Labour Party

Miriam Dalli

I will continue pushing for policies guided by international laws and standards, which seek to disrupt the trafficking of people. Rescuing lives at sea is an obligation and there should be a coordinated European response, taking into consideration the rights and obligations of each Member State. This could also mean coordination between EU agencies and NGOs, with clear rules of operation agreed to at an EU level.

Robert Micallef

We need proper European guidelines and arrangements for temporary measures as a first step towards a permanent European system that will give us a balance between solidarity and responsibility. We cannot sustain the current system of ad hoc negotiations amongst member states every time migrants are rescued in the Mediterranean because this puts lives at risk. We will continue to respect international obligations but we will reject any attempt to make Malta a Mediterranean disembarkation centre for refugees stranded at sea. At the same time, the EU will maintain its efforts to help create economic opportunities in Africa. During the Maltese Presidency of the EU, I had the privilege of chairing the negotiations with the European Parliament for a €44 billion investment plan to stem irregular migration flows from Africa to Europe by creating economic opportunities across the continent.

Alex Agius Saliba

NGOs, especially those with operations in the Mediterranean, need to be adequately and properly regulated. They must respect rules. We cannot end up in a situation where the NGOs race against the coast guards to reach migrants, or end up exploited by smuggler models in the Mediterranean. If the EU does not act now, then the efforts and investment to train the Libyan coastguard and prevent departures to avoid the loss of lives at sea will be in vain.

My idea is that NGOs rescuing migrants should have strict rules and must comply with the instructions given by maritime coordination centres. If they do not do this, then there need to be consequences. Their whereabouts need to be monitored at all times.

Cyrus Engerer

The EU must differentiate between bona fide NGOs that work hard to save lives and other NGOs who are abusing the system and endangering the lives of refugees by luring them to the sea. The European Border and Coast Guard Agency’s strengthened role must now leave its mark. While Malta will retain primary responsibility of its borders and security, the 10,000 coast guards that will be deployed by the agency must leave their mark.

Fleur Vella

Having spent over a decade participating in NGOs, I cannot over-emphasis how important this sector is for social well-being. However, it is important that NGOs respect the law just as any other person does. In the event of NGOs not respecting the law, action needs to be taken accordingly at European level instead of all the responsibility being imposed on border member states.

Lorna Vassallo

A directive or regulation should be proposed. If not, at least harmonisation should be sought between all member states. In December 2018, the Court of Auditors itself said the system is not transparent. NGO Status is based on self-declaration and some have breached international laws, if not criminal laws. Although their work is usually highly commendable, international law and human rights should be the beacons that guide states and organisations alike for a solution to be found. The health, dignity and human rights of migrants should be protected at all times. Politically, Africa should be a priority.

Mary Gauci

The international obligations and rights of each member state, together with the safety of the immigrants, should be kept in mind while discussing an agreed way forward by all concerned.

Felix Galea Busuttil

Let me start by voicing my main concern regarding immigration. Europe means solidarity and Europeans ought to stand as one – united to safeguard EU directives and loyal in the fair distribution of migrants. Malta has obeyed all the regulations and has not only stepped in as refuge but also as a mediator. In a merciful Europe, no nation can close its borders and dust off international and communal responsibilities. A life, no matter in what form, must be protected and saved and, once saved, international and continental equitable laws must be respected. If an NGO is saving ONE life, then that NGO must be supported. Nevertheless, it would be advisable if immigration is tackled beyond the seas and its dangers – ie, at the start of each relevant journey.

Josianne Cutajar

There needs to be a realistic discussion about the way NGOs operate. I believe that the European Agency responsible for border control and search and rescue operations also needs to invest in the reception facilities of all EU Member States. It should also itself be responsible for the fair and equitable redistribution of asylum seekers among Member States if we are to see effective changes in this regard especially for states on the periphery. In this context, NGOs rescuing migrants should be dealing directly with the Agency and not with individual states and their differing agendas.

Josef Caruana

Today, people – including myself – are having serious doubts about how NGOs work in the Mediterranean, since they seem to operate in a free-for-all situation. We have heard of unregistered ships and even claims of Mafia involvement. It’s the least to say that one pretends that such NGOs have to abide by international maritime laws, while also respecting a country’s rights. A realistic debate and investigation by the European Union is much needed in order to confirm that millions of funds

are being correctly spent.

Noel Cassar

There needs to be a constructive discussion between all parties on how NGOs operates. NGOs are there to help migrants but are not there to incentivize them to migrate to European shores. Unfortunately, during the past decade, this was one of the main reasons why we had experienced a high influx of illegal migration. The NGOs must respect international obligations on how to operate and not ending up breaching them. Furthermore, the rights of each member state should be respected.