Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Thank you for accepting my invitation when in Geneva, to consider a deeper dialogue with us here in Malta regarding irregular migration, persons seeking asylum, persons who have been granted protection and those who have not been granted protection.
Malta is at the cross roads of dreamed dreams, human tragedy, heroic virtue, expectations, genuine efforts to save people’s lives and the crude reality of limited resources, which at times may be the unwilling cause of further human suffering.
Irregular Migration is a difficult challenge faced by our country as the sheer size of the Maltese islands and our geographical position, places us at the forefront of this reality. Significant number of people, triggered by their individual dreams and desires continue to leave the shores of North Africa with the hope of reaching mainland Europe, some come with the hope of a better life, through reaching the richer Nordic countries, but many others seek safety from persecution, discrimination and conflict.
Therefore, Malta finds itself as a central part of the demands and expectations of those who rightly want to ensure that the innate dignity of each and every human person is respected. This is something we must commit to. However, we also find ourselves in the middle of an equally substantial debate about issues of national security and the challenges that irregular migration presents Malta and the rest of the European Union.
Context
Just a few months ago, in my capacity as Minister for the Family and Social Solidarity, during my visit in Geneva, I approached both IOM and UNHCR, and presented the special context of our small islands. I suggested that we should continue this conversation, not only in Geneva but also here in Malta, and I am delighted that you readily agreed and acted on this so quickly.
Now, as the President of Malta I am offering the opportunity for UNHCR, IOM, representatives from the different Ministries, and later today to other stakeholders, to continue with this conversation. As the President of Malta, I want to facilitate this dialogue to enhance our collaboration at a national level but also with the International Community. Malta can surely learn from the good practice of other countries, but we can also discuss our own models of good practice whilst sharing the difficulties we face and which require resolution. In many areas Malta also needs assistance.
Irregular Migration
As the host of these meetings I want to invite you to consider irregular migration as a fact, beyond the political tensions that usually mark discussions about it. Malta, though not in isolation from other countries, particularly those neighbouring us, has been facing this reality for a number of years, and we will probably still be faced with the challenge of responding to this human plight for more years to come.
We have received people from Sub-Saharan Africa, West Africa as well as people from the Arab region, particularly Syria, coming to our shores, asking for our help and asking for asylum. Historically Malta has a tradition of offering protection and assistance as a safe haven in the Mediterranean but the regular numbers we receive every summer do pose a serious challenge. Apart from the sheer numbers, we witness tragedies, of human persons losing their lives in our seas; that same sea which connects us to our neighbours becomes the final destination and burial site for many people’s dreams and lives.
Here I also want to acknowledge the work of those who are at the rescue of these same people, those who receive them at port and the many workers operating at various points of the life journey of asylum seekers, refugees, people with protection or those who are not granted any status. These too, many of them Maltese, witness and participate in the life journey of those arriving at our shores, sharing the joys and sufferings and often also witnessing tragedy that this kind of migration brings. Particularly bearing in mind those working at the point of rescue at sea, who are not only part of the noble work of saving lives but at times also having to witness men, women and children suffering at sea or even dead. They frequently put their own life at peril, facing adverse conditions to rescue the life of others.
Irregular migration brings with it all of these experiences, of asylum seekers themselves but also the experiences of those who are directly involved in their day to day life, through work, be it paid or voluntary and thus it also becomes a Maltese human experience, where the encounter and relationships start happening already at the first point of contact at sea.
UNHCR and IOM
UNHCR and IOM know this very well and bring a global perspective, with a wealth of experience and wisdom that can undoubtedly help us to better manage the difficulties we face with regard to irregular migration. I am also confident that Malta can offer both IOM and UNHCR an interesting context to gain further insights into this reality. Due to our small size, UNHCR and IOM could also consider piloting projects which might be more difficult to test in larger countries.
Separated and Unaccompanied Children
For instance, the particular issue of unaccompanied children asylum seekers and children who arrive at our shores with their parent, parents or immediate family, is one facet of migration which I would like to put on the table for your discussions.
