29 failed asylum seekers await their fate at Safi detention centre

Twenty-nine failed asylum seekers are still being detained at the Safi detention centre, awaiting their fate. 

The group of migrants – some of whom have been living in Malta for the past eight years – used to regularly report to the police headquarters to get their papers renewed. But last week everything changed when they were given an appointment on Monday morning to renew their documents, only to end up being detained and taken to the detention centre with plans to deport them.

The original group of migrants – all from Mali – amounted to 33. Four of them were later released following a review carried out by the Office of the Refugee Commissioner; one was found to hold a valid permit and a second is the father of a child born in Malta.

Speaking to MaltaToday, Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela confirmed that the failed asylum seekers are at the Safi detention centre awaiting the arrival of an African delegation.

Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela said the arrested people are awaiting the arrival of an African delegation before being deported

The delegation is expected in Malta at the beginning of December and forms part of a wider “initiative” being organised by the European Union’s External Action Service.

“The delegation is on an identification mission coordinated by the EU,” Abela said, adding that it included “experts” able to identify these persons.

In the case of this group, the “criteria” for deportation was that their country of origin is Mali and they had allegedly not been entitled to any form of protection. Their sudden arrest sparked fear amongst the migrant community and raised the concern of human rights NGOs who were left questioning the future of these people.

Questioned about the fact that the group included migrants who have been in Malta for several years, Abela insisted that a return decision “doesn’t hold an expiry date”.

“A return decision doesn’t hold an expiry date; the issue with returns is periodically discussed at European Council level, mainly because once a decision is taken to repatriate migrants we face hurdles on their actual deportation,” he said, adding that the European Union was “not quick on sending them back”.

“Like we want to ensure the relocation of migrants, we also want to ensure repatriation. By not sending back failed asylum seekers it will only serve as a pull factor.”

In June, the European Commission announced a new migration partnership framework, “seeking tailor made partnerships with key third countries of origin and transit” in a bid to facilitate the deportation of migrants whilst assisting these countries financially. The European Union, on behalf of member states, has essentially taken it on itself to ensure that the migrants’ rights are protected once they are returned to their country of origin.

The agreement is being implemented by the European External Action Service and targets people from Niger, Nigeria, Mali, Senegal and Ethiopia. The member states are tasked with identifying the groups, whilst the EEAS coordinate the returns.

Last month, EU leaders said they wanted so-called “compacts” – agreements with African countries to curb migration in exchange for development aid – with the five countries to be ready by spring 2017. The 28-bloc said it would “apply the necessary leverage, using all relevant EU policies, instruments and tools, including development and trade” to reduce migrant flows. 

Their deportation comes amidst changes to the Temporary Humanitarian Protection – N(ew) [THP-n], which will no longer allow new applicants to apply for it.