MEPs criticise government’s stand on migration
MEPs from various political groupings sign declaration criticising the government’s methods in dealing with migration.
A number of MEPs from the European People's Party, Socialists, Greens and Communists signed a joint declaration in which they said that under no circumstances should EU member states co9nsider employing illegal methods to deal with the influx of migrants.
Members of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs in the European Parliament and others from across the political spectrum have signed a declaration criticising the actions of the government, which this week considered sending migrants back to Libya hours after reaching Malta by sea.
The declaration states that "under no circumstances should EU member states consider implementing policies that have been ruled illegal by the European Court of Human Rights, or threaten to do so."
Moreover, the MEPs urged the government to address such concerns through "diplomacy and dialogue."
They also deplored the threat of using a veto on unrelated EU measures.
In reaction to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat's threat to use the veto if the EU does not come to Malta's aid in its efforts to deal with migration, the MEPs said that such threats, especially prior to any negotiations, are "misguided and counterproductive. It runs counter to the spirit of the European Union."
The declaration also pointed out the need for greater EU solidarity with Malta on the question of illegal immigration and further states that "nations on the periphery of the European Union require greater assistance in dealing with asylum seekers, but [we] emphasise the need to use legal and ethical means to request that assistance."
Maltese MEPs David Casa and Roberta Metsola said: "No one is denying that we have a serious problem at hand - we are a small densely populated island and thus have our limits. But human lives should not be used as bargaining chips. This behaviour tarnishes Malta's reputation and is detrimental to our cause."
Signatories to the declaration include Tunne Kelam from the EPP, Ana Gomes from the Socialist Group, Sarah Ludford from the Liberals, Jean Lambert from the Greens and Sabine Lösing from GUE/NGL.