“A resolution passed by the European Parliament yesterday deplored the conditions within European detention centres as ‘intolerable’, and also calls for asylum seekers to be lodged in open reception centres as opposed to within closed units as is the case in Malta, which applies an automatic detention policy.”

This quote was taken from the story “EP calls for frequent inspections of detention centres (TMID, 6 February).

Here comes big brother again. The resolution adds that the detainees (irregular migrants), should also be accorded “improved contact with the outside world” and calls for allowing regular visits, increasing telephone access and provide Free Internet Access, under certain conditions, and mass media access available in all the centres. Also, asylum seekers should be lodged in open reception centres as opposed to within closed units as is the case in Malta, which applies an automatic detention policy.

Now the last request – open reception centers – can be taken care of real easy. Instead of tearing down the Ghadira, Armier and other illegal buildings on government land, why not let these migrants occupy these buildings? They can enjoy the luxury all the EU proposal asks for, and more. They can also enjoy the island like tourists, well maybe except for the free internet access.

Sarcastic? Yes!

Well, there is always Kemmuna or Filfla.

Sarcastic? Yes!

But that is what the EU wants Malta to do. I thought we have a big problem with lists at Mater Dei, now add about 20,000 more people to that list, oh yes they have priority. Dr Gonzi and Dr Muscat et al, when are you going to put a stop to all this?

These people came here very uninvited and the Maltese people cannot absorb all this. Forget politics and start looking out for your constituents and fellow citizens. If the EU and the UNCHR want to help these immigrants, they should find a way to get them out of Malta and send them where they want to really go – and that’s Europe.

If the EU can force Malta to keep these immigrants, why can’t the EU force the other 26 EU members to do the same? Malta is only a stepping-stone they say, but none of the other countries want to take any of them.

Accommodating a few here and there does not solve the problem.

That’s like patching the potholes on the roads of Malta; the patch only lasts till the next storm. If these people don’t like being in detention camps, then they shouldn’t come to Malta.

Malta is willing to help but not being taken advantage of. This invasion has to stop before it gets out of hand and it’s getting pretty close.

As I mentioned before, the boats are getting bigger, more organised, the number of migrants multiply on each boatload and now we have organised riots.

Every time there is a riot, Maltese citizens, army and police risk their lives going in these compounds to quiet them down, not to mention the AFM personnel who risk their lives on the open sea.

Joseph Calleja

Manteca, California

USA