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Malta: People come first, says JRS
Valletta, 14 July 2011 – In a statement issued today,
Jesuit Refugee Service Malta expressed grave concern at
the predicament of the 100 men, women and children
stranded on board the frigate, the Almirante Juan de
Borbón, in worsening conditions, and called upon the EU
states concerned to allow them to disembark immediately
pending a final agreement on who will assume
responsibility for them.
"It is completely unacceptable that people fleeing from
a country in conflict are refused access to a place of
safety and left stranded at sea for days, while states
decide their fate", said Fr Joseph Cassar SJ, JRS Malta
Director.
Wreckage from a ship carrying migrants from North
Africa (UNHCR/F.Noy)
According to
press reports, the 100 migrants on board the Spanish
frigate were rescued from a vessel in distress some 75
miles off the coast of Libya on Monday, after the boat
on which they were travelling developed engine trouble.
The Spanish vessel sought entry to Lampedusa and Malta
to disembark the migrants, but both Italy and Malta
refused entry, each claiming that the other is
responsible.
"While we understand states' legitimate concerns
regarding the long-term implications of allowing the
migrants to disembark on national territory, we believe
that people are more important. Attempts to limit the
number of irregular arrivals should never be at the cost
of human rights," he added.
This case, like others before it, highlights the lack of
clarity surrounding the rules on treatment of irregular
migrants rescued at sea. Their situation is further
complicated by the operation of the Dublin Regulation,
which places responsibility for the protection of asylum
seekers entering irregularly on the state where they
first enter the Union, making states reluctant to allow
potential asylum seekers to disembark on their territory
even temporarily.
In view of this, while acknowledging the challenges
posed by the arrival of large numbers of irregular
migrants, JRS Malta calls upon the governments of
Malta, Italy and Spain to give priority to the
safety of the migrants stranded on board the
Almirante Juan de Borbón, by allowing them to
disembark immediately even before a final decision
is taken regarding who should assume responsibility
for them.
The organisation also called upon the states concerned
to ensure that the migrants are allowed access to a
country where they can apply for protection if they need
it, in accordance with their international human right
law.
Further information:
Fr Joseph Cassar SJ
JRS Malta Director
Tel. +356 7927 0409
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