‘Malta hanina, hobza u sardina’. This idiom was frequently used in the 70s when the late Prime Minister Dom Mintoff broke ranks with UK and found comfort in the arms of the slain Col. Gaddafi, revolutionary leader of Libya. Concurrently, Mr Mintoff sought financial grants from communist countries. Since then most of the ex-communist countries have lost out to the power and will of their formerly suppressed people and opted for a democracy, though not all as yet. Many eyebrows, back then, not unnecessarily, were raised.
Locally, we have also made big strides forward. Human rights are well safeguarded in Malta. Fuelling and spreading hate and xenophobia are illegal and in violation of our laws also. This much is granted and agreed upon - no ‘ifs’ and/or ‘buts’. In this light, politicians should refrain from making comments which may spark intolerance towards coloured people, under one guise or another. Immigration is a very sensitive issue within various societies. Unfortunately in Malta it is not any different. Some tend to ignore the hardships and risks that those who flee from their homeland in search for a better future endure. The calm summer seas further encourage more to leave their beleaguered countries and seek a better future further north.
During the past days, the Labour Party must have lost substantial brownie points because of the mishandling of illegal immigration and Malta is now badly bruised. The PL has rapidly moved away from the sweet, measured, diplomatic discourse of the electoral campaign to actions which are very much reminiscing of the old MLP international failed tactics. To satisfy, hopefully, a very small segment of people within our society, the PL due to inexperience and haste has badly managed the issue of immigrants and has subsequently tarnished the credibility and reputation which Malta enjoys within international circles.
As was expected, in the past days Malta has suffered harsh criticism from various international organisations for the unwarranted push-back threat to the weak and vulnerable drifting to our shores with major risks to their lives. The Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s plans to deport migrants to Libya were foiled by the European Court of Human Rights. Malta is legally bound to observe, honour and abide by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Amnesty International has expressed its concern over the Maltese government's push-back policy. It implored the Maltese government to make an unequivocal statement, guaranteeing that Malta will never resort to push-back or collective expulsions and will take all necessary measures to ensure that any foreign national within Maltese jurisdiction will have access to a fair and effective asylum determination procedure.
It is during such circumstances that due recognition is given to the work of international organisations whose main responsibility is to detect non-observance and failure to abide and protect the dignity of all human beings irrespective of race, colour, gender and other differences. It is during such events that the sterling work done by these organisations is brought into the limelight.
Various international organisations are entrusted with the checks and balances and the remit to look into issues that are highly irregular and actions that go against the protection of individuals. Thankfully, these have acted promptly and effectively. The assertion that these international organisations are mostly in hibernation was proved wrong. Their prompt censure of Malta’s latest stand belies this.
Rightly so President George Abela, Archbishop Pawlu Cremona, Simon Busuttil Leader of the PN, Arnold Cassola Chairperson of AD all argued, with a fine choice of words suitable to the position they hold, a strong message to the Labour Party while the Communist Party publicly deplored any policy that denies the right of asylum to immigrants. Many NGOs, which I dare not name for fear of leaving some out of the ever increasing list, have made public statements against the push-back threat made by Government.
Lawyers, academics and authors also stood up to be counted. A deeply saddened Marlene Farrugia, Labour MP, did not mince words either and is planning to present a Private Member’s motion to set up a parliamentary committee on immigration.
Regretfully during this saga, at least at the time of writing and to my knowledge, the trade union movement, which contributes most of its energy to sustain solidarity at all levels, has kept a very low profile on this issue. If not through a joint statement, individual unions should unequivocally demonstrate their concern over the push-back policy which acted as a trigger to fuel racism and xenophobia. The trade union movement has an opportunity to express solidarity with people who are in search for a better future, while condemning government for using and exposing individuals to further risks. Malta should not act crass and callous by putting immigrants’ lives in jeopardy to stress a point within the European Union structures.
In the foreseeable future, as things stands in most North African countries, the immigration issue will continue to persist and solutions may be difficult to find. In this regard while Malta has the responsibility to shoulder this humanitarian task through open and meaningful dialogue with our partners in the EU should continue to seek to obtain further assistance.
In the meantime I think that an urgent meeting for the members of the Malta Council for Economic and Social Development should be convened to look into the matter closely and make recommendations to Government to better utilise Malta’s strategic position in the Mediterranean. Located between the southern part of the EU and the northern shores of the Arab countries Malta enjoys a strategic position which may be developed better to address the issue of immigrants.
It is time to think outside the box. It is time to reflect without the need to threaten immigrants’ lives at sea, alienate our counterparts in the EU or strain our relationship with our southern neighbours.
Can Malta rise to this occasion and fulfil the responsibilities of an activity hub in the Mediterranean that serves people irrespective of their colour, race or creed?
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