Kurt Sansone
Malta hails Italy-Libya agreement
UNHCR expresses concern
The Home Affairs Ministry yesterday welcomed Italy's decision to return a group of rescued migrants to Libya as relations between Malta and Italy showed signs of returning to normal after several days of diplomatic bickering.
Under the terms of an agreement reached with Libya, the Italian coast guard yesterday took the 227 migrants, rescued at sea on Wednesday off Lampedusa, back to Tripoli, from where they had started their journey across the Mediterranean.
The news was given by Italian Home Affairs Minister Roberto Maroni, who described it as a historic achievement that could "represent a twist in the fight against illegal immigration".
Humanitarian organisations were less enthusiastic about the new policy to push back immigrants at sea, with United Nations Commissioner for Refugees Laurens Jolles describing it as a "worrying trend" since migrants would not be given the chance to apply for asylum. The Home Affairs Ministry greeted the arrangement between Libya and Italy positively, saying it would mean that "fewer persons would lose their lives" trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea.
"The arrangement between Libya and Italy has the potential to eradicate what is an illegal trade involving human beings that too often leads to loss of life on the high seas. Inherently, the government can only support any action that prevents potential loss of life," a spokesman said. He also urged humanitarian organisations to be more proactive in dealing with persons seeking international protection by addressing their concerns in the countries of transit and origin.
In this way, the ministry said, migrants would not have to undertake life-threatening voyages.
It insisted that, rather than argue between themselves, Malta and Italy should persuade the EU that Libya also needed assistance.
The 227 migrants had made a distress call but were rescued by the Italians only after drifting for a few hours, as Italy held off despite the fact that Lampedusa was the nearest safe port of call.
This issue had been the cause of serious friction between the two countries on two previous occasions in the past few weeks, with Italy insisting that Malta should take in migrants rescued near Lampedusa because the area is within the Maltese Search and Rescue Area. Malta, on its part, holds that Italy is obliged under international rules to take the migrants to the nearest safe port - Lampedusa in these cases.
The group was yesterday taken directly to Libya without having their cases processed as had been the norm until now.
The prospect of sending back migrants who could warrant international protection was a major bone of contention for the UNHCR.
Mr Jolles said he was worried that an EU state was engaging in a push-back policy that denied people access to asylum procedures.
"We do recognise the problems countries such as Italy and Malta are facing. We also recognise the need for a more effective burden-sharing agreement between EU states. However, this new policy sends a bad signal to other countries," Mr Jolles said. He insisted that nobody knew who was on the boat and whether there were people escaping torture and persecution in their country.
"This policy is a diversion from Italy's previous stand, which had been constructive in granting international protection to those who needed it. Libya is not a signatory of the Geneva Convention and we are not aware of any guarantees the Libyan authorities have given to ensure the protection of asylum seekers," Mr Jolles said.
Italy's new policy of return is not without its pitfalls. In 2005 the European Parliament had condemned the collective expulsion of migrants from Lampedusa to Libya. Italy eventually scrapped that policy, which was applied between October 2004 and March 2005.
Meanwhile Mr Maroni said yesterday that in the next few weeks he would travel to Libya with his "esteemed colleague" Dr Mifsud Bonnici, with the aim of discussing immigration. They will be accompanied by EU Justice and Home Affairs Commissioner Jacques Barrot.
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J Martinelli
May 8th 2009, 12:29
"....United Nations Commissioner for Refugees Laurens Jolles describing it as a "worrying trend" since migrants would not be given the chance to apply for asylum". Coming from a UN Commissioner, it is laughable. I cannot imagine why the eminent commissioner never suggested that these people attend an embassy of their choice (in Libya) and apply for asylum or refugee status. Then we shall know to what country they intend to emigrate and let that country decide whether to accept any at all. Simple and just solution, don't you think, Mr. Laurens Jolles?
