Updated | PN – Muscat won’t win EU support using threats • UNHCR – pushbacks not an option

Prime Minister says asylum policy is 'compassion for the weak, strong with the politicians' but does not exclude pushbacks.

Joseph Muscat and home affairs minister Manuel Mallia
Joseph Muscat and home affairs minister Manuel Mallia

Updated at 1:03pm with PN, UNHCR reactions

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has called on EU president Herman van Rompuy, expressing his lack of satisfaction at the way member states were being left "alone" to face asylum seeker arrivals.

Malta yesterday gave safe harbour to some 300 asylum seekers from Eritrea, Nigeria, Algeria and Tunisia. Another 100 Syrian asylum seekers were taken to the Italian port of Syracuse by the Italian coastguard.

"Our policy is to be compassionate with the weak, but strong with the politicians," Muscat said, whose government has already abstained from an EU vote related to asylum.

But the Labour prime minister said that he was still not excluding employing controversial pushbacks. "Yesterday's situation was a particular emergency in itself," Muscat said of the joint-rescue organised with the Italian coastguard.

"I told Van Rompuy that Malta will start using all legitimate ways of expressing its lack of satisfaction at the way the EU is leaving various member states to face this phenomenon alone," Muscat said, who said Van Rompuy will be visiting Malta next week for a 24-hour visit.

"We will reply with more strength if we see a lack of response from the EU," Muscat said.

"This is not a situation of normality," Muscat said of irregular migration in Malta. "Our principle point is that we will not be beggars here... we will demand assistance."

In a reaction, the PN dubbed Muscat's statement as a populist attempt at appearing decisive "in blatant disregard of the suffering of those who arrived overnight."

"If the Prime Minister thinks he will win support at European level by using threats, he has another thing coming. This approach goes against the basic premises on which the European Union is built and will isolate Malta from the other EU member states."

On its part, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Malta said that asylum seekers from Libya remain at constant risk of exploitation, arrest and indefinite detention. UNHCR representative Jon Hoisaeter called into question Muscat's comments on pushbacks.

"In this situation it is evident that forced return or push-back of asylum seekers to Libya is not an option, as this would constitute a breach of international law."

Muscat is expecting concrete examples of solidarity for the Mediterranean, in the same way that the EU member states have responded to other European crises such as those in the eurozone.

The prime minister said his government will assist migrants at sea in distress, but said the island "will not open its doors to everyone".

The vessel in distress with some 300 migrants onboard was at 40 nautical miles from the coast of Malta. Three of 10 migrants urgently admitted at Mater Dei Hospital were suffering from old gunshot wounds that could have occurred over 10 days ago. An immediate joint rescue operation between Maltese and Italian forces kicked off, with the priority being to transfer the 10 migrants requiring urgent medical assistance to the closest hospital - Malta's.

So far in 2013, around 600 asylum seekers have arrived in Malta, while almost 200 beneficiaries of protection have been assisted to settle in the US and other countries offering support, which is unique in the EU context.

The number of arrivals in Malta in 2013 is lower when compared with the same period last year. Nevertheless, while the country has managed to establish an effective asylum procedure, the irregular arrival of asylum seekers continues to present significant challenges for Malta.

In an opinion piece in the Times of Malta on 20 June, the UNHCR Malta Representative suggested that Malta's "calls for additional support are more likely to succeed on the basis of a clear definition of Malta's own capacity and planned contribution for the coming years. 'Malta is too small' is not likely to go very far as a stand-alone argument."

 

