Arnold Cassola, AD spokesperson on EU Affairs, said: “The limitations of the size of our country should be taken into consideration and therefore the EU should not expect from Malta a mechanical application of the Dublin rules for our country.
“As suggested by the International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH), certain ad hoc measures should be taken for Malta: an asylum seeker arriving in Malta should be given the opportunity to put his/her asylum request to the authorities of the country in which he/she would like to settle.
“Or else, a refugee who has obtained refugee status in Malta should be allowed to proceed freely and take up residence in any other part of the EU. The Maltese authorities should be insisting with the EU on these derogations from the Dublin Convention.”
Prof. Cassola concluded: “Keeping in mind that the asylum seekers should always be treated in the most humane of ways, the real way forward is by offering solutions to the problems, which should be European solutions, financed by European financial resources and with the expertise of European knowhow and human resources, working in synergy with the Maltese.
“The funding deriving from the European Fund for Refugees and from the European programme EQUAL should be tapped by the Maltese authorities. They will help to make life easier for the Maltese involved in this area and for the asylum seekers too.”
AD’s spokesperson for civil rights James Debono added: “We are appalled that the Maltese government is supporting the plan to have gateways stopping immigrants before they leave. Under the plan, reception centres would be set up in countries beyond EU borders, notably in North Africa, to process and repatriate those not meeting immigration requirements. This plan has been condemned by the UN Commission for refugees.
“Various EU governments like Spain have expressed reservations on this plan.
“It is unclear whether they would offer refugees and asylum seekers adequate protection and would be in line with international law.
“In these cases we are dealing with people’s lives and all care should be taken to ensure that nobody is sent back to his or her grave.
“Instead of setting up camps in countries whose human rights credentials are dubious, the EU should ensure that small countries with over-stretched resources like Malta are not left to fend for themselves.
“Due to its small size, its strategic position and its exposed coastline, Malta should be assisted in catering for unfortunate migrants. Malta’s unique circumstances as the southernmost European country should be recognised by the EU,” James Debono said.