Thursday’s vote in the European Parliament on a resolution on irregular immigration is an important victory for Malta. For two years, Malta has been insisting with the European Union that it is not in a position to deal with the large inflows of immigrants from North Africa on its own. This island, the government has insisted time and again, has too many geophysical and human resources limitations.
The visit to Malta by a group of MEPs from the Civil Liberties Committee in March was a catalyst in producing an immediate reaction from the European Parliament. The six MEPs were given total access to the detention centres in Hal Far and Safi, where they could see for themselves the problems being encountered by the local authorities but, more importantly, the unacceptable conditions the immigrants were living in.
In a report drawn by rapporteur Giusto Catania, the MEPs made it clear that the conditions in Malta were unacceptable. However, they did acknowledge that Malta could not continue to accept more and more immigrants without being given some form of assistance, be it financial or technical.
Within days of their departure the conference of presidents of the European Parliament accepted to hold a debate on Malta’s immigration problems and a motion for a resolution on irregular immigration was drawn up by the six political groups in the Parliament.
As MEPs Simon Busuttil and David Casa said, this has truly been a Malta week in the EP. Not only have Malta’s problems being discussed during a plenary session but an EP resolution on the basis of this debate has now been overwhelmingly approved. The President of the Parliament, Josep Borrell Fontelles, told reporters this week that he would be using all his political influence to gain support for the resolution within the Council of Ministers and the Commission.
The parliament is asking that the burden of irregular immigration is shared equally by all member states and that adequate financial and technical assistance is provided to countries like Malta who are the first to receive immigrants from North Africa.
Of particular importance is the call for a revision of the Dublin II rule. As things stand today, the country where the immigrants arrive has to deal with their applications for asylum or humanitarian status.
The EP is suggesting that this rule is changed so that immigrants can be sent to other EU member states and that their applications are processed there. The EP said this would ease the burden on those states, like Malta, that do not have the resources to deal with the situation.
The resolution also calls for the creation of an emergency fund to tackle humanitarian crises of this nature and for an emergency mechanism in all EU funds that cater for immigration flows.
What does Malta stand to gain from all this?
Well, first of all, it is significant that the EP has taken note of Malta’s problem and ‘entrenched’ its views in a resolution. Second, the Prime Minister and Dr Tonio Borg are not a lone voice in the wilderness begging the EU for help. Now they have the backing of the European Parliament – the only institution with a mandate from the people. Third, there is irrefutable evidence that Malta is not making an unnecessary fuss and really is in need of help. Fourth, EU member states cannot continue to ignore Malta’s concerns any longer and, in a show of solidarity towards another member, must act decisively to find a lasting solution.
The government must play its part as well. It now has the opportunity to put pressure on the Council of Ministers to adopt the resolution, especially the proposal to revise the Dublin II rule. Dr Gonzi has been given a trump card and he must use it to Malta’s advantage to get help from the EU.
At the same time, the EP has made public our shortcomings as well and it is only fair that the government addresses these concerns.
Europe has an opportunity to tackle the problem of irregular immigration. It is up to the member states to share the burden and accept collective responsibility for what is, after all, a European problem.