Over 30 civil society groups have called for the immediate disembarkation in Malta of a group of migrants who are stranded on a commercial vessel out at sea.
Around 50 men and women have been stranded for days on the MV Talia and are being housed in miserable and unhygienic conditions, they said. The vessel is intended for the transportation of animals, the NGOs said, adding that the situation was “beyond shameful.”
The migrants were rescued on the explicit instructions of the Maltese authorities and are now waiting for a port of safety to be identified, they said.
“Malta simply may not abdicate responsibility for people on its territory and for whom it is clearly responsible. Whilst we fully appreciate the serious challenges posed by the arrival by sea of asylum-seekers, we underline that, as the state responsible for the search and rescue area where the rescue took place, Malta is responsible for coordinating the disembarkation of the rescued migrants in a port of safety. Furthermore, Malta human rights obligations require it to ensure that all who wish to apply for asylum in Malta are able to do so.”
The NGOs said Malta should also ensure that no one is subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, whether on board the rescuing vessel or in a country to which they are sent for disembarkation.
“Malta, together with other States, is also responsible for ensuring that its actions do not serve to deter private vessels from rescuing migrants in distress at sea. This would not only be a serious violation of maritime traditions and laws, but also a relinquishment of the value of life and human dignity.”
The groups also underlined the obligation of the European Union to show true solidarity with people fleeing war and persecution and with those Member States struggling to cope with their asylum obligations.
“We therefore urge the Government to allow the rescued migrants to disembark in Malta immediately. We also reiterate our request for a meeting with the authorities to discuss Malta’s position on rescue at sea and disembarkation, as well as on how we can support Malta’s efforts to secure political consensus on the creation of an effective mechanism for true responsibilitysharing among the Member States of the EU.”
Photo: Alarm Phone