Yearbook 2006
Malta. According to
CountryAAH, the Government of Malta appealed to the EU for help
with the many refugees that have flowed to the country since
joining the Union in 2004. From January to October 2006,
nearly 1,700 refugees came to the small country, which with
its 400,000 residents is one of the the most densely
populated in the world. The year before came 1,800, the vast
majority by boat from northern Africa. Over 700 refugees
were kept locked up in a crowded detention camp. Most boat
refugees wanted to go to mainland Europe, but ended up on Malta
by mistake or because they had no other choice. Malta has a
tough refugee policy and only a few receive asylum or
residence permits for humanitarian reasons.
In July, Malta received criticism from the UN for the
country's refusal to let about 50 African boat refugees
ashore. They had been rescued from the sea off M. by a
Spanish ship. After negotiations with Spain and the EU, Malta
agreed to receive three of the refugees who were in need of
care. The others were taken care of by Spain. Later, the EU
promised to patrol the waters of M using boats and aircraft
to try to stop the refugee stream. However, in order for the
surveillance to be effective, the EU wanted help from Libya,
which the Union received no promise of during the year.
Libya and other African countries require increased
assistance to help reduce emigration from Africa to Europe.
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