Courage to Change: Policies on Migration

Today, 27th May, I had the opportunity to meet with the Jesuit Refugee Service – Malta, JRS. We discussed a number of systemic issues related to migration in Malta, and the JRS shared their experiences working in this sector over the past 30 years.

On the 17th May, for the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and other anti-LGBTQI hate, I attended an event organised by Drachma. Three LGBT migrants told their stories of living in Malta. Then aditus foundation presented the IDAHOBIT Declaration, which calls on the Government to extend LGBTQI+ rights to migrants and refugees. I was happy to sign this declaration.

I reproduce the notes and speaking points which I prepared for the meeting with JRS, here.

On a European level:

I am growing increasingly concerned by the Government alliances in other European Union member states between the right-wing, liberals, and the far-right. E.g. Netherlands, Sweden. Where the far-right has grown in strength primarily through scapegoating migrants and instrumentalizing migration, spreading fear and resentment.
I am angry at the EPP’s and Von der Leyen’s refusal to confirm that they will not ally with the ECR in forming the next European Parliament majorities.
I am upset by the European Parliament’s position on Israel’s war in Gaza.
I note that the Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament were amongst the only ones working to ensure safe and legal pathways to the EU for asylum seekers; and against the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum that got voted in recently.

The 2024 manifesto of the European Green Party ‘Courage to Change’ calls for:

Upholding human rights with a humane asylum system, ‘responsibility sharing and solidarity’ are necessary for a fair asylum system. People seeking safety should be treated with humanity. The right to asylum is not up for negotiation. Procedures need to be fast and decentralised. Relocation mechanisms between member states need to be made mandatory.
Replicating the successful use of the Temporary Protection Directive in response to the war in Ukraine, towards other asylum seekers.
EU visas for Human Rights and Environmental Defenders, and legal protection for people forcibly displaced due to the climate crisis and environmental disasters.
Ending the criminalisation of people on the move. Illegal push backs at the border of the EU must end.
Rescue to stop being criminalised. EU-funded and led Search and Rescue Missions should be introduced in the Mediterranean. The militarisation of our borders is not acceptable. Activists and NGOs helping people at sea should not be criminalised.
No prison or detention for seeking asylum. Seeking asylum is not a crime. Asylum seekers should be guaranteed access to legal help.
No dirty deals with dictators, and fierce opposition to so-called ‘migration deals’, like the one with Tunisia. Making development cooperation with third countries conditional on ‘migration management’ is unethical.
Regularisation of long-term undocumented people living in the EU.

On a local level:

The campaigns for the EP have seen unprecedented nationalism, xenophobia, and racism from many candidates. Including the scapegoating of migrants.
It is deplorable that the AFM does not answer distress calls in Maltese waters.
Abdalla, Amara, and Kader’s lives are in limbo, due to the criminalisation of rescue. The charges of terrorism against them are reprehensible.
Kusi Dismark should have been offered pathways to regularise his permanence in Malta.
The use of terms like ‘cheap labour’ to refer to migrant labourers is stigmatising and dehumanising.
Malta’s economic growth is built on the exploitation of people. Malta’s economy is sustained by the precarious labour of migrants, many of whom face discrimination at the workplace, in accessing services, and in their day to day lives. This is inhumane and unsustainable.
There is a lack of transparency, accountability, with regards to the living situation of people in detention. NGOs being shut out of detention centres is a part of this.
There are increasing bureaucratic barriers that limit NGOs’ service work and increase administrative work.
Pathways to citizenship in Malta being dependent on the arbitrary decision of the Minister is deplorable. Citizenship applications should be the same for all, and not dependant on a person’s wealth.
Many children and young people in Malta, who have grown up here, who know no otherhome, are being treated unfairly. They should be recognised as Maltese.

ADPD’s manifesto “Aħdar jiswielek” states that:

The European Pact on Migration and Asylum is not fit for today’s times.
All member states should shoulder their responsibility for asylum.
Mediterranean countries including Malta should be supported in relief missions on the central Mediterranean route. Member states should assist humanitarian rescue missions and there should be no covert agreements or pushbacks.
There should be no cooperation with Libya in human rights violations, violence, torture and the criminal abuse of persons.
There should be an agreed list of countries that are not safe for LGBTQIA+ people.

Additionally, I signed the IDAHOBIT 2024 declaration which calls for:

Removing countries that criminalise LGBTQI+ people or behaviour from the list of ‘safe countries of origin’ and grant a full asylum process to all persons.
Bringing Malta’s procedures and practices in line with European and International law. Needs of individuals seeking asylum need to be assessed, and they need to be provided for. Cooperation with relevant NGOs in addressing these needs.
Broadening the definition of ‘family’ to include LGBTQIA+ partners of refugees,
and allow for family reunification.
Amending the legal gender recognition act to allow non-nationals to change their name and gender on local documents.

I further call for:

The right to vote for all refugees living in Malta.
Fair and clear citizenship application procedures in Malta for all.
NGOs being given access to detention centres. Alternatives to detention centres.
A review of the new EU Asylum and Migration Pact at the EU level.
Legal status for migrants who have made Malta their home, work and pay taxes and social security.