Minister for Home Affairs and National Security Michael Farrugia said that his ministry has already taken “necessary actions and initiatives” in Marsa and feels that it was unjustly criticised for racial profiling .

This comes after Aditus foundation, an NGO that guarantees legal rights for asylum seekers and refugees had described the recent police raids in Marsa as “a radicalised approach further fuelling exclusion, marginalisation and division”. This month a number of police raids were carried out in Marsa and the surrounding areas, to ensure that any migrants were working lawfully and have all permits in order.  Aditus said that in Marsa police targeting immigrants and refugees are consequently calling it “racial profiling”. “The climate intentionally created over the past months is one of intimidation, fear and insecurity.”

However, Minister Farrugia responded in comments to The Malta Independent that in reality, police officials were targeting Maltese persons, immigrants and foreigners so as to enhance law enforcement. Minister Farrugia said that,“there have additionally been talks between the Ministry and various Local Councils to better understand residents’ concerns and take necessary action. Such initiatives and actions were already taking place, are taking place and will continue in the future.”

A protest, on Sunday, initially organised by residents, was to highlight the concern of the Marsa residents regarding the level of crime in the area, which they attribute to the highly concentrated migrant population. However mayors from surrounding areas, who had primarily helped to organise the protest, dropped out and claimed it had become hijacked by right wing sentiments. For the protest a few hundreds attended and joining the residents were former Imperium  Ewropa Leader Norman Lowell and leader of the Patrijotti Maltin, Henry Battistino. No other politicians from any other political parties attended the event.

Last Monday this newsroom contacted a number of politicians from both political parties to see why they did not attend the walk. Their reply was that although they understood and were aware of the issues and problems in Marsa they could not go to a protest which could have had right wing elements in it.