Partit Demokratiku

Godfrey Farrugia

First and foremost, the EU asylum migration system has been handled in a way that is not fit for purpose. There is no long-term plausible strategy and there should be a forthcoming common EU response. I am in favour of human rights and human dignity. Migration should be an organised process and humanitarian corridors should be created and overseen when mass displacement occurs of natural calamities and war. I am also in favour of refugees and asylum seekers seeking advice regarding processing their requests at centres in host countries rather than having to cross the Mediterranean Sea as boat people. With regard to disembarkation and NGOs, each one of them has to be taken within the pretext of an adhoc policy, since there is no long-term policy because it is something short-term. Malta needs to guard its sovereignty, identity and sustainability because of its limited accommodation capacity. From an EU angle, we need to safeguard solidarity, equity and humanity. There are also international laws and so diplomacy needs to be involved, as does compassion. Each NGO issue has to be supported on its own merits.

Anthony Buttigieg

Whilst it is paramount that we save all those who attempt to cross the Mediterranean, it is evident that some NGOs, through their enthusiasm to do just that, have played into the hands of human traffickers and organised crime. It is also obvious there is no communication between them and EU naval/border patrols. One of the ways this could be avoided is if NGOs are registered and there is a coordinated effort, via a central control, between EU security forces and the NGOs. This would lead to a greater understanding between the two and less manipulation by darker forces.

Martin Cauchi Inglott

The EU has failed on the migration front for 17 years. Calamities at sea have led countries to step in to save lives, but then stepping out after creating a pull factor – the void being filled by NGOs. Although NGOs are doing a very noble job in saving lives, search and rescue remains a national competence. So, if elected, my focus would be towards building a strong relationship with Libya, with the objective of establishing EU asylum processing centres there, whilst simultaneously supporting the UN to repatriate those migrants from Libya who do not qualify for asylum, thus avoiding the loss of life at sea.