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http://arc.eppgroup.eu/press/showpr.asp?prcontroldoctypeid=1&prcontrolid=7350&prcontentid=12812&prcontentlg=en
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Emmanuel Mallia
Dear UNHCR, did you ever condemn the US government for sending back most, if not all illegal emmigrants who try to enter the US ?
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Dr. Simon colonialist mentality! We are a democratic republic Remember! Small but democratic and Republic! Its a Matese Republic not an illegal migrant Republic! Or an EU walk over Still every appeal and education must be put forward not to turn our nation into a phobic racist one.
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http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/314/182/985/ Please Sign
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I believe that a massive majority is behind Joseph and the PL on this one. Guess it is time to show Van Rompuy this fact and should give him a very warm , if not hot welcome.
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What do you expect from the nationalist suck Ss except siding with the foreigner. No wonder the EU always favoured the PN in government as it could get whatever it wants from that bunch of yellow livered cowards who could never stand up and be counted.
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UNHCR is definitely becoming very unpopular in Malta. They never say how many thousands of immigrants Malta should accept. Why are they shy of giving an honest opinion & participating in debate? At the same time, the PN is siding with the European colonialists without any solidarity with Malta. The PN is not simply ignoring Maltese national interests but actually disagreeing with courageous Maltese government action. Prosit tassew! See you in 2014 for the MEP elections.
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PN always supported foreign interests instead of Maltese own interest. What do you expect? Most of PN high hierarchy come from noble Spanish, French and Italian descent and they are not of real Maltese blood. Shame on them.
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UNHCR representative Jon Hoisaeter can go to hell. He is being paid enormous sums of money from contributions to UN worldwide, is personally aligned to the PN, is sitting somewhere cosy, and wants us, Maltese to take all the umbrage of these asylum seekers alone. The PN, as always in its history, has tried to jump on the bandwagon and get political mileage out of the misery of these people and even more importantly out of the misery they have left US, MALTESE PEOPLE. So please shut up and let our Prime Minister Joseph Muscat deal with these problems in the interests of humanity and more importantly of his people, the Maltese people.
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Dawn ta' Busullottipn nghidilhom li ahjar joqodu kwieti. X'tippretendu li jaghmel il-Gvern ? Bhalkom ? Meta qiskom pastizzi tal-irkotta lanqas biss kontu tifthu halqkom. L-ewwel Busullotti pprova jinganna lil poplu bil- burden sharing u li kieku ma kieneitx l-Amerika kieku ma kien jsir xejn. Burden sharing my foot. Ja qabda laqa.
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We have been subject to EU institutional bullying about imigration for many years now. Yes Malta is small and it is an issue we have reached 400,000+. This government fortunately has put the locals at less risk recently, in chosing to treat Tubercolosis on site and not at Mater Dei, were contagion was likely and yes UNHCR we have a right to know why people saved had gun shot wounds. The UNHCR and EU just keeping insisting it is our problem, then yes we will tackle it according to our means and size. The government was also correct in rebuting the report produced by the EU torture committee another series of blatant untruths. Recently I saw footage of the centro d'accoglienza in Lampedusa, perhaps those who get here should be greatful to be here, instead of in huts with precarious roofs. Perhaps people should get together and show Mr Van Rompuy that we are in clear disagreement with the EU.
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James, Reading the comments below and your article make me realize this is a national supported issue and on the silent side the NP agree too but they are scared to rock the EU gravy train that they are so well renowned who exploit it. The question that disturb me and I think, Libya and these illegals think they are taking us all for a ride is that they are saying all 800 escaped walked, to their waiting boats and walla sailing to greener pasture, with the Libyan guards manged to shoot at three in all this time from their lock up to the waiting boats. To me this is a fabricated lie for pity and only fools like us would be taken for a ride. Enough is enough. They have it in the Korean to lie for their benefit is excepted, now how can we except their statements if the truth and nothing by the truth do not exist with these illegals?
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Push back is very much an option if the overwhelming majority of the common people of Malta say "enough is enough". UNHCR or no UNHCR.
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Would the UNHCR and other "do-goodie" associations - including (apparently) the PN - care to publish how much financial aid they have given to Malta to cope with this tidal wave invasion from foreign countries? Apparently, these refugees are "poorly" and the Maltese have to be "generous". Great, so I live in a cramped flat surrounded by blocks of other flats and I can barely make ends meet. Therefore my next step will be to locate a large and spacious countryside villa - with a spacious swimming pool of course - and move in with the rich owners as I am "poorly" and they have to be "generous". ALBERT FENECH - Qawra
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Simon, I was under the impression that the 'Basic premises on which the European Union is built' is that members are duty bound to help each other. Will you please tell me whether I am correct or not.If not to hell with the E.U. but if correct the E.U should help this small island nation with a population per square mile which exceeds by a large margin that of other E.U. members. You are playing the same game that your predessors played in the early 70's when Dom Mintoff was telling the British Govwerment pay or leave. History proved your Party wrong. Lackeys never win
