Speaking at the Euro-African Ministerial Conference on Migration and Development on Monday, Foreign Minister Dr. Michael Frendo urged for a holistic solution to deal with the repeated influxes of asylum seekers in Malta.
In turn, United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres unveiled a 10-point action plan addressing the issues of mixed and irregular migratory movements in a coherent and practical way; in countries of origin, transit and destination.
 The conference held between almost 60 countries in both Europe and Africa was called as a response to incidents in Morocco last September where hundreds of African migrants tried to break the border fence separating the country from two Spanish enclaves - Ceuta and Melilla. Five people were shot dead and many others wounded in this instance.
While touching upon Spain’s illegal immigration problems, while addressing the conference Minister Michael Frendo said that Malta experienced the equivalent of 75,000 illegal immigrants arriving in France or that 50,000 illegal immigrants arriving in Spain in terms of population density during the past two weeks. “The smaller and the more densely populated the country, the bigger the problem,” continued the Minister, adding that “This for us is an issue of vital importance.”
While calling for a holistic solution. Dr. Michael Frendo added that the Central Mediterranean route needs as much tackling as does that of the Western Mediterranean to put a stop to international traffickers. He also explained how part of the solution is that all countries fight international criminal organisations, while applying the Article 13 of the Cotonou Agreement, an international obligation of repatriation of illegal migrants.
The urgency of Malta’s problem was further highlighted in the Minister’s conclusive words, as he stated that he “Did not have a very flowery speech but Malta simply cannot afford anymore to use flowery words”.
On the other hand, UNHCR's unveiled a 10-point action plan which sets out key areas in which action is required to address the issues of mixed and irregular migratory movements.
The plan stresses the need for practical protection safeguards to ensure that such measures are not applied in an indiscriminate or disproportionate manner and do not lead to refugees being returned to countries where their life or liberty would be at risk. The UNHCR plan also identifies the need for training and clear instructions for border guards and immigration officials so they know how to respond to asylum applications, and how to meet the needs of separated children, victims of trafficking and other groups with special needs. It also calls for appropriate reception arrangements to be set up to ensure that the basic human needs of people involved in mixed movements are met.
Read more about this issue on MaltaMedia's special feature:
Lanċa Ġejja u Oħra Sejra: Malta and its migrations.
See also:
Nations to discuss illegal immigration
By MaltaMedia News
Jul 10, 2006, 09:59 CET
© Copyright 2006 - MaltaMedia Online Network
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