‘Fulfilling international responsibilities is the only way forward’ - AD

Alternattiva Demokratika called on the Maltese authorities to respect human rights and save the immigrants on board the MT Salamis.

In a statement to the press, AD said that while each EU state declared Libya as an unsafe port, it was unacceptable that both Prime Minister and Leader of Opposition are willing to send the immigrants back to Libya, the country of departure.

“In a context where Malta, Italy, Libya and the EU are looking at this situation as a show of force where no one wants to appear weak and retreat from his position, everyone is forgetting the lives of the migrants are at stake,” Arnold Cassola said. 

He said the approach adopted by these parties breach and disregard human rights.

AD deputy chairman Carmel Cacopardo said the only way forward is to give the needed humanitarian aid.

“As things developed, humanitarian action should be taken by both Malta and Italy, with concrete help from the European Union since Libya is not trustworthy,” he concluded.

MT Salamis left the port of Khom in Libya on Sunday and was asked to rescue the migrants, stranded at around 46 nautical miles off the Libyan coast.

The oil tanker, destined for Malta, sailed towards the island but was stopped before it entered the territorial waters.