Updated: Medicins Sans Frontiers ends activities at detention centres - Ministry's reaction

The Ministry of Home Affairs this afternoon expressed regret that Medicins Sans Frontiers (MSF), the international aid organisation, had decided to stop its activities at Malta's detention centres.

The ministry said it had been informed of the decision some hours ago.

"As recognised by Medicins Sans Frontiers in its letter to the ministry, conditions at the detention centres improved in the past few months, thanks to the efforts made by the governemnt and MSF itself.

"It is therefore difficult to understand how Medicins Sans Frontiers has chosen to stop its activities after six months of work, instead of continuing its important contribution for the situation to continue to improve," the ministry said.

MSF had been providing assistance by doctors and nurses since July last year, when a one-year agreement was signed with the Maltese government.

No official reason for the decision to stop was given by MSF, but the organisation is understood to be disappointed by conditions in the detention centres. It is to hold a press conference tomorrow - coinciding with a visit to Malta by European Commissioner Jacques Barrot, who is to discuss immigration and visit detention centres.

The ministry said part of the reason for the current situation in detention centres was the sheer number of people being held there. A new detention centre was opened recently in an effort for conditions to improve.

Nonetheless, the Maltese government stood by its detention policy, because it was the most appropriate for Malta. While the governemnt would continue to provide whatever help was necessary, its policy remained that migrants should b immediately placed in detention for a fixed period. This policy had been retained despite calls for it to be dropped.