Inflammatory and vulgar anti-immigrant comments on the internet could be a prelude to actual acts of violence, human rights foundation Aditus fears. Director Neil Falzon said freedom of expression did not mean individuals or groups could incite violence “and when this is racially motivated it is even more worrying”. The human rights lawyer was concerned that the police were not taking concrete, visible action against such comments, especially as they had received official complaints.
Two Maltese citizens who reported threats against them on an anti-immigration Facebook group last month have heard nothing from the police since November 24, when they received an e-mail saying their complaint was being investigated.
Maria Pisani and Ritianne Ellul made their complaint on November 21 over comments on the Daqshekk għall-Immigrazzjoni Llegali f’Malta (Stop to illegal immigration in Malta) Facebook page left by Facebook accounts using the names Nick Schembri and Mark Borg Borg.
Sometimes we feel inflammatory comments and attitudes adopted by politicians condone or even fuel racial hatred
Under a photo of NGO representatives that included the complainants, ‘Schembri’ wrote that “we should start by f******” their families. ‘Borg Borg’ replied: “These women deserve to be beaten with rods.” Ms Pisani and Ms Ellul also complained about posts referring to shooting all Muslims, which they felt incited racial/religious hatred.
The Sunday Times of Malta published reported the matter three weeks ago, the same day the police confirmed they were “mak-ing the necessary technical enquiries into the two reported Facebook accounts”.
This newspaper asked the police for an update on the investigation earlier this month but has yet to receive details.
Since the report was made, some of the 3,400 anti-immigration group members have continued to post vehemently anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim comments.
Just a few days ago, an account holder using the name Ivan Attard wrote: “Would have been better to burn six million Jews AND 20 million Muslims together.”
Politicians and NGO members who defend the rights of refugees and migrants are routinely referred to as “traitors” and worse.
When contacted by Times of Malta, Dr Falzon said he could not understand why no one from the government or the Opposition had strongly condemned this attitude.
“On the contrary, sometimes we feel that inflammatory comments and attitudes adopted by politicians condone or even fuel such racial hatred, reducing migrants and refugees to ‘burdens’ and ‘uninvited guests’.”