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The Government must provide information on rescue operations
Joint Civil Society Press Release
We are deeply concerned that the fate of around 62 migrants in distress at sea remains shrouded in secrecy. For more than 24 hours, men, women and children were known by European and Maltese authorities to be in distress within Malta’s Search and Rescue Zone, yet nothing is known of actions taken to ensure their safety. We remain in the dark as to whether the Government decided to rescue them, to refuse their entry to Malta, to return them to Libya or to let them drown.
It is disconcerting that news of migrants about to drown and who could be saved by Malta’s prompt intervention does not trigger any sort of response from the Government. We wholly appreciate Malta’s challenges in managing the arrival of migrants and refugees. Yet it is nonetheless abhorrent that these challenges render us insensitive to loss of life right at our doorstep.
The Government must not remain silent before such tragic incidents and must fully disclose policies, decisions and actions that could result in loss of life.
We are particularly appalled that the Government has made no attempt to explain its relationship with the private fishing vessel returning migrants to atrocities in Libya. Furthermore, yesterday’s revelations by Mr. Neville Gafá, confirming his coordination of illegal pushback operations under instruction from the Office of the Prime Minister, warrant full disclosure by the same Office.
Government is fully aware that returning migrants to Libya is a clear and unequivocal breach of international law, confirmed in 2013 by a decree of the European Court of Human Rights against Malta. Attempting to circumvent these obligations through the engagement of a private vessel would in no way absolve Malta of its legal and moral responsibilities. On the contrary, if such allegations of collusion were to be confirmed, they would indicate a cowardly and callous approach to human dignity itself.
We therefore urge the Government to provide clear and regularly updated information on every action taken by the Armed Forces of Malta since the moment it was alerted of the situation of around 62 migrants in distress in Malta’s Search and Rescue Zone.
We also expect the Government to clarify its relationship with the owner of the Dar al Salam 1 (formerly the Mae Yemenija), in particular whether it instructed, requested or in any way cooperated with the owner to secure the return to Libya of at least one group of migrants.
Finally, it is imperative for the Government to disclose details of all Mr. Gafá’s activities in relation to illegal pushbacks to Libya.
30 April 2020
Statement of:
aditus foundation
Alarm Phone
Allied Rainbow Communities
Association for Justice, Equality and Peace
Blue Door English
The Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation
Department for Inclusion and Access to Learning
Doctors for Choice Malta
Great Oak Malta Association
Integra Foundation
Jesuit Refugee Service Malta
Kopin
Kunsill Nazzjonali taż-Żgħażagħ
LGBTI+ Gozo
Malta Emigrants’ Commission
Malta House of Prayer Foundation
Malta Humanist Association
Malta LGBTIQ Rights Movement (MGRM)
Migrant Women Association Malta
Moviment Graffitti
Office of the Dean – Faculty of Education
Office of the Dean – Faculty for Social Wellbeing
The People for Change Foundation
Repubblika
SOS Malta
Spark 15
Women’s Rights Foundation
This year, on the 112th World Day for Migrants and Refugees, Pope Leo XIV calls on us all to remember the suffering of migrant and refugee children, especially those travelling alone. At JRS, the cornerstone of our work with young people is that these children are...
On Friday, 11th September, we invite you to gather with us at St Aloysius College, B’Kara, for our annual fundraising celebration, Under the Stars. Doors open at 7pm. This event is our yearly event celebrating community, an effort to raise funds for our cause, and an...
We are extremely disappointed that the Equality Minister’s first decision was to wholly ignore human rights NGOs. The Bill to strengthen Malta’s human rights regime and establish a much-needed human rights institution was rushed through Parliament, despite our...
ILGA-Europe have drafted a letter to European Parliament President Roberta Metsola following last week’s shameful scenes at the European Parliament on the occasion of the adoption of the Return Regulation, calling on her to publicly condemn the chanting of the MEPs,...
For a couple of weeks in June the JRS offices had the pleasure of welcoming a group of volunteers from the Boston University. The students participated in job shadowing, received training and joined in on different activities with staff members. As part of our ongoing...
The government of Malta was ordered to pay €5,000 to a teenage asylum seeker for breaching his fundamental rights. Judge Giovanni Grixti ruled that Ayoubah Fona was unlawfully detained as a minor in poor conditions. Lawyer Neil Falzon from aditus foundation, together...
As 2025 draws to a close, we want to thank you for continuing to walk this journey with us, a journey alongside countless refugees and displaced families who long for safety, peace, and a place to belong. Unfortunately, just when the needs are greatest, devastating...
We are deeply concerned at Malta’s statement urging the Council of Europe to explore how to restrict the fundamental human rights of migrants. Packaged as national security measures, the proposals will result in a dramatic lowering of human rights standards in over...
JRS Malta is launching a Call for a Service Contract for the provision of research studies into the lived experiences of asylum seekers and the legal and policy framework regulating access to healthcare for different categories of migrants. This task is part of the...
JRS Malta is teaming up with Jesuits & Friends to launch the latest in a series of our fundraising efforts. This time, we are calling on all running enthusiasts to join the Jesuits & Friends Team at the LifeStar Malta Marathon and help raise funds for JRS in...
This year, on the 112th World Day for Migrants and Refugees, Pope Leo XIV calls on us all to remember the suffering of migrant and refugee children, especially those travelling alone. At JRS, the...
On Friday, 11th September, we invite you to gather with us at St Aloysius College, B’Kara, for our annual fundraising celebration, Under the Stars. Doors open at 7pm. This event is our yearly event...
