Two migrants have finally been paid damages following a breach of their human rights during detention.

The ruling was handed down last year by the European Court of Human Rights, which also recommended that migrants be held for a shorter time in detention and their conditions improved.

However, the government did not say whether it will be taking any action on that and another recommendation.

The ECHR found that the island had breached numerous provisions of the European human rights convention, in two separate judgments related to the detention of asylum seekers.

It urged the government to ensure a speedier decision-making process when asylum seekers challenge the duration of their detention.

It also ordered Malta to pay Ibrahim Suso Musa €27,000, of which €24,000 were damages, and Aslya Aden Ahmed €33,000 – which include €30,000 damages.

Both were compensated last week, after the government was given until last Saturday to pay them without incurring interest – three months from when the judgment became final in December.

The government had challenged the ECHR’s decision handed down in July and asked for the cases to be referred to the Grand Chamber, but the request was rejected in December.

Last month the government said it was still examining legislation to determine whether intervention was needed, and if so, to what extent.

The Home Affairs Ministry and the Office of the Prime Minister did not reply to questions about what steps were going to be taken to abide by the recommendations.

Meanwhile, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe will keep a watchful eye on Malta and will not adopt a final resolution striking the judgment off its list of cases. Malta is required to provide explanations or take the necessary action.