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Hoisaeter can think what he likes but if he wants to help the ILLEGAL immigrants then he had better put his money where his big mouth is and take them to his own country and keep them at his own expense. We are not a UNHCR colony and we should remove him from MAlta together with the illegal immigrants. Re the PN leaders, they have always been foreigners lackeys and traitors of Malta and the Maltese people as amply proved by history. They wanted Malta to be a province of Italy, they betrayed Malta by siding with Libya in the oil drilling issue, they fomented unrest and went to foreign countries encouraging them not to invest in Malta and to remove their investment they already had, they betrayed Malta and the MAltese people by making us a colony of the EU with treachery, now they are again siding with the EU foreigners. This is the PN who is a disgrace to their own name and are NOT Nationalists because being a NATIONALIST you put your country first and foremost not undermine those who do so.
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Emmanuel Mallia
Keep it up Joseph !It is worth remembering what Romano Prodi, the then president of the EU commission, once said " we shall transform Malta into a full detention centre for illegal immigrants". And that is what the EU is trying to do ! Simple Simon did nothing but bla bla bla when he was an MEP. It was only an impression that`Simon ever did anything serious about illegal imigration. The UNHCR should realise that we are a minute country.
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Thumbs up mr priminister we are proud of you. Its time to be proud maltese and not be yes men to the eu, we have taken enough bullshit from them.make this a joint event and bring in the italian gov they have the same problems .
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The more protection Malta is granting the more illegal immigrants come to our island. The PM and the Minister concerned should check on what grounds protection is being given. According to the latest asylum statistics by the Refugee Commissioner Malta is the highest that grants some sort of protection.
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Priscilla Darmenia
To the UNHCR: It is easy to be an armchair critic. You better give solid suggestions and solutions that work for our nation’s good. We do not need help in the form of money from the EU. We need to get our space back (remember we are over populated) we need our jobs back, (these illegal immigrants are employed at a fraction of the minimum wage competing with the legitimate worker who is now unemployed) we need our safety back, (one cannot walk in certain areas without being harassed) we need our national character back.
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Push back is very much an option if the overwhelming majority of the common people of Malta say "enough is enough". UNHCR or no UNHCR.
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The PN is a coward lot. It is high time that Malta stand up and be counted. I am certainly sure that the vast majority of the Maltese People, including Nationalists are behind the Prim Minister and its government on this matter. It appears that Simon Busuttil is not a leader.
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The PN lost 36000 votes in the election.Simon,if you are weak and a yes man to EU.Next year in MEP elections you will loose 80000 votes.To show you that Malta belong to us Maltese.
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I am not really affiliated to any party, but on this issue I surely support JM's stance. I had voted in favour of EU entry but I never imagined they would treat us so badly when we needed their solidarity. So yes, Malta should start ignoring some of its international obligations where deemed necessary. That way bigger nations would realize we are not the Cinderella of Europe!
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We need quick action from the EU. Didn't somebody speak about solidarity? Didn't he say that the EU would step in to assist us? Remember these words in the drum up of support to EU membership before 2004? This somebody was Simon Busuttil, the Leader of the Opposition.
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That's just the point. On this issue we are beggars in our own Country, bound by what foreign organisations dictate. Whatever these people say, I am full square behind our Prime Minister. EU and UNHCR, the writing is on the wall. Marie Lepin in France, UKIP in England, Norman Lowell in Malta?
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Do we have a far-right government? It looks like it. Joseph Muscat must be told and made to understand that Malta 2013 is not Alabama 1913 and his garrulous populist tone, verging on the racist, is not acceptable in a civilised country.
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Agreed to 100%. You promised it to us dear Prime Minister. The EU is treating us like fools in this matter and Malta cannot afford this suffocation. This was the only thing that drove me out to vote for the 'Movement' as all our hopes to change this despotic behaviour with regard to the control of immigrants, went out of hand with the previous government. Go ahead Joseph go....please do!!
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Once we laughed at Mr Norman Lowell. Was he right when he said that we are going to be invaded by these illegal immigrants? Aren't there any assets in Senegal, Somalia and the rest? If there were like in Libya then, the Americans and the Europeans would have been the first to go and manage their riches. But because their isn't anything then let them fall and die, or be killed by the few barons that exists in their respective countries.
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UNHCR representative Jon Hoisaeter, if you feel like doing more for these illegal immigrants you and the UNHCR should get your butts moved to the Sub African Counties and do the right thing where it counts, not dictating to our Government from your plush comfy seat. You do the talk but you will not do the walk. The problem starts in the Sub African Countries and that is where you should be if you really want to help these people. The PM's first priority is the Maltese people, while yours is the illegal immigrants. I am sure that I and most Maltese citizens stand with our Prime Minister on this one. You have your priorities and PM Joseph Muscat has his and that is to protect Malta and it's people. That is what the other EU States are doing.
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We have Simon-PN reacting too soon as if to show the people that they have changed....so they opt for supporting the EU against Malta by introducing fear as its ingredient in the new factory of ideas i.e. the so called rehashed PN.
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Why should we except people from Nigeria? Theya are loaded with oil and petrodollars? Why accept people from Tunisia and Algeria they have gas, oil resources and we have none!