We often speak of migration and asylum seekers but may overlook the diversity of migrant people themselves. Like in other situations, children may become invisible, their needs overshadowed by the needs of adults and families. This is not to say that families and adults are not deserving of attention, but sometimes they might overshadow the specific requirements of children whose individual needs deserve particular attention according to their age and developmental stage in life.
I would like to again draw your attention to migrant children asylum seekers because of their added vulnerability and because they are experiencing the migration journey and asylum process as children, as part of their childhood experience. I want to thank IOM and UNHCR for listening to my profound concern with regard to migrant children asylum seekers. I also want to thank the Prime Minister for publically committing to further ensure the well-being of unaccompanied children, and I thank all the Ministries who are collaborating to logistically make this possible.
Thank you for honouring our Maltese identity as people who know how to offer hospitality, especially to those who are most vulnerable and need protection from persecution and oppression.
Migrant children asylum seekers themselves are not a homogeneous group and have their own individual needs. I am aware that as a country we are committed to meet those needs, but it is also true that this poses challenges, not least in terms of capacity. It is here that once again I would like to invite UNHCR and IOM to study and explore the possibilities where you can offer us practical assistance. Our interest is that all children in Malta enjoy well-being and enjoy their childhood in the here and now of their own lives, but we need your support to achieve this.
As you must know, Malta is receiving ever larger numbers of unaccompanied children and persons claiming to be children, which is an issue of concern. It is exactly because of this concern that I would like to offer you a platform for discussion so as to facilitate the achievement of durable solutions and minimize the risks for all of these children. For Malta to achieve its obligations we need international support, and this is another reason why your visit today is so important for us, this is already a sign that gives us much hope.
Migration – Wider context
As you well know, irregular and forced migration are complex realities; the dream of El Dorado Europe, the distribution of wealth, climate change, armed conflict, and the oppression of people and societies force people to move. Security and national interests are also part of this complex reality. For many people on the move the reality ‘on the other side’ results in shattered dreams, the tragic end of lives and at times the forced separation of families.
I am aware that there is no one solution to these difficulties but I do believe that there can be some solutions. That is why I have welcomed the proposal to extend these conversations to family tracing, family reunification – where and when possible – and of course the whole discussion that revolves around that.
I am also mindful of the fact that Maltese authorities have a wide range of concerns in relation to migration issues. Again, I welcome the various issues that the different Ministries asked us to consider whilst preparing for these meetings. As the Head of State, these concerns are also my concerns, and I feel duty bound to once again facilitate a platform for a serene exchange to take place on such matters; health concerns in relation to migration, and the particular context of the possibility of receiving a larger than usual number of irregular migrants arriving to Malta, the eventuality of an emergency, the need for Malta to intervene because of a humanitarian crisis and the need to be prepared for crisis management, these are some of the areas I am informed that stakeholders would like to discuss.
Both IOM and UNHCR have a wealth of knowledge, experience and expertise in relation to these situations and I look to you for that tangible support you may be able to give, to help us further build our capacity for such eventualities.
Conclusion
I am hopeful that in the coming days you will get a deeper understanding of the Maltese context and how irregular migration is experienced by us. I also hope that the encounters you will have with the refugees and irregular immigrants themselves, particularly the unaccompanied children help you better understand where Malta might need further assistance.
My invitation is that whilst we cannot overlook the various complex realities that irregular migration poses, the human face of irregular migration, with all of its beautiful diversity should never be forgotten. Irregular migration is about children, women and men, married, single or separated families, of persons of a different sexual orientation or gender identity, whose dream is to find that place where they can be who they are and live in peace. As a nation we are proud of our values of solidarity and unity, as we too have dreamed and struggled for peace and can understand that same deep human desire which is universal.
I wish you a fruitful and worthwhile mission during your stay in Malta and look forward to your final recommendations on Wednesday.