Fear has spread through the African immigrant community in the wake of recent incidents, activists yesterday cautioned, amid warnings of “institutional racism”.
Many crimes against immigrants go unreported
“Aggression towards immigrants is becoming widely accepted,” Moviment Graffitti’s Andre Callus told a sizeable crowd outsideValletta’s law courts.
The press conference was called by the Migrants’ Network for Equality and Moviment Graffitti, in response to the recent acquittal of a bouncer accused of killing a Sudanese man in Paceville in 2009.
The violent death last week of another Sudanese in the same area was also in activists’ thoughts.
Dozens of anti-racism campaigners stood on the steps of the law courts holding up the message ‘The real threat is racism’ and images of the victims – Suleiman Abubakar and Osama Al Shzliaoy.
Addressing the crowd, Mr Callus said the trial of the bouncer accused of killing Mr Abubakar was dominated by witnesses known to the accused.
The case “reflects a wider system where African people are treated differently,” he added.
Pastor Habtom, another speaker, said the justice system seemed to work against immigrants whether they were the victims or the accused.
“If an African does something bad it is in the newspapers the next day; if he is the victim, often you will never hear about it,” he said.
Pastor Habtom also complained that migrants residing at open centres are consistently refused bail if arrested because open centres are not considered a suitable address.
After the speakers had finished, several migrants told The Sunday Times about police reluctance to take action when Africans were victims of crimes, including assaults.
A Somali who was attacked with metal rods in Ħal Far in 2009 was cited as an example; the police had initially said he was run over by a motorcycle.
Others claimed a Somali was hospitalised after being badly beaten in Birżebbuġa recently.
“A combination of shame, fear and resignation that the police will not take their complaints seriously means many crimes againstimmigrants go unreported,” Mr Callus said.
Hassan Ahmed from Sudan, a friend of both victims, said Africans no longer feel they can rely on the law to protect them.
Several of those present vowed to never go to Paceville again for fear of violence.
“If we wanted to die we would have stayed in our countries,” said Somali Mohaa Aydid Abdi.
Naima Abdi said it was too early to say if racism contributed to Mr Al Shzliaoy’s death, but the migrant community was appealing for a serious investigation.
Among the crowds was a visibly emotional Marta Kaczmarek, the girlfriend of the well-liked Mr Al Shzliaoy, who had planned to attend yesterday’s event.
“I hope his death can be the beginning of a positive change in society. He always fought for equality. Now I must fight,” she said through tears.