The current crisis of irregular immigration has brought large numbers of boat people to our shores seeking refugee status. This has led us to examine a previously unanalysed facet of our national identity – are we racists?
Undoubtedly, as a small economy we cannot afford to be too generous to those who come uninvited to our shores. However, we know ourselves to be a compassionate people always willing to give a helping hand. As in every national debate, the views are varied and range from one extreme to the other. However, in this particular case I see one extreme argument that is particular dangerous.
The European Parliament election brought to the fore a candidate who had extreme ideas on the issue of irregular immigration and his suggestions on how to tackle the problem brought some light relief in the debate on directives and regulations. However, in my opinion, the comic approach to illegal immigration turned ugly when I noticed some graffiti that had the hallmarks of racism. I hear that this wannabe euro politician is paid to attend dinners and deliver after dinner speeches to amuse other diners – a stand up comedian. However, there is a limited group who has taken his stance to heart and has adopted a more menacing position. They have distanced themselves from the wannabe euro politician’s silly antics and organised themselves to present a “serious approach” when voicing their concerns about other races landing in Malta, draining our resources and living among us.
A recent survey on a Sunday newspaper confirmed that we prefer to have fellow Maltese as neighbours, rather than Chinese or Africans. I suspect that the real reason is that when we eavesdrop on other people’s conversations, gossip and arguments, we prefer to understand what they are saying!
Illegal, irregular and clandestine immigration is a hot, topical subject that has touched us all. This is in itself turns it into a political debate. We politicians want to show that we are on the ball where the people’s needs and anxieties are concerned. However, this case does not justify us taking a stance that will make most of us uncomfortable in any decisions we may take. The expense we are currently incurring has to be curbed, but sensibly curbed, and should not be used as an excuse to encourage hatred towards others.
Alfred Sant has thrown his hat into the ring, after a number of summer absences on the matter. Some time ago, the leader of the Malta Labour Party, confused as to what to suggest on how to tackle the problem, came up with the unique idea of having a national conference. I wonder how many internal national executive committee meetings the MLP had in order to come up with that one. The national conference was held, but the problem was not even partially solved. The illegal immigrants keep coming and the State is still the main financier. Ultimately, the grand idea of holding the national conference did not produce any results.
This summer, Alfred Sant, desperate to find something valid to contribute, came out with vague pronouncements, which have caused people to scratch their heads in bewilderment. He is quoted to having said that his party when in government will work in the national interest and that the national interest comes before anything else. Well yes. Isn’t everything that a government does, done in the national interest? What is Alfred Sant saying? Is he implying that the government is not working in the national interest, but in the interest of some other country or people?
More dangerously now, he is even suggesting that the national interest supersedes the protection of the fundamental human rights entrenched in our Constitution. I ask, is it not in the national interest to make sure that there will be no violation of human rights?
Dr Alfred Sant should know that racists use patriotic clichés to justify their actions. Any racist’s elementary manual would start off by saying that a racist should love his country and that the love of one’s country should supersede any other consideration.
By making vague declarations Dr Sant risks being misunderstood. My understanding might lead me to conclude that Dr Alfred Sant wants to be misunderstood and may want to appeal to a section of the electorate that has racist views, without spelling it out in order not to jeopardise the support of moderate thinkers. Is this the man who wants to be the next Prime Minister? The truth is the MLP has no idea what to do and if they are in government, they will act in the same helpless fashion they are accustomed to.
Once Alfred Sant said what he said, and did not leave any concrete proposal for the eve of the elections, he must now give his proposals in detail to avoid speculation on his intentions. He has a responsibility as a leader to squash any idea of xenophobia or racism in his ranks.
Racism is only one form of hate – an element we definitely do not need to nurture. The immigration problem must be tackled by working sensibly and responsibly both locally and in the international forum, as the government is doing.
Dr Malcolm Mifsud
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Dr Mifsud is president of the College of Councillors of the Nationalist Party and a candidate on the first district.