Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/916779
maltatoday SUNDAY 17 DECEMBER 2017 4 News TIA RELJIC A new government integration strategy for migrants launched on Friday was not enough to pro- vide them with stability, especially those not granted refugee protec- tion. Katrine Camilleri, director of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), yes- terday launched a campaign spear- headed together with the Integra and Aditus foundations for legal pathways for the regularisation of asylum seekers. Migrants who are refused pro- tection or refugee status in Malta but who are not deported to their country of origin, tend to retain a life of drifting without any clear rights while residing here. The new campaign, 'This Is Home', addresses the problem of rejected asylum seekers who are left in a legal limbo, vulnerable to poverty and exploitation, and seeks a form of legal recognition for these people. Camilleri said rejected asylum seekers are an already-existing group in Malta, with some of them having lived in the country for the past 15 years. "Authorities are aware of these migrants and tolerate them… they contribute to Maltese society through their work and by paying taxes, but also by being our friends and neighbours," Camilleri said. But they are finding it difficult to have access to even the "most basic services, and to live with dignity." "A system which allows people to move towards a more permanent status is required," Camilleri said, explaining that this system should also recognise all efforts towards integration, such as learning the language. "Malta is their home, and they are part of our community." Camilleri said the status Tem- porary Humanitarian Protection (THPN) – accorded to rejected asylum seekers who cannot be re- turned back to their home country – was not enough to provide secu- rity to migrants and allow them to live with dignity. "THPN status is not regulated by law, the procedure is unclear, there is no possibility of appeal, and it is not necessarily extended to family members of those who are grant- ed," Camilleri said. The NGOs also criticised the lack of clarity when it comes to the precise criteria for eligibility for THPN. "People's lives cannot be reduced to whispers during a cof- fee break, or something the min- istry decides on a daily basis," Neil Falzon of Aditus foundation said. This status is lacking because it is temporary in nature, Camilleri said. It needs to be renewed every year, and the criteria is linked to employment. "Some rejected asy- lum seekers are not working be- cause they are studying instead, while others are raising children." Apart from being only a short- term solution, THPN was not available to a large number of peo- ple. Those holding such a status are also excluded from being able to apply for long-term residency even if they otherwise qualify. The NGOs' campaign calls for a system in which people can live in security, through a legal process that is fair, impartial, and inde- pendent." Research findings The campaign is backed by inter- views with people with THPN and rejected asylum seekers, namely 82 males and 10 females. Researcher Kristina Zammit said persons without protection found it very hard to bring their families or even visit their family back home. 23 of the men were in Malta with their family, while 65 of them were in Malta alone. 87% of respondents were gainful- ly employed despite all obstacles, and many of them emphasised the importance of classes and other as- sistance provided by NGOs. They also said that learning both English and Maltese had greatly helped them to integrate 44 attended educational classes in Malta. 41 of 81 of the respondents said that they have been renting on their own for about 5-10 years. 23 of the respondents were chil- dren, and although the majority of them were born in Malta, their fu- ture is unclear. "Having a legal sta- tus would give me renewed hope. I have never been dependant on the state and only contributed to soci- ety," one of the interviewees said. Expression of Interest EOI/A1217: Invitation to submit Proposals for the Lease of Property in Victoria, Gozo. The Director General (Operations) within the Ministry for Gozo notifies that sealed expression of interest documents marked: EOI/A1217 Expression of Interest: Invitation to submit Proposals for the Lease of Property in Victoria, Gozo will be received in the tender box, situated at the Procurement Unit at the Ministry for Gozo, St. Francis Square, Victoria, Gozo, by not later than 10.00 a.m. of 12 th January 2018. Interested parties may either download a copy of the Expression of Interest document from the Ministry for Gozo website mgoz.gov.mt or request a copy by sending an email to procurement.mgoz@gov.mt clearly indicating Advert Number EOI/A1217. Expression of Interest EOI/B1217: Invitation to submit Proposals for the Lease of Property in a central location in Gozo The Director General (Operations) within the Ministry for Gozo notifies that sealed expression of interest documents marked: EOI/B1217 Expression of Interest: Invitation to submit Proposals for the Lease of Property in a central location in Gozo will be received in the tender box, situated at the Procurement Unit at the Ministry for Gozo, St. Francis Square, Victoria, Gozo, by not later than 10.00 a.m. of 12 th January 2018. Interested parties may either download a copy of the Expression of Interest document from the Ministry for Gozo website mgoz.gov.mt or request a copy by sending an email to procurement.mgoz@gov.mt clearly indicating Advert Number EOI/B1217. NGOs want legal regularisation for rejected asylum seekers Migrants refused protection even after living in Malta for 15 years — have no security and are vulnerable to poverty and exploitation Katrine Camilleri from JRS with Neil Falzon of Aditus Foundation