The Maltese government will issue a call for expressions of interest for a ship, with the aim of keeping immigrants in quarantine.
The government is working hard to reduce arrivals to Malta, so much so that in recent weeks thousands of immigrants who began their journey from Libya have been rescued in Libyan waters and taken back from where they began their journey. Work has also continued on relocations and returns of people who are not eligible for protection.
Despite this, cases continue to arise where in Maltese waters the choice is between whether people who are drowning are saved or whether they are allowed to die. In these cases, Malta will have no choice but to save in accordance with its legal and international obligations to which it is bound.
To date, all necessary precautions have already been taken in cases where positive immigrants have been found and they have always been kept isolated. The government has even opened a Red Cross-operated clinic in Ħal Far.
At this stage, the Maltese government felt that there should also be the option of using this vessel to better control and manage the situation.
This vessel must complement the work of the Maltese government, which is primarily focused on preventing arrivals, and its use is intended for when the Armed Forces of Malta have no choice but to rescue persons. which are sinking.
‘Blue Heart’ is also becoming better known as the symbol against trafficking in human beings, where on the one hand it represents the suffering of trafficked persons, and on the other hand the cruel heart of traffickers.
