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Labour says burden sharing is a ‘failure’
Following the rescue of 246 persons at sea by AFM, Labour describes Voluntary Burden Sharing as a failure.
12 November 2012, 12:00am
Jurgen Balzan
Jurgen Balzan
1 min read
246 migrants were rescued by the AFM on Friday, including 48 women and seven children.
The latest landing of around 250 migrants is a reminder of the problem Malta is facing in the sector, Labour MP Michael Falzon said.
The Labour MP's statement follows the arrival of 246 migrants on Friday, which included 48 women and seven children.
The migrants, mostly Eritrean, were rescued by the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) after the fishing boat they were was stranded about 140 nautical miles southeast of Malta.
The Jesuit Refugee Service Malta and the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice commended the efforts to rescue the migrants and called upon the authorities to maintain their commitment to saving lives and to guarantee access to protection for those who need it.
However, Falzon said that Malta needs to be more active at a European level and described Voluntary Burden Sharing as a failure.
Falzon said that "only 4% of migrants who come to Malta were transferred to other European countries, showing that there is no tangible solidarity with Malta."
Jurgen Balzan was a MaltaToday reported from 2011 to 2017.
Luke Camilleri •
No wonder Voluntary Burden Sharing as a failure with the BURDEN the Maltese have to carry - Lawrence Gonzi & Co.!
Luke Camilleri •
No wonder Voluntary Burden Sharing as a failure with the BURDEN the Maltese have to carry - Lawrence Gonzi & Co.!
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Malta needs to be more active in European fora to persuade the EU to upgrade Frontex into a robust coastguard to defend the EU's southern frontiers. In the meantime I have not heard Dr Gonzi's reaction to the arrival of 246 illegal immigrants at one go last week. Is he happy about it?
