Give refugees a vote and integration will change – Ahmed Bugre

Give refugees a vote, and integration will change because it will empower them to be included in society, Foundation for Shelter and Support to Migrants (FSM) director Ahmed Bugre said.

In the second episode of Indepth, deputy editor-in-chief Neil Camilleri welcomed Dr Ahmed Bugre, founder of the FSM, who is also involved with the Third Country National Network, an umbrella organization representing around 15 different migrant communities and groups.

Throughout the programme, they touched on issues such as integration, hate speech, and the recent incidents at migrant centres in Malta.

Bugre pointed out that “all the asylum seekers and refugees who have been given protection in this country cannot vote, not even at a local level. They are living within communities, working, paying taxes, contributing and yet they cannot even choose their local councillor.”

He accused governments of excluding them, and insisted that if there is no civil participation then they will never be able to integrate.

“How many Africans have you seen stand for elections? This is because they feel like they would be laughed at. That is what politicians know. All the Africans, refugees and whoever is here - at the end of the day they can protest, but they can never vote. And that is why people are emboldened to go onto social media and spew hate and nobody will prosecute them - because they have a vote.”

Bugre maintained that he does agree with the notion that refugees and migrants do not want to integrate because of cultural differences – “it is an excuse,” he insisted – noting that people must be accepted for who they are if they are to integrate.

“Include me in civic participation and don’t just use me as a worker and pay me fewer wages and not give me rights.”