A US State Department report criticised the “harsh” treatment and housing conditions of detained irregular migrants in Malta, describing it as “the most serious human rights problem” in the country in 2013.
The State Department also levelled criticism at the lengthy delays in the judicial system, remarking that, in some instances, this was diminishing individuals’ access to due process.
In its annual human rights country report, it highlighted other issues such as child abuse, human trafficking and substandard work conditions among irregular migrants.
On the other hand, it lauded the government for taking steps to prosecute and punish officials who committed abuse, including in the security services.
The report said that while prison conditions generally met international standards and the government allowed visits by independent human rights observers, poor conditions in detention centres for irregular migrants persisted.
It criticised the overcrowding at the Marsa open centre and the uncomfortable living conditions in prefabricated housing units in the other centres due to the high summer temperatures and the inadequate ventilation.
On a positive note, it pointed out that works were carried out to renovate the living conditions of closed centres.
The report noted that, in response to a 2010 report by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, the government undertook a number of improvements, such as providing mental health counselling and social services for migrants upon their arrival.
While allegations of mistreatment in the detention centres persisted, the report said there were no such indications during media visits to the Ħal Far and Marsa open centres.
The government’s efforts to comply with the judgments issued by the European Court of Human Rights involving violations such as inhuman and degrading treatment, unlawful detention and the right to a fair trial within a reasonable time were welcomed
However, it was noted that Malta was fined €33,000 and €27,000 respectively by the ECHR for violating the human rights of two irregular migrants who were held in detention for an excessive period of time.
The report referred to the “occasional” disturbances in detention centres and escape attempts by detainees.
It also noted that vulnerable individuals such as children, pregnant women, elderly persons and parents with infants were moved to open centres within days. The State Department flagged cases of irregular migrants whose working conditions were below the government’s minimum standards.
On the racism issue, the government was criticised for taking no specific action to address reports that foreigners, particularly of African or Arab origin, were either discouraged or prohibited from entering entertainment establishments by owners.