Ħal Far Riot Was ‘Pre-Planned’: Fed-Up And Angry Staff Demand Drastic Change And Proper Protection From Government
The riot at the Ħal Far Open Centre was pre-planned, angry staff of Malta’s open and closed centres claimed in a protest calling for an end.
It was also revealed that a member of staff was injured during last night’s riot, which was started by one individual, but led by a group of Sudanese men, according to staff present.
The same group, the staff said, were also responsible for a similar riot which took place a few weeks ago.
Staff members gave endless accounts of the daily abuse many of them suffer, with insults, food and punches often hurled at the employees.
Fed up and tired of their predicament and the constant fear of their safety, staff of detention centres across the island marched towards the Ministry for Home Affairs to demand a drastic change in the system.
“What are they waiting for? One of us to die? It’s a ticking time bomb,” one member of staff said.
The number of armed forces and officers at the facility appears to be a major issue, with some areas reportedly having one maybe two securely personnel on the floor, despite the massive number of residents.
“We have about 1,400 people in there, we cannot take any more,” a support worker explained
NGOs were described as ‘meddling’ groups who interfere with the centre to the detriment of their work.
“I’m a support worker, do you know how many people refuse to listen to me because of what an NGO has told them?” a person said.
“I’m a support worker, and whenever I touch them they tell me I’m not allowed and that authorities need to educate Maltese staff better,” he said.
“They even say that they hate Malta and that the country does nothing for them, after everything we do,” said another.
Last night, a riot at the detention centre saw three police cars set on fire, with an officer also slightly injured in the disturbance.
It has been reported that at least five cars belonging to employees and a number of rooms were also set on fire.
Net News reported that the riot could have involved at least 1,000 people. Police were unable to confirm the total figure, but said there were “quite a few”.
The incident was the latest in a series of protests and disturbances at the centre, with both residents and staff feeling the pressures of the under-resourced centre, which has seen a growing population over the last year.
The situation has only been further exacerbated by the increased number of arrivals since 2018.
“When we spoke to them, the interpreter said that it was pre-planned,” he said.
What do you make of these comments?
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