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'On whose side are you on Simon'? We demand a clear answer: m'hemmx tidwir mal-lewza bhal ma ghamilt bil-burden sharing li cappst ma wiccna!
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'On whose side are you on Simon'? We demand a clear answer: m'hemmx tidwir mal-lewza bhal ma ghamilt bil-burden sharing li cappst ma wiccna!
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If the EU won't give us the support that we need, it is time to rethink our position as members of the EU. We should consider that a referendum be made to see what the people think now, especially after what we have been going through on this issue. They promised solidarity among all the members, but can you see any tangible solidarity with Malta about burden sharing?
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Prosit PM. If the only comment made to politically score points rather than to propose a united front at a request for a long awaited solution for this country; is a warning that we will become isolated in this problem, we are already isolated, that is the PM's point. The PN who had an opportunity to act and resolve the issue did what? Hypocrisy still reigns I see.
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The PN is acting in a very unpatriotic manner. Indeed the PN has never acted patriotically and the last election massive defeat proves it. Our national interest comes first. The PN is losing a great chance to be united with the national government in the interest of all Maltese whose land is being invaded. Shame on the PN. MY MEP vote next year will definitely be in favour of our Maltese national interest and against those who adore and are scared of all that the foreigner wants to thrust into our throats. SHAME I SAY!! A word to UNHCR: please stop interfering in our internal affairs and convince ex-colonialists to be gentlemen at least once in their lifetime!
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It is safe to say that these illegal immigrants are Muslims. Muslims are peaceful when represented in small numbers. By the time their numbers swell to 10% of the population, they began demanding special rights, considerations, halal meats, burkhas, etc. The only reason they want political asylum in Western nations is for the free welfare benefits. Statistics show 75% of female Muslims never work. They become one of four wives allowed by Islam. In the UK and elsewhere, governments treats them as single mothers and European governments are not forcing mosques to report marriages conducted under Sharia law. Muslim men "marry" their four wives before immigrating to Europe & America. And you wonder why Western nations are going broke? The elite are pushing for a borderless, one world government! We are paying the price for immigration quotas dictated by the UN in Brussels.. Citizens and locals have no voice, or vote in the matter. UN dictates immigration quotas for the 17 member nations of the European Union. Our national sovereignty was hijacked by our leaders elected into office. Is it any wonder that the UNHCR an organ of the Rockefellar controlled UN is objecting to Malta taking the reigns in controlling its own destiny. The only 'threats' that one can see is the ones made by the UN and its representative, the EU. Time to get out of this mess and sham called the EU!
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What support did Simple Simon get with his burden sharing? Nil, Nada, Zero, Xejn. You have to stand up to the arrogant EU dicktators not lick their AR$€. Van Rompuy for a 24 hour visit? Oh he's just coming to $HIT and PI$$ and we get nothiong else.
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Well done to the PM for starting to tackle the problem with the EU structures in the proper firm way which we ordinary citizens expect . We are fed up of being taken for a ride by the EU as happened with the softly softly approach adopted by Simon Busuttil. The current situation is becoming untenable and it will lead to a long term disastrous change to the very fabric of our nation. We should reflect on a recent UK home office report which stated "‘uncontrolled’ flow had caused a number of problems for wider society, ranging from pressure on maternity services, high rates of infectious diseases and a squeeze on school places, to disproportionate levels of some types of crime, inflated rents and immigrants living in ‘beds in sheds’".
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If the old recycled PN thinks that its negative approach even were Malta,s interest are concerned are being enjoyed by those 36,000 voters,the PN is preparing itself for another deserved surprise for the next MEP elections
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The weak leadership of Simon is showing, a yes man of Europe I might add. Who will stick up for Maltese interests? I'm with Joseph on this one, the PN are losing their way.
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If the PN does not reallise that Dr Muscat's stance has the support of 90% of the Maltese people, then it will deserve to lose the next election by 100 000 votes (and not just 36 000). As for UNHCR it has always spoken and acted against Malta's national interest and should just be ignored.
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Well done M Muscat, as you said we are not beggars.And this is our country.
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At last our dignity as a people is being protected. We cannot allow this to go on much longer. We're in a situation where Maltese population growth is being outstripped year after year by an alarmingly large number of illegal immigrants. These people need help, we'll give it, these people's target is EU MAINLAND not Malta. So either EU takes them, or else they go back to where they came from. The ball lies in EUROPE'S COURT!! I'm more than certain that all Maltese with some grey matter are supporting Dr. Joseph Muscat's side!
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Paul Sammut
On this issue, whatever their political beliefs, most Maltese are behind their government.
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Or else what? Malta should tell the EU that it is ready to declare that it is no longer bound by the so-called international obligations. I'm sure the Jesuit Refugee Service will support such a declaration by the Maltese government.
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Well done, ask the Eu to take all the illegal immigrants if possible. We cannot handle them. Is it true that there is one illegal immigrant to every 50 Maltese citizens? Wait till they start electing these people to our parliament or European Parliament!!! The we will use the same boats they used to escape to Mainland Europe!!!!