UN special rapporteur on migrant rights on Malta visit

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants, François Crépeau, will visit Malta from 6 to 10 December 2014 as follow-up to his 2012 year-long study on the management of the external borders of the European Union.

“Given Malta's proximity to North Africa, Malta is a key entry point for those wishing to reach Europe,” Mr. Crépeau said. “Understanding how this maritime border is managed, and their impact on the human rights of migrants, will be an essential part of the visit to Malta.''

During his four-day country visit to Malta, the independent expert will meet with a range of Government officials responsible for border management, EU institutions present in the country, international organisations, and migrants themselves, to discuss the complex management of the Malta maritime border.

Crépeau's visit to Malta is the second stage in his follow-up study on the management of the EU external borders. He is currently on an official visit to Italy, as another key entry point for migrants to Europe.

At the end of the mission, the UN Special Rapporteur will share his preliminary conclusions at a press conference on 10 December 2014 at 10am, at the Grand Excelsior Hotel.

The follow-up study, launched by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants will result in a country mission report and a thematic report on EU border management which will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in June 2015.