Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/817563
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 30 APRIL 2017 12 News NGOs forcefully reject claims they are in collusion with Libyan human traffickers and say their only objective is to save lives at sea JURGEN BALZAN MIGRANT rescue boat NGOs have denied claims by an Italian prosecu- tor that they are in collusion with Libyan human traffickers. The NGOs – including Malta- based MOAS and Médècins Sans Frontieres – have rejected the accu- sations, saying their only objective is to save lives. "We have evidence that there are direct contacts between certain NGOs and people traffickers in Lib- ya," Carmelo Zuccaro told Italian newspaper La Stampa last week. "We do not yet know if and how we could use this evidence in court, but we are quite certain about what we say; telephone calls from Libya to certain NGOs, lamps that illuminate the route to these organisations' boats, boats that suddenly turn off their transponders, are ascertained facts," he said. However, Malta-based search- and-rescue charity MOAS categori- cally denied these claims and said that all operations are coordinated by Italian authorities. Asked whether MOAS receives direct calls from asylum seekers or human traffickers, a spokesper- son said "No. Whenever we receive SOS messages they are immediately passed on to MRCC Rome to be ver- ified and coordinated at that level." On Friday, Italian justice minister Andrea Orlando said it was a lie to paint charities saving lives at sea as criminals. "If the prosecutor has evidence, which I think he will present in coming days, then we can consider it. In general, it's not right to make the story of the NGOs working in the Mediterranean as a tale of collu- sion with people smugglers because it's a lie," he said. Zuccaro is a member of a group of Italian prosecutors investigating the trafficking and exploitation of migrants. He told Italy's parliament that he was sure traffickers were in contact with rescuers, but didn't have proof. However he did threat- en to confiscate the rescue vessels if he finds just cause. "I am convinced that it is not al- ways the operational centre that calls on the NGOs," he told a par- liamentary committee in Rome last week. "We also need to investigate the evolution of the phenomenon and find out why there has been such a noted proliferation of these ships and how they deal with such high operational costs without having a return in terms of economic profit." The chief prosecutor of the Sicil- ian port city of Catania, did not say he would open a criminal investiga- tion, and he gave no details about the evidence. "We don't know if we can use this information in a trial," he said. MOAS skirted questions on the motivations of the prosecutor's The Ministry for Health is seeking to recruit an EESSI Project Administrator – EESSI (Electronic Exchange of Social Security Information) Connecting Europe Facility 2014-2020. EESSI Project Administrator Contract • Two year definite contract – 40 hours per week Qualifications and Experience • Be able to communicate in the English Language given that due consideration will also be given to applicants who also have the ability to communicate in the Maltese Language; • In possession of a recognised Master's qualification at MQF Level 7 (subject to a minimum of 60 ECTS/ECVET credits, or equivalent, with regards to programmes commencing as from October 2008) in Management, or Project Management or Finance or a comparable professional qualification, plus one (1) year relevant work experience; OR • In possession of a recognised Bachelor's qualification at MQF Level 6 (subject to a minimum of 180 ECTS/ECVET credits, or equivalent, with regards to programmes commencing as from October 2003) in Management, or Project Management or Finance or a comparable professional qualification plus three (3) years relevant work experience. Interested persons are to submit their application together with detailed Curriculum Vitae by not later than Monday 15 th May 2017. Applicants who are already in the Malta Public Service must produce a Service and Leave Record Form (GP 47); those applying from outside the Service must produce a Certificate of Conduct issued by the Police or other competent authority not earlier than one (1) month from the date of application and state whether they have ever been in Government Service, giving details. Applications should be addressed to: Resourcing and Employee Relations Directorate, Ministry for Health, Palazzo Castellania, 15, Merchants Street, Valletta VLT 1171. Website: http://health.gov.mt Fax number: +356 22992604 Email address: recruitment.health@gov.mt. Applications can also be submitted through the Online Government Recruitment Portal on http://recruitment.gov.mt by the said closing time and date of this call for applications. More detailed information regarding the above job vacancy can be accessed from the government website http://recruitment.gov.mt and Government Gazette issued on Friday 28 th April 2017. The sole responsibility of this publication lies with the author. The European Union is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein. Charities deny Italian prosecutor's claims of 'collusion' with smugglers NGOs have saved thousands of people at sea in recent weeks