Migrants stranded off Malta: Call for common sense and decency – Malta’s University Faculty for Social Well Being dean; Let Them In and Fight Diplomatic battles after – PN Social Policy Shadow Minister

The Dean of the Faculty for Social Wellbeing, Professor Andrew Azzopardi was the latest in a series of individuals to express the growing concern on the current situation of the 49 migrants that are stranded at sea. No ports have given permission for the boat to enter the harbour and disembark people who have been isolated on these ships, some, for almost three weeks.

In his statement he stressed that returning these people to Libya shouldn’t be an option, especially in the light of the UN Support Mission in Libya and the United Nations Human Rights – Office of the High Commissioner report, ‘Desperate and Dangerous: Report on the human rights situation of migrants and refugees in Libya’ (18 December 2018).

In view of this is an unparalleled and unprecedented situation.

He stressed that the Maltese Government and the Maltese people are known for their high standards of camaraderie.

We are morally bound to host these individuals and use our strong diplomatic presence in the EU and the UN to ensure that such situations are dealt with around the table knowing well-enough that complex political arguments need to be made, but not at the cost of risking peoples’ lives. Trying to resolve an issue through Tweets and media releases will surely not see us through this debacle. I appeal for common sense, decency and decorum to prevail. The sacrosanct value of human kindness and compassion needs to triumph. The principle of ‘safety first’ should take absolute precedence.

Meanwhile a campaign to Let Them In has been initiated on Facebook.

Earlier the Nationalist Party spokesman for social policy posted on Facebook that our country should respond to the bullying tactics of the Italian government by ending this russian roulette on human lives.

Claudio Grech said “What are we waiting for? For one of these human beings to die and then act out of consequence?”

Government should let them in, show the world that a small nation has a much bigger heart than the rest of the EU put together and then fight the diplomatic battles after.

Significantly he said that as an Opposition Party which values life, we should also clearly pledge to support any government decision in this sense and never submit our humanity to those who opt for popularity out of populism.

He added that his support on this is unconditional.