The media on Thursday was granted access to view five Closed Accommodation Centres at Safi and Ħal Far for illegal immigrants. The media was also introduced to the new purpose – built accommodation centre (C Block) that has been built at Safi to replace the former tented accommodation.
In presentations by the Commissioner of Police, Mr John Rizzo, the Adviser to the Government on Immigration matters, Mr Martin Scicluna, and the Commander of the Detention Service, Lieutenant Colonel Brian Gatt, the government’s policy on detention and future plans for dealing with immigration were explained.
Lieutenant Colonel Brian Gatt, Commander Detention Service, described how the Detention Service was organised to cope with those in Closed Accommodation Centres and how the Service operated on a day to day basis.
Adviser Martin Scicluna underlined the government’s policy towards irregular immigration. He said that "while the concept of having more Open Centres will be kept under regular review, we are convinced that, in current circumstances, the over-riding national interest dictates that our policies of detention for up to 12 months should be retained."
Mr Scicluna also gave an insight into government plans for the future. "We have every intention of building on the ground-work which has been laid in the last twelve months or so."
He said that the Task Force which was set up by the Minister for Justice and Home Affairs last March, following the National Conference on Irregular Immigration, would shortly be publishing "The National Plan for Irregular Immigrants, Refugees and Integration" which lays down a comprehensive policy on all aspects of irregular immigration.
Maltese media had been requested access to these detention centre for a long time, always being denied such an opportunity by the Minister for Justice and Home Affairs.
Malta's detention policy for illegal immigrants has been criticised by Amnesty International and other human rights organisations. This has led to escapes from these centres and large-scale protests from detainees.
These detainees originate from North Africa and find themselves in Malta after they fail to get to Sicily because of bad weather or problems with their boat.
See also:
1,061 granted humanitarian protection in 2005
by MaltaMedia News - Mar 21, 2006, 09:08
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