Thursday, 8th May 2008
Illegal migration
MEPs urged to block Return Directive
Opposition to European Commission proposals to fight illegal migration in Europe is rapidly gaining momentum.
Hundreds of immigrants yesterday marched in front of the European Parliament in Brussels calling on MEPs to dump the proposals, known as the Return Directive. The EP is expected to vote on the proposals next month.
Demonstrators carried placards against the directive calling it "outrageous". Pictures of detention centres where illegal immigrants are kept, including those of the Safi detention centre in Malta, were displayed.
MEPs from one of the political groups in the EP, the European United Left/ Nordic Green Left (GEU/NGL), also joined the demonstrators. Group President Francis Wurtz accused the EU of being a hypocrite when dealing with illegal immigration.
"The European Union is hypocritical on immigration, asserting on the one hand its need for migrant workers yet, on the other, refusing them entry into the EU.
"We are particularly concerned that the situation will deteriorate even further during the forthcoming French presidency," he said.
Giusto Catania, vice president of the Civil Liberties Committee of the EP, said the directive is disgraceful because it criminalises migration and sanctions administrative detention of up to 18 months for illegal migrants.
"The directive also establishes the possibility of deporting migrants to countries of transit, a principle that was condemned by the European Parliament some years ago on the occasion of deportations of migrants from Lampedusa (Italy) to Libya."
Meanwhile, amendments adopted by the Civil Liberties Committee last week will mean that the directive will not apply to illegal immigrants crossing to Europe from North Africa, as is the case with Malta. Speaking to a group of Maltese journalists following a seminar on the directive in Brussels, Nationalist MEP Simon Busuttil, also a member of the committee, said that, if adopted by the plenary and member states, the amendments will mean that Malta's policy on illegal immigration will remain the same as it is today.
Dr Busuttil explained that, according to these amendments, the directive will only apply to third-country nationals staying illegally in the territory of a member state and will not apply to illegal immigrants refused entry on attempt of irregular crossings. The draft Return Directive provides for the extension of administrative or judicial detention of illegal immigrants to 18 months. It also provides for a five-year ban from Europe for all people who have been expelled.
Malta detention policy currently caters for a maximum detention period of 18-months, applicable to all those entering Malta's territory illegally.
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Comments
The greens had Arnold Cassola taking part with an extreme left party contesting in Italy.
Many policies of the greens are close to the communists.
You had just to have a look how the greens spoke on immigration just 6 months before election and you would surely know that their ideas are close to what communists parties and their green friends in europe want.
The greens want a shorter detention period, claimed rights and more rights from immigrants(which by the way you pay from your taxes) etc etc
We also had Harry Vassallo claiming that immigrants costs us just around 50cents a year per citizen. Critisized the government for the state of detentiion centers when everyone knows that the centers are in good condition but almost on weekly basis some immigrants break up everything. He also said on TV that we should treat them as if they were tourists
AD should be honestly rewarded for their contributiion on environment, but thats all.
Europe still does not realise that everything has its limits. Neither Malta nor the continent itself will be able to handle or sustain this massive phenomenon.
Otherwise, they are going to make Malta itself a 'failed state'. Migration flows bring migration instabilities.
Even if one's simplistic thoughts lead him to think that Europe can solve the African problem, they will still continue to come, cause they are actually attracted by higher wages.
And not all Africa is in a mess. For example, in Sudan, only Darfur is problematic. The rest is a functioning country with its airlines etc. etc. Its not heaven of course, but surely one cannot expect that whole of Europe will fit all of Africa in it, just because there are economic differences.
Just out of curiosity, which is the maltese party you are referring to as extreme left?
The solution lies in helping them rebuild their countries and their economies by them giving them a fair chance in the global market. Meddling with their own political affairs and problems is not going to help either. African problems require african solutions. Therfore, Europe should pursue with its efforts to help these countries in building effective institutions to promote democracy, justice and accountability. Europe has a moral obligation to help these countries rebuild their infrastructure to give these pople hope in their countries.
I would like to make a final comment on the detention policy in Malta. It is not clear that the maximum period of detention for illegal immigrants in Malta is 18 months. In fact i know several immigrants who are currently in detention and who have been there for much longer than 18 months. Secnondly I believe that the detention policy is hindering the integration process and it is only serving as another brick in the wall between immigrants and the Maltese Society.
Your statement makes no sense, its just the product of PN's brainwashing.
SAME AS SPRING HUNTING HAS CONTINUED DR BUSUTTIL ?
An answer to all those who voted extreme left in Malta!!!