The daily flood of irregular immigrants into Malta is a national crisis, especially when many feel that Malta is not being given the right support by its neighbours in North Africa and southern Europe. The problem of illegal immigration is not only felt in Malta, but all over the world and has reached critical proportions. It is very difficult to cope with a situation that has become more serious and urgent, with thousands of people frantically seeking refuge from war, intolerance, corrupt governments, poverty and starvation.

Malta is the most southern European land in the Mediterranean, and especially since becoming a EU member not one day passes without the arrival of some boat carrying these unfortunate and desperate people. These immigrants face a difficult sea journey in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and their trip is full of different kinds of dangers. Many a time they need to be rescued from the sea, and as a result they need to be given all the assistance possible. There is no doubt that countries like Malta give all the help they can, as their common values is the respect for life. In this situation there are two sides to the problem, the illegal immigrants as victims of circumstances and the problems the host country faces when receiving them. Neither the small size of Malta nor its economic resources can deal with the high number of unplanned arrivals. Malta and other Euro-Mediterranean countries remain committed to protect and give genuine help to these people by offering them shelter and food. But, on the other hand, Malta, with its tiny physical space and limited economic resources, cannot become the victim of individuals who use these immigrants for financial gain. It is important for everyone to realise that this illegal act is putting the life of not just young men at risk, but also that of pregnant women and children. Strong actions against this illegal act should be taken in the country from where these immigrants depart. This illegal and inhuman act is responsible for the death of thousands of immigrants who have lost their lives in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. Notwithstanding this, hundreds of thousands of people are waiting on North African shores hoping that one day they will cross the sea to Europe, which they see as their land of hope.

Waiting for the assistance of the international community to help the countries of those seeking a better life in Europe will take ages to materialise. In the meantime, illegal immigration will carry on and the average person will not have benefited at all! The EU should definitely do more and better than this because the EU could work to achieve what Malta, or the southern European countries, cannot achieve on their own. The EU must solve the problem of irregular immigration at its roots in the African continent immediately. First by establishing camps to shelter them, thus keeping them safe from the dangers of the sea. Secondly, to generously provide them with food and water. Thirdly, the EU should import more products from African countries to help develop their economies. Maybe this is one of the immediate ways which one can tackle this problem, through the principle of solidarity.

In the July 2005 G8 Summit at Gleneagles, the leaders of the world’s richest and most powerful countries agreed to double aid to Africa and to make poverty history. They also promised to cancel the US$40 billion debt owed by the world’s poorest countries, but unfortunately the deal has not been concluded yet, as the process has been mired in bureaucracy and no start date has been set. Likewise, the UN’s 60th Anniversary Summit failed before it opened to reach any principle agreement on many important issues like the fight on world poverty. While little progress was made to tackle disease, environmental degradation and the formation of a global partnership for development and democracy, peace disappeared from the agenda.

The Maltese representatives to the EU Parliament should make their voices heard and make other member States more aware of Malta’s situation and the human tragedy of these illegal immigrants. Will the EU shoulder the responsibility with Malta? Will North African countries give Malta their strong support, or will they just try to please larger EU countries?

Moustafa Megawer

QAWRA