The Emigrants Commission expressed its support for the appeal lodged by Foreign Minister Michael Frendo last week, in which he requested assistance so that Malta could deal with the large influx of irregular immigrants that reach its shores each year.

Dr Frendo referred to the 3,000 irregular immigrants that sought refuge in Malta since 1992 and explained that due to its small size and overpopulation, Malta finds it hard to cope with such numbers and urged other European countries to allow some of these migrants into their territory.

The commission said that this was a just appeal and deserved support, also because irregular immigrants do not come to Malta out of their own choice but often land here by chance. Malta handles the arrival of these immigrants with great responsibility. It must also be said that the relatives of some of the migrants who came to Malta were in Italy, and today have spread throughout Europe.

The minister made reference to the years before 2002, when the commission took care of irregular immigrants. Those recognised as refugees by the UNHCR had the possibility of settling in the country where they landed. Malta has been recognised as a safe country since 2002 and, as such, has the responsibility of keeping immigrants considered to be refugees or deserving humanitarian protection. However, those who, in principle, consider Malta as a safe country, often neglect to consider whether Malta can carry such a responsibility.

The commission supported Dr Frendo’s claim by saying that the number of immigrants in Malta would not burden the rest of Europe.