Your report European Network Against Racism (TMID, 20 October) refers to the ENAR Shadow Report 2006 on Racism in Malta but omits some key details. The first is that the shadow report is signed by Jean-Pierre Gauci of Amnesty International Malta; this puts the matter in its proper perspective.

The second is that ENAR Malta is made up of 10 NGOs, including the Jesuit Refugee Service, the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice and Moviment Graffiti, besides Amnesty International. This puts the report in perspective even more clearly.

Incidentally it can be accessed on: http://www.enar-eu.org/en/national/malta/Malta_2006.pdf.

The report’s 28 pages contain a summary of what these organisations have been saying and writing. One tries in vain to find anything new or original. Your reporter writes that “The ENAR Shadow report said NGOs feel that one of the key priorities is the need for the government to raise more awareness, with the aim of portraying migrants in a more positive light”.

This raises two questions. The first is that we keep being told that these people are refugees escaping from war-torn countries and that they are victims. Why, and how, have they all of a sudden become migrants? The second is: how can one see in a positive light people who arrive in boats, without documents or property and with the obvious intention of violating the immigration laws of the country they are headed for? It would be illegal for me to try and enter some country without a passport or an ID. For some countries I need a visa or a biometric passport. If I tried to enter without proper documents I would be seen in a negative light. Are these people any better because they have NGOs defending them?

Your reporter adds: “In its conclusions, the report said the government should also contribute more towards capacity-building for NGOs in the field, as they act as a link between government entities, international organisations and detainees”. In simple English this means that ENAR is asking the government for more money for NGOs.

That way they can increase their propaganda in favour of irregular migrants, in defiance of the will of the majority of the Maltese. More money will also help them write more reports like the ENAR Shadow Report. It is all a circle.

LOUISE VELLA

Mosta