Foreign Minister Tonio Borg said yesterday there was “nothing wrong” if Malta shared Italy’s controversial policy to immediately repatriate migrants back to Libya.
Speaking after a meeting with Italian counterpart Giulio Terzi in Rome, Dr Borg reiterated his support for the Italian policy that was “also beneficial” to Malta.
“There is nothing wrong if Malta could participate in such operations as long as they respect domestic and international law,” he said, insisting Malta would do nothing that violated any law.
Italian media this week published the text of an agreementbetween Italy and Libya in April that makes no clear reference to the push-back policy, but leaves room for interpretation.
Although the agreement speaks of respect for human rights and international law, it has been criticised by Amnesty International, a human rights organisation.
The previous agreement Italy had with the Gaddafi regime also referred to human rights. Yet, the European Court of Human Rights found Italy’s government guilty of breaching the rights of African migrants when they were immediately repatriated to Libya after being rescued on the high seas.
Dr Borg acknowledged it was not clear what the new agreement meant but insisted Italy had every right to push back migrants.
“The last time the Italians did this in 2010, the number of arrivals in Malta dropped to about 200. I will not argue against such an agreement,” he said.
Dr Borg acknowledged that Libya had still not signed the Geneva Convention, a UN charter outlining refugee rights, adding Libya was more democratic now.
Libya signed an African convention on refugee rights, which “if applied correctly, should provide adequate safeguards”. He said: “If Malta had a re-admission agreement with Libya with some guarantees, I would say why not.”
Dr Borg said the talks with Mr Terzi focused on the need for better cooperation between the two countries, especially at EU level.
A joint commission, both at a political and technical level, to have regular meetings on common issues was suggested.
“This will help create a single point of contact so that controversial issues such as migration do not escalate. But the proposal also caters for discussions on areas such as health and culture.”
ksansone@timesofmalta.com
Italy is controversially repatriating Libyan migrants. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi