 |
Malta rebuts allegations by racism commission
By MaltaMedia News
Apr 23, 2008 - 1:02:29 PM
|
|
As part of their third round of visits to the 47-member states, the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) of the Council of Europe visited Malta in July 2007. A report on their evaluation visit has now been submitted to the Maltese Government.
In its reply, the Government of Malta said that it regrets that ECRI has not fully appreciated the scale of the crisis faced by the smallest EU Member State with one of the highest population densities in the world, as a result of the steadily growing wave of illegal immigrants from North and sub-Saharan Africa.
International law recognizes the right, or perhaps more appropriately, the duty especially in view of Malta’s accession to the Schengen acquis, of each state to determine which foreign nationals may enter and remain on its territory; and to return those it refuses to their countries of nationality.
“In this regard, one fails to understand why ECRI fails to recommend stronger border controls and makes no reference to the option of the illegal immigrants` repatriation. Whilst Malta is fully committed to offer all possible protection and support to all those who are deemed to be in need of such assistance, at the same time it is determined to return back all those whose application for asylum is not accepted. Otherwise the asylum system’s sustainability would be put at risk.” said the government in a statement on Wednesday.
“It is also of concern to us that the ECRI report seems to be quite lukewarm in supporting the burden-sharing concept especially by the European countries which ultimately are the intended destination of the irregular immigrants arriving at Europe’s border states.” the statement continues.
The government is also accusing the ECRI of showing disrespect towards Malta`s democratic institutions, including Parliament, the judiciary and the free press because it makes more than 30 references to anonymous sources and a large number of recommendations which are inappropriate to Malta`s particular circumstances.
In contrast, the Maltese Government’s reply includes testimonies given by the Commander Detention Service, the Refugee Commissioner, the Executive Director of the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality, a psychotherapist, and the Chairman of the Refugee Appeals Board. These testimonies correct and contradict many statements in the ECRI report according to the government.
“It is disappointing to note that ECRI showed disregard for Malta’s vital national interest and the will of the people; and had a certain tendency to view the efforts being undertaken in this area in a somewhat negative manner.” the statement concluded.
The reports accompanying can be accessed here www.mjha.gov.mt.
Read more about this issue on MaltaMedia's special feature: Lanċa
Ġejja u Oħra Sejra: Malta and its migrations.
© Copyright 2008 by MaltaMedia.com
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
Top of Page
|
|
|
Latest update:
May 7, 2008 - 11:23:39 PM CET
|
%20of%20the%0ACouncil%20of%20Europe%20visited%20Malta%20in%20July%202007.%26nbsp%3B%20A%20report%20on%20their%0Aevaluation%20visit%20has%20now%20been%20submitted%20to%20the%20Maltese%20Government.%20%3Cbr%20%2F%3E%0A%0A%0A%3Cbr%20%2F%3E%0A%0A%0AIn%20its%20reply%2C%20the%20Government%20said%20it%20regrets%20that%20ECRI%20has%20not%20fully%0Aappreciated%20the%20scale%20of%20the%20crisis%20faced%20by%20Malta.%3Cbr%20%2F%3E%0A%0A&topic=world_news){kind=link}