the fact that these are human beings, who must be facing horrible times in their homelands in order to risk their lives in this type of dangerous trip to safety.