Alternattiva Demokratika-The Green party expresses its deep concern on the refoulement of Somali migrants, handed over to Libyan authorities.

Prof Arnold Cassola, AD spokesperson on EU and International Affairs, stated, “The Maltese government should never hand over to Libya, a country that has not signed the Geneva convention on human rights, irregular migrants like Somalis who, according to international rule of law, have the right to apply for protection as refugees. It would seem that the Maltese government has taken a leaf out of the Berlusconi government book and is involved in shady dealings with the Libyan authorities with regards to the return of migrants coming from endangered places.”

“It is shameful that both the Maltese government led by Dr Gonzi and the Maltese opposition party led by Dr Muscat are agreeing on Berlusconi’s dubious way of handling the issue and, indeed, imitating it. This is a really an issue where the EU should wake up from its slumber and adopt a common European policy on migration rather than leave the issue in the hands of individual countries led by Prime Ministers, like Silvio Berlusconi, who are more intent on covering up for Ministers and MPs allegedly dealing with mafiosi and camorristi than protecting basic human rights,” added Arnold Cassola.

Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson, said, “AD endorses the concerns of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and NGOs who are struggling for the protection of basic human rights of migrants. Once again, the Nationalist and Labour Parties, through their silence, are confirming that when it comes to the immigration issue, cheap populism comes before basic human rights.”

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