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The last group of migrants, amount to 102, could be sent back, according to a Government spokesperson.
Contacted by TVM.com.mt, following stories which surfaced in various media, the latter source said that ‘the Government is keeping all option open’.
The Government is weighing options whether to send the migrants back by boat, via a chartered plane or by other means.
PM’s decision in breach of European Convention – PN leader:
The possibility of sending the migrants back, was met by the criticism of the Nationalist Party leader, Simon Busuttil.
Dr Busuttil said that the Prime Minister’s decision is in breach of the European Convention on the matter.
The PN leader was being interviewed prior to Chamber of Commerce meeting.
AD questions government's stand on veto and immigration
Alternattiva Demokratika spokesperson for Social Affairs, Robert Callus said that the only solution to the immigration problem is a political one. He said that on the one hand, Libya must be persuaded to sign and ratify the Geneva convention on protection of refugees, on the other, the EU countries must be persuaded to give their solidarity in practice, consent to responsibility sharing, and review the Dublin convention as the European Greens have been insisting for ages.
Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson, Prof. Arnold Cassola, said that until this happens, Prime Minister Muscat must “…put his actions where his mouth is”. He said that in 2012, the EU gave Malta €18 million for migration related issues. This money was used to buy boats, aircraft and other equipment for the Maltese military. Prof Cassola asked if Malta would continue to accept this money from the EU. He questioned why the Prime Minister is threatening to use his veto on unrelated matters, when he actually told EASO officials that on migration issues "we will not refuse our support on EU measures, but we will abstain on them"? Is Prime Minister Muscat abstaining on migration issues, rather than voting against, not to displease his 10 Prime Minister colleagues from the Party of European Socialists, asked, in conclusion, the AD Chairperson.
European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Cecilia Malmström:
European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Cecilia Malmstrom, stressed that according to EU and international obligations, all people arriving in the EU territory are entitled to file an asylum request and to have a proper assessment of their situation. Any return operation has to respect in full these obligations and in particular the principle of non-refoulement inscribed in the EU law and in the International Conventions. The European Commission will use all the tools at its disposal to make sure Member States fully respect their obligations in this regard. We also stand ready to increase our support to Malta if it should face growing migratory pressure. Should Maltese authorities ask for it, we are ready to engage in discussions on further measures, be it financial support or assistance through the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) and Frontex.
Maltese Bishops’ statement:
The Maltese Bishops appealed for Maltese Civil Authorities to respect the rights of the migrants.
In a statement, Archbishop Paul Cremona; Bishops Mario Grech and Charles J. Scicluna called on the Government to keep on following international obligations, while maintaining a policy of hospitality.
The Bishops insisted that the Government, through legitimate means, insist that other countries also shoulder this burden.
Access to asylum must be ensured – UNHCR
In a press release the UN Refugee Agency noted that the European Court of Human Rights granted an interim measure under Rule 39, effectively preventing the deportation of the people who arrived on the boat in Malta this morning. The purpose of Rule 39 measures is to allow time for further assessment in cases where people facing deportation may be facing serious and irreversible harm.
UNHCR Malta reiterated that given the current situation in Libya, forced return or push-back of asylum seekers is not an option, as this would constitute a breach of international law.
“The asylum issue is not one that can be solved in one action, no matter how determined. And it is also not a question of either-or approaches. Rather it is about building on what has already been achieved, working in multiple directions towards long term solutions both in Malta and in other countries,” Jon Hoisaeter, UNHCR Representative to Malta.
