The implementation of a detention policy remains a necessity in the Maltese context, the Home Affairs Ministry said.
In a statement, the ministry referred to statements issued over the past two days by non-governmental organisations following the outbreak of a riot at the Safi Detention Centre.
The riot, during which public officers were injured and public property was damaged, was a regrettable incident that had to be condemned by all stakeholders in the sector, it said.
The ministry said that in the circumstances, the authorities exercised the use of force to the minimum extent possible; but it was amply clear that action was necessary not only to protect the officers concerned but also to restore order as soon as possible for the benefit of the migrants who were not responsible for the violence that broke out.
The ministry said it was confident it enjoyed the support of all stakeholders in the sector, be they international or local, in condemning violent behaviour, particularly considering that legitimate means were available for people hosted at these centres to voice any disagreements with the authorities, including remedies at law in relation to the rejection of asylum applications.
On conditions at Detention Centres, the ministry pointed out that several refurbishment initiatives were undertaken over the last few years, to provide the best conditions possible.
This includes the total refurbishment of the Hermes Block at Ħal Far Detention Centre which was completed early this year.
Meanwhile, the Agency for the Welfare of Asylum Seekers (AWAS) launched an educational programme for detained migrants at the Ħal Far Detention Centre, which was achieving considerable success. AWAS will be expanding this programme to include the Safi Detention Centre shortly.
"It must be recalled, however, that illegal migration does pose very significant pressures for Malta - a small country with limited resources.
"Notwithstanding several limitations, Malta has in place a fair and transparent asylum system fully in accord with its international and EU obligations.
"Accessibility to the asylum system is self-evident, given that the great majority of illegal migrants file an asylum application.
"Moreover, Malta has a recognition rate that consistently exceeds 50 per cent, which proves that the system is by no means unfair to the asylum seeker."
The ministry said that whereas it recognised that not all stakeholders were in agreement with Malta's detention policy, the implementation of such a policy remained a necessity in the Maltese context.
"Detention is not pursued by way of punishment in relation to illegal entry, but rather to safeguard Malta's internal security.
"It is to be recalled that practically all illegal migrants enter Malta undocumented, and that the authorities have no expedient means of verifying their identity immediately upon entry."
The policy also conformed to the European Convention on Human Rights which provided for the lawful arrest or detention of a person to prevent his effecting an unauthorised entry into the country. No fundamental human rights were being violated, the ministry insisted.
The ministry hoped that, in the interests of all concerned, such incidents would not be repeated.
" The objectives of migrants or any other group, whatever they are, will not be attained through violent behaviour," it said.