Malta’s detention centres currently host about 750 migrants who fled from Libya as the revolution against Muammar Gaddafi’s regime raged over the past months, the government has confirmed.
... all the people who arrived were clearly fleeing from a dangerous conflict area
The great majority of those fleeing the conflict – which included a higher percentage of families than usual – were, however, granted protection.
By the end of August, the Refugee Commissioner had determined 1,344 asylum applications and granted protection to 1,015 persons. Practically all these persons were citizens of a third country who were in Libya in different capacities when the civil war broke out.
When asked whether detention was consistent with Malta’s bid to be a humanitarian hub during the crisis, a Home Affairs Ministry spokesman said the Office of the Refugee Commissioner determined all asylum applications “on a case by case basis” in line with the Refugees Act and guidelines of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. The process also considers whether the applicants can be returned “safely” to their country of origin.
“If this is found not to be the case, they are given protection in Malta. The fact these persons had been living in Libya does not impinge on the asylum determination process,” the spokesman pointed out.
“Therefore, persons coming from Somalia, Eritrea, Ethiopia and areas of Sudan would be more likely to be granted protection than persons originating from West African countries,” the spokesman said.
The migrants drew attention to their plight last month when detainees at the Safi centre rioted in protest against their living conditions after they were denied asylum.
The migrants hailed from Mali, Gambia, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan, Nigeria, Niger, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Togo, Congo and Sierra Leone.
While still being against Malta’s policy of detaining all migrants who arrive to the country without documents, the UNHCR recognises that not all of them are in need of international protection.
“For those who do have a real option to go home to their countries of origin the possible solution of assisted voluntary return should be explored,” a UNHCR spokesman noted.
“While understanding that the government might have legitimate reasons to undertake screening and control of people who enter the country, we continue to urge the government to explore alternative ways to address these objectives.
“As we see it this argument is even more valid in this situation as all the people who arrived were clearly fleeing from a dangerous conflict area,” the spokesman said.
The harrowing situation in Libya meant the treacherous journey across the Mediterranean, usually the preserve of men, was made by a higher number of families with children when compared to figures registered between 2002 and 2010.
“This could mean that because of the situation in Libya this year, more vulnerable individuals were willing to make the dangerous journey to reach a safe haven,” the UNHCR said.