JRS urges special consideration for split families
The Jesuit Refugee Service has urged the government to give special consideration to refugees whose close family members have already been granted international protection here.
JRS Malta welcomed the initiative of European Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmström to ask member states to resettle Eritrean, Somali, Ethiopian and other refugees fleeing Libya.
The government has already said it would not be offering to resettle any of these immigrants but, while the JRS laid stress on the need for northern Europe to step in and help in this crisis, it also urged Malta to give special consideration to cases involving migrants who had family members that were granted protection on the island.
Those who are still trapped in Libya constitute a particularly vulnerable group, without any protection. Refugees fleeing the North African country by boat or any other means should be allowed to access protection, the advocacy group said.
“Over the past years, asylum seekers reaching Malta have been allowed access to the asylum procedure. JRS lauds this good practice and is confident it will be upheld as Malta continues to make its contribution on the international scene,” JRS said.
Meanwhile, the UN refugee agency said it understood Malta’s declaration that it would not offer to resettle sub-Saharan migrants who poured into Egypt and Tunisia when they fled the turmoil in Libya.
The UN agency also made the case for refugees who would have family in Malta. It pointed out that Malta’s response to the appeal for resettlement solutions did not impact on the general obligation to allow access to refugees and asylum seekers who could be approaching its borders in search of safety from war or persecution. In fact, the agency called on all states in the region, including in Europe, to maintain open borders for all those fleeing Libya.
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Sean Grima
Mar 29th 2011, 14:33
the usual negative, archaic comments.
Charles Grech
Mar 28th 2011, 18:12
Where are those hypocrites who wanted and in fact did stone Mr. Norman Lowell ? Those in power and religious influence shall go down in history as responsible for the dismantling of Maltese and Gozitan society . Oh Melita you shall cry, as you had never cried before.
Joseph Grech
Mar 28th 2011, 17:59
JRS know that Multiculturalism does not work. That is the opinion of a number of European leaders one of whom is Angela Merkel. She certainly knows the problems which arose in Germany as a result of its accepting Turkish immigrants decades ago. Problems have surfaced in other countries - the U.K., Italy, Greece, France, Sweden.....But hese irresponsible people JRS (the local Jesuits) keep preaching in favour of the people who come here illegally. Some are real asylum seekers but most are just economic migrants who abandon their country to better themselves off. JRS are really annoying Maltese society with their evident disrespect.
Mario Ellul
Mar 28th 2011, 17:30
The JRS wants these people to reproduce in Malta so there is more of them to offer charity to, hence the need to bring their wives here pronto as it is only the right thing to do.
Louis Gialanze
Mar 28th 2011, 14:40
What is the JRS doing to address the problems of failed states like Somalia at source rather than expect the maltese taxpayer to foot the bill each time the Jesuits come up with another fancy expectation.
N. Pace
Mar 28th 2011, 17:15
good point! i totally agree with you.
Louise Vella
Mar 28th 2011, 14:11
Strange! JRS, the advocacy group, is always preaching in favour of more refugees and illegal immigrants coming to Malta. It is always saying what the government (that is, us the Maltese taxpayers) should do. It never offers to contribute. May I suggest that JRS should house any refugees it sponsors at the Jesuit properties Mount St Joseph, just outside Mosta, and Manresa House in Gozo.?
As for UNHCR, over the years it has distinguished itself by a media campaign against Malta it carried out in the local and foreign press. It has no right to tell the Maltese what to do and whether to open or close their borders. In any case UNHCR is always in favour of open
borders - for illegal immigrants and refugees to exit their countries' borders and enter the richer countries. If UNHCR had its way, countries would end up with no borders and all of Africa would end up in Sweden, Germany, the UK and the USA.
K Borg
Mar 28th 2011, 12:30
IS there some orchestrated choir this week since we have at least three reports on illegal immigrants, their problems and what they want? :Listen all of you do-gooders, just go help them in their own countries and take them back with you.