Organisations working in the migration field have clarified comments made in reaction to a statement made by Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat about the push-back policy.

The NGOs said the headline in The Times’ article yesterday did not reflect their comments as reported.

During The Times debate last Tuesday, Dr Muscat said he agreed with intercepting asylum seekers at sea and returning them to Libya if that country was considered safe.

The NGOs reiterated that pushing back asylum seekers runs the risk of exposing them to severe human rights violations. Such risks could only be avoided if they are returned to territories where their requests for protection will be treated fairly and effectively.

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