32 immigrants of various nationalities who had arrived irregularly in Malta were relocated. This as part of a strategy that focuses on prevention, return and relocation. Thus, until now, during this year 104 irregular immigrants will have been relocated to other countries of the European Union.
This while those whose request for international protection is rejected are being sent back to their country of origin. The relocation took place as part of the Voluntary Solidarity Mechanism, intended to reduce the burden of irregular immigration from border countries.
The Minister for the Interior, Security, Reforms and Equality Byron Camilleri reminded that relocation is the most effective means by which other European countries and the European Union can reduce the burden of irregular immigration from on the border countries, especially in the case of Malta, due to its size and geographical position. Through its strategy of prevention, return and relocation, in the first half of 2023 Malta managed to reduce arrivals and return and relocate the same amount of immigrants as arrived since the beginning of the year.
“This while the government continues to work fully on prevention, including in cooperation with Libya, in order to reduce the possibility of deaths and subsequently it has reached a considerable reduction of irregular arrivals, and the return of persons who do not require protection in Malta. This work is being reflected in the figures of the last two years where the number of irregular immigrants who have been returned to their country has increased while the number of arrivals has decreased substantially,” concluded Minister Camilleri.
The preparations for the relocation involved the assistance of many entities in the fields of security, as well as the International Organization of Immigration (IOM) and the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA). The relocation is co-financed by the European Union, including under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF).
Photo: MHSRi.
