The European Union's
border control agency, Frontex launched joint patrols around Maltain a bid to stem the influxes of
thousands of African would-be immigrants attempting to reach mainland Europe.
Although the strait between Sicily and Libya is under
surveillance, the North African country refused to contribute to the
project, nicknamed Nautilus II.
While the Frontex mission is being considered as
the best means of tackling the problem of illegal immigration, international
laws state that rescued persons should be taken to the nearest safe port. That
could mean that Malta might
end up having to accept the would-be illegal immigrants picked up by Frontex,
if Libya
refuses to accept those picked up in its waters, according to EUX.tv.
On the other hand, another three
groups of illegal immigrants were brought into Malta on Sunday night. A group of
25 illegal immigrants was rescued by the Maritime Squadron from the Armed
Forces of Malta at around 2045CEST, followed by the rescue of 31
illegal immigrants later on during the night.
A statement issued by the Police also said that another group of five men was saved at around 2300CEST. All the illegal immigrants were brought ashore at Haywharf.
These three rescue operations followed another
on Sunday afternoon, where another 15 illegal immigrants, comprising four women and a baby, were brought into Haywharf.
Between Saturday and Sunday, 160 illegal immigrants arrived in Malta.
Speaking of the arrivals, the AFM said that it has been yet another very busy
weekend.
The AFM added that “With non-stop arrivals daily of rescued
or recovered illegal migrants from the seas around Malta, the numbers have
swelled up the statistics this weekend once more, giving no indication
whatsoever thus far of any respite on the horizon from this annual seasonal
illegal migration phenomenon leaving the shores of North Africa.
The AFM also said that a soldier was
ganged up on by 12 illegal immigrants on a bus Saturday afternoon.
The soldier, who is presently serving in one of the illegal
migrant detention camps, was recognized by one of the migrants, leading to him
being severe verbally abused and berated.
The Commander AFM publicly thanked the
Public Transport's bus driver who stopped his vehicle to summon the Police's
mobile squad unit to calm the situation. Police Mobile
squad members were soon on the spot as the bus was enroute through Marsa, and
disembarked the migrants' group. No charges are being pressed.
Read more about this issue in MaltaMedia’s Special Feature Lanċa Ġejja u Ohra Sejra.