Joanne Micallef
May 8th 2009, 12:24
UNCHR should open centers across Africa where Africans can safely apply for asylum, because until a proper repatriation of those not granted a refugee status is accorded, this is the only way we can safeguard our livelihood.
Stephen Vella
May 8th 2009, 11:48
@ I galea - Excellent Comment. I am sick and tired of these organisations who try to dictate to us what to do and who to accept on our tiny Island. This must come to an end !!
c.caruana
May 8th 2009, 11:28
Hellowwwww....LIBYA did not sign the GENEVA treaty!!! that means that Libya have a lack of respect for human rights!! I don't agree that immigrants go to libya, they should be given the opportunity to find a new future in some european country!!
John Azzopardi
May 8th 2009, 11:26
This is nothing more than EP election gimmick. Once the election is over, the EU commissioners will flex their muscles again and says that this is not legal.
Joe Grima (Brussels)
May 8th 2009, 11:19
Repatriation is the only solution. Burden sharing only encourages them to come to Malta, knowing that the rest of the trip will be taken care of by BSW, 'Burden Sharing Wings'. For me this is the new travel agency which encourages yet more immigration towards Europe!! If UNHCR are against repatriation, maybe it will be better for Malta to hand over Hal Far to them, and handing also ALL responsibility (including food, health, clothing, .....and putting out the fires so often started deliberately). We will save a lot from our taxes then! They might even open a centre in Libya to screen potential refugees there, and save the trip to all the others. What do the UNHCR say about the thousands who never make it?? About Frontex. Instead of having all those ships criss-crossing the Med, shouldn't the EU send a combined fleet to patrol ONLY just outside Libyan territorial waters, and sending them back from there, extending the deal reached with Italy?
george Pace
May 8th 2009, 10:55
The Unhcr are the do not seem to comprehend the magnitude of the African refugee problem . If given the chance we shall be swamped out of our exsistance by hordes of refugees.The UNHCR should go to Africa and treat the problem in their country. These are refugees so what ! We have enough problems trying to survive we do not need an added gigantic problem, these people should be sent back where they came from. Well done to Italy, we should do likewise.
Frans Sammut
May 8th 2009, 10:54
Kindly note that "Ghosfor" is a quadrilateral verb, so it should be conjugated as "tghosfor" in the imperfect tense. I take this opportunity because I would like such frequent errors to disappear, vanish or "vamoose" as fast as the humanitarian problem under review.
Patrick Borg
May 8th 2009, 10:51
What percentage of these travellers are escaping torture & persecution ? This would be interesting to note.
Secondly, If I hold a passport and travel to a country which requires me to have a visa, and I don't hold that visa, I will be sent back to the country I originated from.
Libya's support, and the EU support to Libya is imperative.
d. borg
May 8th 2009, 10:49
This is good news. Let the two countries keep on working on this solution as it is the best one yet. As regards to Mr Jolles of UN its useless recognising that there is a problem but offer no solution. Both Malta and Italy cannot take any more immigrants. Enough is enough. Their number is now too high to sustain. Both ministers have to do what's best for their country. Drastic situations need drastic measures.
edward bartolo
May 8th 2009, 10:40
There is a moral rule: "Between two evels, choose the least!"
lgalea
May 8th 2009, 10:25
If the European Parliament doesn't like it it should take them to Brussels and see what reaction it gets.
If United Nations Commissioner for Refugees Laurens Jolles doesn't like it maybe he will take them to UN HQ in New York or perhaps Geneva.
What they should understand is that the vast majority of Maltese and Italians and all those who have been swamped by illegal immigrants want an end to this illegal business and do not care a hoot either for their opinions or the illegal immigrants.
Mario Tabone-Vassallo
May 8th 2009, 10:07
PROSIT lil kullhadd. Jekk il-Libja tibqa' taccetta dawk li jitlqu minn hemm, u nafu li 99% jigu minn hemm u li l-kotra minnhom tkun ilha tghix hemm xhur u snin, il-problema toghsfor u dal-povri ma jibqghux ikunu maghduda b'merkanzija.