The Ministry for Justice and Home Affairs has issued a statement referring to the report titled “Not Criminals,” issued by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) yesterday in Brussels.

The Ministry said it notes with disappointment that MSF is persisting in criticising Malta in the most unfair manner by publishing a dramatised report which is nothing more than thinly-veiled attack on Malta’s detention policy – a matter outside of MSF’s remit.

It went on to say that should be noted that the reason behind Malta’s detention policy is not to deter the arrival of more illegal immigrants, but rather to safeguard the country’s security. It should be borne in mind that practically all illegal immigrants reach Malta undocumented, and proper identification is by no means easy. This should also make it clear that detention is not intended as a form of punishment.

The government added that the Maltese authorities also distinguish between illegal immigrants and asylum seekers who enter the country illegally. In fact, the Maltese system foresees a maximum detention period of 18 months for illegal immigrants, and a detention period not exceeding 12 months for asylum seekers who enter the country illegally. Detention is exercised on the grounds of illegal entry.

The government said it recognises that crowding in detention centres is a concern. MSF however fails to appreciate that this situation is a direct result of the larger number of illegal immigrants that landed in Malta during 2008 and the atypical arrival of more illegal immigrants during the first two months of this year. In these circumstances blaming crowding and the problems created by it on the Maltese authorities is both unfair and devoid of a realistic appraisal of the situation. This is especially so when considering that the Ta’ Kandja detention centre has just been expanded and is already full to capacity.

It also mentioned that the Maltese authorities are doing their utmost to improve reception conditions. Unfortunately, the unusual arrival of over 700 immigrants in the first two months of this year delayed plans for refurbishment. However, in spite of this, the Hermes Block which is frequently mentioned by MSF in its report, is currently undergoing major restructuring and refurbishing.

The government said that the impression that MSF is trying to put across, that the health problems being faced by illegal immigrants are down to Malta’s detention policy, is grossly misleading and unrealistic. It should be evident that a degree of crowding in any reception facility in Malta, be it closed or open, is in the present circumstances inevitable. It should be borne in mind that the purpose of our detention policy is to maintain security – even from a health point-of-view. In this regard, detention also ensures what is for us a priority – that the immigrants be treated for any infectious disease prior to their release into the community. The immediate release of illegal immigrants that MSF seems to be suggesting would only exacerbate these problems.

The Ministry said it would also like to take this opportunity to reiterate that vulnerable persons are not subject to the detention requirement. Such persons have their freedom restricted only until such time as the necessary medical clearance is obtained – usually this takes less than a fortnight. Again, the sheer number of arrivals experienced during the first two months of the year has unfortunately resulted in the handful of exceptions mentioned by MSF which have since been addressed.

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