Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1278887
9 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 16 AUGUST 2020 INTERVIEW ing to anger and frustration, unfortunately this may lead to violence." Do you agree with those concerns? I agree with the general feeling of the comment. Yet it is wrong to shift all the responsibility of migrants' welfare onto AWAS. This is a challenge which re- quires the effort of all players: government entities, civil so- ciety, the private sector, the education sector, as well as the general public. AWAS helps the migrants do their part, too. I tend to smile when I read statements on migrants' centres by individuals who have never set a foot inside a centre. Mi- gration has to be tackled in an objective manner. I am all in favour of supporting those who are genuinely fleeing war or per- secution. On the other hand, we have to admit that there is a significant number of irregular migrants who do not deserve protec- tion. These migrants are actu- ally making it harder for us to concentrate on those who truly need protection and support. But in order to determine whether a migrant is entitled to protection, an asylum process has to take place. Last June, migrants rescued at sea were held offshore on four tourist boats for five weeks before being allowed to disembark in Malta. AWAS is the govern- ment agency responsible for the welfare of migrants in de- tention; yet it seems that it had no presence on these vessels. Was AWAS in any way involved in the administration of those offshore detention centres? AWAS does not run deten- tion facilities. We are only re- sponsible for one closed centre, which is for vulnerable persons who are medically quarantined upon their arrival. The opera- tion you refer to did not involve AWAS employees; however, we did provide our expertise and all sorts of supplies to those on board. It is also worth pointing out that vulnerable migrants were not held offshore. These were evacuated immediately and transferred to AWAS facilities on land. Yet at the end of last month, government issued an expres- sion of interest to commission ships that will once again be used as quarantine facilities of migrants rescued at sea. Given that the last attempt caused widespread criticism over hu- man rights issues, is AWAS concerned about the welfare of the migrants who will be de- tained? Quarantine rules are not part of the remit of AWAS. I un- derstand that the decision has been taken also to safeguard the health of the migrants living in the centres. We will definitely be there to support all asylum seek- ers reaching Malta's shores… But what is your own view on the policy of holding migrants at sea under such circumstanc- es? Do you agree with the gov- ernment's argument that these measures are justifiable in view of the global health emer- gency caused by COVID-19? I think we have managed the spread of COVID-19 in the cen- tres quite well. Keep in mind that the decision to hold mi- grants at sea was taken when the largest migrants' centre in Malta was placed under quar- antine. The situation inside the centres did not change a lot, and the risks that we faced in March, April and May are still there. Increasing the density of the centres at this point in time could cause serious problems; and to be honest, I cannot think of an alternative solution. In April there was the idea to place migrants inside hotels. But this would have been a logistical nightmare in terms of security and public health. Migrants ar- riving in Malta are not screened only for COVID-19… Lastly, we have of late been witnessing increased reports of homelessness, in particu- lar affecting migrants who are either rejected by the asylum system, or for some other rea- son can no longer reside at open centres. What policies exist to cater for this growing contingent? And what are your own views on how this problem can be addressed? One has to keep in mind that open centres are meant to pro- vide accommodation for a tem- porary period. During such period, we sup- port asylum seekers to live inde- pendently, mostly through the promotion of legal employment. Vulnerable groups such as families and minors are sup- ported for longer periods as op- posed to other migrants. Rejected asylum seekers are not eligible for accommodation and, albeit difficult, there are means available to help these persons return to their country of origin. The only way to reduce the pressure caused by economic migrants on the asylum system is to process the asylum appli- cation in transit countries. Gen- uine asylum seekers should not risk their lives at sea to get pro- tection. Unfortunately, however, this solution is still a long way off. PHOTO BY JAMES BIANCHI Increasing the density of the centres at this point in time could cause serious problems; and to be honest, I cannot think of an alternative solution.