After diplomatic spat, Malta now joins forces with Italy
Karl Stagno-Navarra
Malta’s home affairs minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici yesterday said Italy’s forced repatriation of 227 migrants to Libya had “brought Malta and Italy closer” and even went further to state the two countries are now working in “perfect tandem”.
Yesterday’s statement marked an unprecedented U-turn in Malta’s immigration policy, as Mifsud Bonnici signalled that Malta would be working closely with Italy on its forced repatriation of incoming migrant boats to Libya, criticised by the UN and the Vatican, amongst others.
But the two countries were engaged in a diplomatic war of words at the start of the week, when an Italian blockade refused entry to a Maltese patrol boat carrying 66 rescued migrants into Lampedusa At first dubbed “disgusting” by Lawrence Gonzi, in retaliation the prime minister said Malta would give migrant boats free passage to Italy.
But Italy’s policy has now garnered full Maltese support after Mifsud Bonnici and Italian counterpart Roberto Maroni spoke on the phone on Thursday morning. Mifsud Bonnici has insisted with MaltaToday that what was discussed is “not in the public interest.”
The minister also said that Malta and Italy were now “closer” and working in “perfect tandem.” But Malta’s choice to consider the forced repatriation of migrants to Libya as a “positive step forward”, is seriously worrying the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).
Speaking exclusively to MaltaToday, UNHCR chief spokesperson Laura Boldrini urged the Maltese government to “disown” Italy’s policy, and to ensure it will not be “tempted” to copy this policy.
“The Maltese government cannot hide behind the excuse that there is no evidence that the migrants are asylum-seekers, because statistics clearly show that almost 100% of migrant arrivals on Malta last year applied for protection, and 50% were in fact granted that status.
“This development is definitely not a positive one, but surely a very worrying development, as governments are now abdicating their humanitarian obligations and responsibilities, and sending persecuted and vulnerable people back to their worst nightmare,” Boldrini added.
Boldrini said states have a right to secure their borders, but this does not exonerate them from their obligations at law to receive and grant asylum to vulnerable migrants.
But as Malta and Italy continue to be subject to heavy international condemnation and criticism levelled by human rights and humanitarian organisations, Carm Mifsud Bonnici preferred keeping mum on what the Maltese government’s intentions are.
‘Not in the public interest’ Asked if Malta will follow Italy’s policy of forced repatriation to Libya, Mifsud Bonnici did not rule out following suit, insisting it was “hypothetical” and that “each case will be decided upon individually”.
He refused the notion that he and Maroni have “technically agreed” on how to speak about the repatriation of migrants to Libya, in a bid to beat the controversy and steer away from the outcry of humanitarian organisations.
Asked if he knew of any guarantees obtained by Italy from Libya about the wellbeing of the repatriated migrants, Carm Mifsud Bonnici replied he had “reason to believe that they are ok.”
Asked to qualify this statement, the minister explained that he heard that the migrants were taken to a detention centre in Tripoli to be “processed” as witnessed by officials from the International Organisation of Migrants’ office in Libya.
Repeatedly quizzed on whether Malta would opt to repatriate migrants to Libya, Mifsud Bonnici said, “All I can say is that we are doing all we can to stop the traffickers and the clear danger to migrants’ lives.”
But as Castille steers away from the issue and diverts all queries to the home affairs ministry, Mifsud Bonnici had no further comment to make – especially regarding a reported meeting in Tripoli between himself, Maroni and European Commissioner Jacques Barrot.
The Libyans are said to have no knowledge of such a meeting, but Mifsud Bonnici assured MaltaToday that “Maroni gave me his word that he will give me the date of this meeting.”
Elsewhere, according to the BBC, Labour immigration spokesperson Michael Falzon was quoted as saying that if other European governments cannot be persuaded to share the load, then Malta should get tough. Employing its veto, disrupting the EU’s business, might make other countries address the problem, he said.
Yesterday, Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi was quoted defending Maroni’s line: “We will not open the doors to everyone... I see no scandal – we are in line with European requirements and there’s nothing that violates international law.”
Any comments?
If you wish your comments to be published in our Letters pages please click button below. Please write a contact number and a postal address where you may be contacted.
Search:
MALTATODAY
BUSINESSTODAY
Download MaltaToday Sunday issue front page in pdf file format
All the interviews from Reporter on MaltaToday's YouTube channel.
