AN insists: Open centres will be closed if there is no EU help
Azzjoni Nazzjonali insisted today that it will work for the closure of open centres if the EU does not help Malta deal with illegal immigration. The party has been in the eye of a storm after its deputy leader, Anglu Xuereb, produced a billboard...
Azzjoni Nazzjonali insisted today that it will work for the closure of open centres if the EU does not help Malta deal with illegal immigration.
The party has been in the eye of a storm after its deputy leader, Anglu Xuereb, produced a billboard promising to close the Balzan open centre (see separate story and comments)
In its statement AN said:
"It is no secret, indeed it has been promised in the AN electoral manifesto, that unless the EU translates some of its promises into action within a stipulated time, AN will take unilateral action with regards to illegal immigration.
A government's first duty is to protect its citizens and not to practice charity. The state is not a philanthropic organisation.
If this EU aid is not forthcoming, one of the unilateral measures outlined in our manifesto is the closure of open centres, and the Balzan Open Centre is no exception. Those who equate the closure of the Balzan open centre with the closure of private property are being disingenuous.
AN in government will simply disallow the use of property, be it private or public as open centres.
It is here pertinent to ask whether, any applications for a change of use have been submitted to Mepa on behalf of the Good Shepherd's home? Have any permits been granted? Such a change of use normally entails consultation with local residents and a social impact assessment exercise. Were these ever carried out? If not, why?
Has anyone asked the residents of Balzan, and for that matter, those of Marsa, Safi and elsewhere, 'how they would feel' living in proximity of an Open Centre? Do our people have the freedom and the right to determine the nature of their environs? Or have they already been reduced to 2nd class citizens, in a country where the rights of Illegal immigrants seem to come before their own?
Azzjoni Nazzjonali is the only party that heeds and voices the real concerns of our citizens and Illegal immigration remains a top concern even though the other parties choose to ignore it.
Azzjoni Nazzjonali is serious about tackling Illegal immigration and makes no apologies about it."