Numerous individuals who have been lawfully residing and employed in Malta for up to 19 years are being detained at their place of employment, taken into custody, and informed that they would be returned to Ethiopia, leaving the Ethiopian community “shocked” and “living in fear.”
In 2005, I arrived in Malta by sea at the age of sixteen. I was a minor traveling alone. Ethiopia is unknown to me. My residence is in Malta. We have not caused any issue; we have worked and paid our taxes.We are currently being handled like criminals. Like animals,” remarked an Ethiopian community member who was afraid the cops would knock on his door.
Five of his buddies were detained and arrested while at work, which makes him afraid.
They received word that their request for asylum had been denied.
They were legally able to work because they possessed a yellow book and temporary protection status up until this point.A few even ran their own companies.
About 100 Ethiopians were being told they had to go, according to a different man who arrived in Malta in 2005 and currently resides there with his family.”Everyone is perplexed. A few have stayed for 15, 16, 17, and even 19 years. Our kids are here.Our home is Malta.We’re all integrated.Here is where our kids attend school. We’re taken aback. We are a pretty calm people,” he remarked.
Attorney Gianluca Cappitta and other attorneys who represent migrants explained that anytime members of a specific nationality are apprehended, it usually indicates that a delegation from that nation is its route to Malta.
Usually, the delegation would consist of government representatives who, after confirming the detainees’ place of origin, would ease their deportation by supplying travel documents.
“What I object to is that these folks are arrested and detained weeks in advance of the delegation’s arrival.Additionally, the delegation occasionally arrives without warning or later than expected.I feel that this violates their basic human rights.
We are speaking of law-abiding individuals who have always complied.He continued, saying that this situation was similar to one that involved nine Malians in 2017. “They shouldn’t be treated like this,” he said.
The Malians were detained for three months as they awaited the delivery of formal documentation that would allow their return to Mali. However, the documents have not yet arrived.
The nine were initially among 33 people detained in November 2016 with the intention of being sent to Mali, allegedly as part of an EU project.
The immigrant community was surprised by the abrupt arrest that occurred just a few weeks before the Christmas celebrations.
In an attempt to challenge the legality of the arrest, custody, and potential deportation, Cappitta had filed a constitutional complaint. All challenges had been upheld by the court, but the deportation judgment was overturned by the appeals court.
In response to inquiries from the journal in Malta, the ministry of home affairs stated that those who enter Malta uninvited and are not eligible for international protection are provided with an optional package for their voluntary repatriation.
Depending on how cooperative the nation of origin is, they may be forced to return if they reject the voluntary return plan.
“The aforementioned Ethiopian nationals have been placed under detention to ensure their safe return to Ethiopia, in response to encouraging indications from Ethiopian authorities regarding their cooperation in facilitating the safe readmission of their own citizens,” the ministry stated.
It further stated that this line of action is a result of an EU decision to intensify readmission negotiations with Ethiopia after a European Commission evaluation.
