Irregular migration and Malta : addressing challenges through spatial analysis

Abstract

Since he came into being, man has always been on the move, migrating from one area to another in search of superior pastures to garner a better quality of life. Human migration can be broadly defined as the movement of people across space, encapsulating geographies of economy, culture, politics and gender amongst others. Owing to its relatively loose definition, migration has generated tremendous attention throughout history, shaping its trends through a plethora of movement vectors and policy instruments. Ironically, whilst globalisation has opened doors and liberated borders for an easier flow of goods and trade, nation states are becoming increasingly inflexible to the movement of mankind. This phenomenon, together with a growing disparity between developed and developing countries, has led to a new paradigm in movement, that of irregular migration. Shocked by the sudden influx of undocumented migrants from the south, countries lining the northern coast of the Mediterranean Sea have called for added help from their European neighbours. Malta, at the southern-most tip of Europe, is not an exception. Over the past five years, Maltese authorities have relentlessly called on all their partners to provide assistance in what has been deemed a genuine crisis. Policy instruments such as resettlement, burden sharing, and financial aid have all surfaced at one time or other as proposals on the benches of the European Union, the 5+5 fora and during bilateral meetings. Maltese society, on the other hand, is growing increasingly impatient with the continuous arrival of irregular migrants. Vague messages in the media and an unprepared homogenous society have been the two main factors in encouraging people to take sides in the debate, either condoning dislike to the immigrants, at times verging on racial hatred, or propagating extreme liberal ideals. The study has attempted to delve into the societal reactions towards irregular migration from a spatial point of view. Analysing the locality of Marsa, the study divides the town into two parts, establishing an opinion that can be assimilated to that of the general public, whilst probing the views of those who are situated in the vicinity of the largest open centre on the island. The study concludes by providing an alternative to the current policy of prolonged detention whilst proposing ways in which growing fear and xenophobia can be reduced among members of the Maltese general public.