Forced return or push-back of asylum seekers is not an option as this would constitute a breach of international law, the UNHCR said in a statement this evening.

It referred this morning’s arrival of 102 men, women and children who were rescued and brought to Malta by the Armed Forces.

UNHCR said it visited part of this group, all Somali nationals, at the Lyster detention centre and several individuals confirmed their wish and intention to apply for asylum.

The UNHCR said that this afternoon it requested access to the rest of the group, held at the Police Headquarters in Floriana but its representative was, so far, not granted access.

It said it had expected such access in view of the formal agreement with the Government which had undertaken “to grant UNHCR personnel an unimpeded access to refugees and other persons of concern to UNHCR”. UNHCR’s access to asylum seekers is also prescribed in terms of Maltese refugee and immigration legislation.

The UNHCR noted the interim measure adopted by the European Court of Human Rights, which effectively prevented the deportation of the immigrants.

Jon Hoisaeter, UNHCR Representative to Malta said:

“The asylum issue is not one that can be solved in one action, no matter how determined. And it is also not a question of either-or approaches. Rather, it is about building on what has already been achieved, working in multiple directions towards long term solutions both in Malta and in other countries.”