Nigeria to repatriate failed asylum seekers

Malta and Nigeria have signed a cooperation agreement for the repatriation of those migrants that enter Malta irregularly. 

The agreement was signed at the EU-Africa Summit in Brussels between the foreign minister George Vella and Nigerian counterpart Aminu Wali.

In Malta, there are at present 155 Nigerian nationals that have not been granted a refugee status.

The agreement guarantees the safeguarding of the human rights of the people who are repatriated. It also stipulates that repatriated persons will not be maltreated in any way once they return to their country.

“This agreement provides also that the persons returning to their country will be re-integrated in the most dignified manner,” the government said.

“The two sides also agreed that the fight against criminal rackets organising human trafficking be intensified.”

The government said the agreement showed that it was taking “concrete measures in addressing irregular immigration.”

“The cooperation and dialogue with Nigeria is crucial, particularly due to the fact that in Malta there is a Nigerian community that is already integrated fully into the Maltese society. The repatriation of irregular migrants can also be done through EU funds earmarked for the return of those persons not granted asylum to their country of origin,” the government said.