Emigrants' Commission calls for 'charity and prudence'

The Emigrants' and Refugees' Commission within the Archbishop's Curia yesterday said the problem of immigrants seeking asylum in Malta needs to be tackled with "charity and prudence".

It pointed out that racism did not fit in with the Maltese people's traditional values of hospitality and generosity.

"These values, together with a commitment towards social justice, should be expressed towards all human beings, and therefore without distinction," the Commission said in a statement explaining the Church's work with refugees.

Through its commission, the Church has been working with asylum seekers fleeing persecution for years, it said.

"Till 2001, the Commission - which works in close collaboration with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees - assisted 3,153 people from 37 countries who applied for refugee status and helped 2,271 of them resettle in other countries," the Curia said.

The Emigrants' Commission is presently keeping 367 people in its houses.

People from Bosnia and Iraq started seeking asylum in Malta for the first time in 1991 and 1992, but most had come to Malta with a regular visa and did not reach the islands in boats.

"The more recent influx, which includes asylum seekers of different nationalities, age and ethnicity who often arrive without an identity document, is much more complicated because it requires lengthy identification processes and space where they can be accommodated," the Curia said.

The Commission positively noted comments made recently by MPs that immigrants must be treated with dignity and should be offered the protection they need.

"We must seek help from the UNHCR and from other nations to continue giving protection. Those who are not refugees and who can return to their homeland should be encouraged to do so voluntarily," the Curia said.

The Church said it is understandable that migrants entering Malta irregularly need to be detained until their case for refugee status is heard, but a specific detention time limit should be established.

"Asylum seekers are not criminals and should therefore not be detained for longer than necessary. They must be treated properly during the detention period. It would be wise to separate those who are awaiting a decision from those who would have been refused refugee status."

The Curia said it welcomed the government's decision not to detain families and women with children.