Fighting racism

An ENAR report sees alarmist politicians, media contributing toward racism in Malta, writes David Lindsay:

A rise in right-wing extremism, alarmist and sensationalist language used by politicians and the media and a lack of effort in combating racism in Maltese society were highlighted this week in the European Network Against Racism (ENAR) shadow report on Malta. These factors, the report finds, have contributed to 2005 being characterised as a year in what had been latent racism in Maltese society came into the open, with far-right groups becoming more visible, organised and taking to the streets..

In Malta, the brunt of racist sentiment was borne by irregular migrants living in detention or open centres and those who have been given humanitarian protection status. The ENAR rapporteur for Malta, Christian Attard, who consulted with numerous local NGOs when drawing up the report, described language employed by some of the country’s leaders and certain sections of the media when addressing issues related to irregular migration as “alarmist and sensational”.

This has contributed to a state of affairs in which the public is under a number of misconceptions as to the origin of most migrants and the reasons why they are in Malta. The report points out, “ When riots or protests take place it is very easy for the public at large to perceive the detainees as ‘ungrateful’ or as criminals.

“One particular myth is that all refugees in Malta fled their country to escape poverty. Consequently, when they see some refugees, or sometimes even tourists who are black, wearing brand clothes or in possession of mobile phones, they resent this fact and conclude that these individuals must have abused Maltese asylum procedures in order to be allowed to stay in Malta.”

In this respect, the report noted that the importance the government has given to tackling irregular migration has not been complemented by adequate measures to combat racism and discrimination and increasing immigrant’s integration into society...