Fear of the ‘Dark’

As more and more migrants reach Malta’s shores, people in the streets keep on speaking on how the smallest European state may solve what Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg termed as a “crisis”.

Away from the Prime Minister’s Office; deep into the Maltese streets set ablaze by the summer heat; people seem to have a different opinion on Malta’s obligations towards irregular immigrants. The latter cross the Sahara Desert to reach the Libyan shores where there they board a boat driven by their hope towards a better future, possibly in mainland Europe. The former think – or rather, feel – resentment and fear at what they prefer to term as an “invasion”.

A feeling of fear in fact prevails amongst the Maltese population on the presence of more than a thousand asylum seekers, currently detained in Army Barracks in the major island of the Maltese archipelago. People’s views are shifting at great speed towards the racist and xenophobic attitude of the far right, as a survey published by The Times recently showed.

A thousand may seem to be small a number but when compared to a population of less than a 400,000 inhabitants and the arrival of approximately 4,000 immigrants in three years, the right proportions are assumed. But some citizens still argue that Malta receives more than a million tourists a year and, still, no one ever speaks of a tourist invasion or of a threat on the social fabric of Maltese society. Therefore from where is this ‘fear of the dark’ coming?

A look at the Maltese history and romantic mythology may provide us with answers. Malta experienced two sieges: An Ottoman siege in 1565 and an active participation as an important Allied Mediterranean naval base in the Second World War. The 1565 siege, dubbed by historians as the Great Siege, was mystified by Maltese romantic poets in the early 20th century. These poets praised Malta as a bulwark of Christianity against Islam. The enemy is depicted as evil while the Maltese warrior is seen as heroic. This idea – which managed to help Malta gain self-confidence - is deep-rooted into Maltese thought.

It is these thoughts that the Maltese far-right politician re-visits. Ironically enough, it is by means of the very same romantic poets that Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi makes his appeal for generosity and hospitality towards irregular immigrants. In fact, the romantic poet also praises Malta for its qualities of generosity and hospitality.
Therefore there may be a historical explanation to the problem Malta is currently facing whereas the myths perpetrated by the romantic poet have now become solid beliefs in some sectors of society.

Another cause to this ‘fear of the dark’ may be a great fear of the unknown. Having restricted access to all media, the Government has effectively permitted all detention centres to be enveloped in an aura of mystery – thus permitting popular legends on what happens inside to spread quickly. The hundred or so soldiers taking care of the asylum seekers are playing their part in spreading stories to their comrades whom they tell to their families. This is fast becoming an efficient network of misinformation where the immigrant is at times demonised.

Therefore I think that while the government is to continue implementing the measures it has announced, it should strive to embark on a serious information campaign where the plight of these individuals is shown and described. Furthermore the Government should make sure that press is granted access at all times to the detention centres in Malta. After all, this was a proposal in the National Conference on Irregular Immigration held in January 2005 – and like any other proposals mentioned, no or little action was taken.

In the meantime people remain scared of the dark.