There is a law in France which up to some time ago, said that any person who directly or indirectly, helped or tried to help the irregular entry, circulation or stay of foreigners in France would be liable to a term of imprisonment of five years plus a fine of 30,000 euros. The law was criticised for having created what was called the crime of solidarity.

In mitigation, amendments were introduced that for instance, no longer considered as a crime acts in support of illegal immigration carried out between members of the same family. Still, the constitutional court ruled that the law needed to respect “the principle of fraternity”. The most recent amendments approved last month therefore exonerated those who in their efforts to provide support to illegal immigration, are not doing so for gain but to provide support and advice on a humanitarian basis.

Curiously, the original sanctions of the law have only been removed for those who extend support that covers the circulation and stay of irregular immigrants who have already entered the country. The sanctions have all been maintained with respect to those who participate in the entry of irregular immigrants into the country.

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Tolerance for drugs

Publicly, we all claim to have zero tolerance for drugs. In practice its consumption has grown and is still spreading.

In some European countries, it appears that the younger generations are decreasing their drug usage contrasted to their predecessors. This is certainly not the case in Malta.

Ongoing accounts of what takes place during parties, public concerts and in pubs or discos indicate that drug use there goes on in full swing, and indeed is considered as normal activity. Even young people who are well underage can easily get involved.

Some “political” statements that were made about recreational drugs and their legalisation or almost, have not helped matters. The reaction of quite anumber of young people has been, so I was told, that since drugs will soon be legalised, there should be no problem to start freely consuming drugs as of now.

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Bullying

The views expressed by someone who should have known better, about the bullying experienced by the children of individuals active in politics, are incredibly shameful.

I believed a consensus existed in this country that the bullying of children is to be condemned unreservedly and in all circumstances. Not so, apparently: there are those who consider that the bullying of politicians’ children is an understandable phenomenon. Parents must take care and watch out for their children when they are affected by it.

Perhaps one can understand how this view has germinated, especially as it is addressed towards the families of Labour politicians and of politicians who seem to have broken with certain PN elites which have lost their past pre-eminence. The latter used to consider everybody else as children of a lesser god. Now they are terrified since they have found themselves relegated to that station.