Though irregular migration at the moment isn’t hitting the headlines as frequently as it did in the recent past, the circumstance still exists, as does also the trend that Libya’s name seems always to be mentioned as the country connected with the phenomenon.

Though irregular migration at the moment isn’t hitting the headlines as frequently as it did in the recent past, the circumstance still exists, as does also the trend that Libya’s name seems always to be mentioned as the country connected with the phenomenon. This was much propagated recently during a discussion programme on a local television station by one of the members of the panel. But facts show otherwise. Facts also show that irregular migration is not coming only from Libya. It is therefore high time that some explanation be put forward on the matter.

Migration illegal or otherwise has been in existence since time immemorial as people crossed borders for one reason or another. Most recent history registered an upsurge in irregular migration that took place with the fall of Communism. Western European States were suddenly beset by the phenomenon of irregular migration. We all remember the dramatic scenes on TV of hundreds of Albanians trying to enter Italy by land and sea. We have been forever hearing of cases of other irregular migrants trying to enter France, Spain and Great Britain, hidden away in trailers or trains, some ending their journey squashed between merchandise or suffocated due to lack of air. We in Malta had our share of this phenomenon as well. We all remember the scores of Albanians on board a ship that berthed in St Paul’s Bay, and of others.

It was the time when people were emigrating from most of the eastern block countries, but the finger was mainly pointed at Albania from where a lot of irregular migrants were trying to get into neighbouring Italy. In numerous cases, Albania was also being used as a stepping-stone into Italy and other neighbouring countries.

Later, European countries were beset by another type of irregular migration; that of Arab and African nationals, who try to cross the Mediterranean basin into Europe, packed into overloaded and ramshackle boats. European States, especially Italy, Greece, Spain and France and others bordering the Mediterranean, bore the brunt of this exodus as their police and armed forces were engaged in one way or other in this phenomenon, either watching out for landings by irregular migrants or going out to aid others in danger, or investigating those making money from such trafficking. And Malta, geographically situated in the middle of the Mediterranean, was immediately affected by all this turmoil and had to carry the great burden. So much so that Malta repeatedly asked for European help and the situation became so precarious that the authorities had even sought the help of the United Nations.

With such a situation besetting most the European States, it was easy to pick out and point a finger at a particular country. A few years ago it was Albania and now it is Libya. Because most irregular migrants when caught said they had come from Libya, and because of this country’s geographical position and expansive shoreline, Libya now is being looked at as the main source from where these irregular migrants leave. But facts show that irregular migrants are leaving from other Arab countries as well. For example, a Reuters’ report had stated that each year, 40,000 people risk crossing from Morocco to Europe in search of a better life and that hundreds of them drown on the way.

It is easy to harangue a country and just blame it for a problem and stop there. This kind of reasoning doesn’t affect a solution. The seeking of a solution should be to understand the problem, understand the other’s position and try to find a solution. It is therefore high time that Libya’s position in this set up be factually known so that one can come to comprehend the situation and work towards achieving results. Because far from being the perpetrator that most are making Libya to be, this country is actually the victim of these circumstances.

In fact, long before irregular migration became a problem for European states, it had beset Libya for ages. Libya has had to contend and cope with a great number of irregular migrants who used to slip into the country from African states and the countries on its borders, some escaping the troubles in their country of origin and others drawn by Libya’s ongoing development. Placed at the tip of the African continent, Libya has always been considered as the gateway to Africa by Mediterranean Europe and it has always been the obvious choice for African natives seeking a better living. Historically, it is also known that tribes crossing the desert used to settle on the outskirts of Libya, merging with the local population and by time became Libyan nationals. Such examples are Tuareg tribes still existing in some parts of Libya’s vast landscape.

In more recent years another type of irregular migration into the country of Libya, emerged. Just after the First of September Revolution of 1969 under the leadership of Colonel Mu’ Ammar El Qathafi, the country was going through a rapid rate of development in housing, construction, infrastructure, education, agriculture and other spheres. This development attracted labourers from both African and Arab States on the borders of Libya and these would cross over to seek work and a better living. Because of its rapid development, Libya offered a lot of employment and most of these emigrants were absorbed in the workforce of the country. During my visits to Libya, I also used to see throngs of these natives lining the main thoroughfares. Most would exhibit tools pertinent to their trade or things they could work at. People in need of plasterers or maintenance work for example would stop, negotiate with them and then take them in their car to the place where their work is needed. Going around the same places some hours later, I noticed that their numbers had dwindled or they weren’t around anymore, meaning that they all had been picked up for some job. Others were lucky enough to get more permanent jobs on farms, road works, construction work and factories. The development that Libya was going through was able to contain this influx of foreign labourers and these were easily absorbed by a thriving economic and industrial development.

But then there was also another type of influx of other foreigners, the actual refugees. Turmoil and wars in many African states just after acquiring independence from colonial rule made people run away from their country and seek refuge somewhere else. For most the obvious choice was Libya both because of its proximity to these African states and also because of its ongoing development. The characteristics of the Libyan nationals − hospitality and adherence to religious observance and obligation − catered for the needs of these people. At that time these refugees were assembled in refugee camps in parts of Libya and offered food and shelter. I had come across such camps when travelling around Sebha. Later the number of these actual refugees decreased and most camps do not exist anymore.

Another development in the recent history of Libya also had an effect on the issue of irregular migration. Hit by an economic embargo and an adverse campaign against it, Libya has gone through some hard times. The country could not continue to absorb all these foreign emigrants. Besides which, these foreign intruders themselves did not want to stop in Libya anymore even now that Libya is again prospering. This resulted in the phenomenon of people trying to cross over to Europe. Today, all of them are using Libya, just as they use other countries along the Mediterranean shore for that matter, as a stepping stone to Europe with the hope of good prospects and a better future. Being considered the gateway to Europe, Libya is today bearing the brunt of the influx of irregular migrants who yearn to cross over to European states and a better life.

The geographical position of Libya not only serves their purpose but the vastness of the country with the most part desert and wilderness, and the huge expanse of shoreline, makes it ideal for getting into and for making a getaway. It is one thing controlling borders between hills and valleys and quite another controlling vast desert wilderness and an extensive shoreline. Libya has a coastline of around 2,000 kilometres and is not in a position to control every person that tries to get out of the country. One does all that one can but one can never achieve 100 per cent success because there will be always somebody who gets away. But notwithstanding all this, Libya is doing all it can to tackle this problem. Libyan coastguards have succeeded several times in stopping irregular migrants who were trying to leave Libya by sea. Above all, Libya is cooperating with European states and neighbouring countries, prominent, among them Malta, to try to come to terms with this devastating situation.

And on its part, Malta’s position vis-à-vis its close and staunch neighbour, Libya, is correct. In the circumstances, Malta has shown a genuine understanding of Libya’s situation, and has drawn attention to its situation in international fora, urging the lifting of the arms embargo so that it could procure the necessary equipment to fight against irregular migration.

Malta has not only discussed and held meetings with Libya, but it has sought to draw the interest and aid of the European Union States and has been pushing them to intervene by emphasising the importance of states to work together to combat the phenomenon of irregular migration which is affecting most of the European states.

That Malta’s efforts are making an impact was evidenced by the declaration made recently by the President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, while on a visit to Malta. Mr Buzek pledged his support to Malta in its efforts to ensure that irregular migration is treated as a common responsibility within the EU. This pledge by the President of the European Parliament is surely the right way to look at the problem of irregular migration and it augurs well for a genuine effort to tackle this issue and to shatter the image that this problem is connected to any one country.