A group of irregular immigrants broke out of Safi Barracks last Wednesday to protest against their lack of freedom. And where were they protesting? Gudja roundabout. They walked out in protest at their lack of freedom. Can someone please explain to these people that they are irregular immigrants, not regular ones, which means they are subject to the laws of Malta that regulate such people?

I fully understand their situation as they fled their country in search of better opportunities elsewhere. However, I expect that they understand that Malta, as a civilized country, has rules and regulations to treat such persons. Yes, their period of detention is too long, I agree. Are they cooperating with the authorities, giving them their true identity in order to facilitate the process of issuing documents? Are they fully cooperative? I don’t know. From what I gathered in the AFM ranks, I don’t think this has always been the case. There are genuine cases, but many others simply are not.

Anyway, 80 irregular immigrants walked out of the detention centre protesting against their long detention. Meanwhile, another group of around 150 (according to news reports) also tried to break out but were prevented by AFM personnel. Instead, they climbed onto the roof of the barracks and joined in the protest from there. The irregular immigrants were holding banners and placards that read “We are not criminals” and “One and a half years is too much” among others. Amid shouts of “Freedom! Freedom!”, the protesters also called for help from the United Nations, holding a banner reading “UN we need help.”

After some time, the authorities convinced the irregular immigrants to return to their quarters, and they did, calmly. But not before they had addressed the media. They claim that their main issue is their freedom. Besides saying that the detention period should be shortened, they added that they wanted to be allowed to work so that they could earn some money and they would then be able to return to their country. Should we believe that? If they fled their country of origin, why should we believe that they want to earn money to go back? They also stressed the fact that they did not want to remain idle all day, as they had no other activity other than playing football in the yard or watching television. What else can one do in a detention centre? What do inmates at the Corradino Correctional Facility do?

The irregular immigrants’ representatives suggested the creation of programmes or initiatives that would give them further training or education. There’s nothing wrong with this. It’s a good idea. Then, they also complained about the food, which is prepared by a private contractor. They claimed that whenever they required the services of a doctor they would have to wait for long periods of time, sometimes for around two months. While I cannot confirm nor deny the veracity of this allegation, such things are deplorable if they are true. While my fellow colleagues were listening to the needs of the irregular immigrants, some of them shouted “Mafia, Mafia” at journalists.

With such opinions I may be labelled a racist. Well I am not. I just want things to be done in the right and lawful way. If someone is irregular than he or she should be treated as such. But once the immigrants gain the right to live and participate in Maltese society, then they must be guided and helped, as many Maltese have been helped over the years in the different countries they emigrated to.