Independent candidates

Arnold Cassola

I believe that the EU should guarantee that these NGOs act ‘humanely’, in accordance with the exigencies dictated by natural law. This means that saving lives at sea should be the priority. However, the EU should take up responsibility for drawing up a common EU code of conduct at sea, when faced with such tragic situations.

Antoine Borg

From my point of view the EU wastes its time and resources by focusing on a symptom of the problem. The real problem is not having migrants in the Med; it is the people-trafficking rings who enslave people and send them off to their death in rickety boats in the Mediterranean. Europe should tackle the root of the problem if it wants to sort out the symptoms.

Stephen Florian

NGO ships should be controlled and registered by one EU body which would then give account for the true state of affairs in the Mediterranean. Burden-sharing should also be administered and enforced by the same governing body, in line with the country of registration of the NGO rescue ships. EU inspectors should be stationed on board all rescue ships in order to see that all the rules are enforced. At the same time, the EU should set up effective monitoring stations on African land in order to help assist prospective economic migrants back to the safety of their homelands wherever possible and help them achieve a status quo in their countries of origin. At this stage, a second EU organisation is needed for financing and rebuilding democracy and economies in African countries who need such help. Countries such as China should not be allowed to exploit Africa for its mineral resources (as they are currently doing). Arms sales and human trafficking should be banished and perpetrators should be clamped down with the full force of International Law. The EU has to rise up to the challenge and abolish the modern slave market for good.

Mario Borg

The standing Malta-EU treaty must be abolished, including Malta’s obligation to house ‘migrants’ who intend to migrate to other countries. Malta must also distance itself from policies that promote ‘regime change’. A distinction between rescuing and providing a ferry service is essential. Waiting for passengers to arrive is not ‘rescue’. Travelling from sub-Saharan countries to Europe is long and expensive. Considering the poverty in such countries, many passengers can only acquire enough money through criminal means, including robbery. Consequently NGOs are amplifying the chaos in Africa. The captains of vessels abusing maritime rescue obligations should have their licences and registration nullified.

Joe Aquilina

My vision is to help African people in their own continent. I will be pushing forward my idea and identifying those countries that are willing to welcome African citizens. I believe that the EU should help these countries develop and become the envy of their neighbours, therefore excelling in industry and tourism. Because certain countries enjoy a great deal of sun, I believe they could contribute solar energy to Europe, thereby helping Europe reduce the harmful emissions from power stations. I see no need for the work of NGOs as I believe they are just helping illegal human trafficking. I believe it is Africa that needs Europeans, and not vice-versa. Unfortunately, for some reason the EU is not doing its best.