Migration and Integration in Malta: Challenges and Opportunities
Migration and Integration in Malta: from
Migration and Integration in Malta: from
Good Practices to the lack of a Policy
Good Practices to the lack of a Policy
International Conference
Migration and Integration: the role of social services
Cyprus, 20 June 2014
Who we are & What we do:
Who we are & What we do:
•
KOPIN is a Maltese non-profit and non-
KOPIN is a Maltese non-profit and non-
governmental organisation (NGO)
governmental organisation (NGO)
•
Our mission is to contribute actively to the
Our mission is to contribute actively to the
alleviation of global poverty and social
alleviation of global poverty and social
injustice
injustice
KOPIN’s Operations:
KOPIN’s Operations:
•
Migration
Migration
•
Child Rights
Child Rights
•
Development Education
Development Education
•
International Development Cooperation
International Development Cooperation
Immigration Process
Immigration Process
•
Upon arrival irregular migrants are handed over to the
Upon arrival irregular migrants are handed over to the
immigration authorities
immigration authorities
•
Irregular migrants are subject to administrative
Irregular migrants are subject to administrative
detention, up to a maximum of 12 months for asylum
detention, up to a maximum of 12 months for asylum
seekers and of 18 months for rejected asylum seekers or
seekers and of 18 months for rejected asylum seekers or
people not applying for asylum
people not applying for asylum
•
Vulnerability & Age assessment carried out by AWAS –
Vulnerability & Age assessment carried out by AWAS –
Agency for the Welfare of Asylum Seekers
Agency for the Welfare of Asylum Seekers
Types of Protection in Malta:
Types of Protection in Malta:
•
Refugee Status
Refugee Status
•
Subsidiary Protection
Subsidiary Protection
•
Temporary Humanitarian Protection (THP)
Temporary Humanitarian Protection (THP)
•
Temporary Humanitarian Protection new (2010)
Temporary Humanitarian Protection new (2010)
After detention
After detention
•
Placement into Open Centres, managed by AWAS or other
Placement into Open Centres, managed by AWAS or other
organisations (e.g. Marsa Open Centre) if granted any form of
organisations (e.g. Marsa Open Centre) if granted any form of
protection or recognised as vulnerable/minors
protection or recognised as vulnerable/minors
•
Accommodation in Open Centres for up to 12 months, but in
Accommodation in Open Centres for up to 12 months, but in
some cases extended
some cases extended
•
After age assessment, unaccompanied migrant minors are
After age assessment, unaccompanied migrant minors are
issued with a Care Order (legal guardian, same rights as
issued with a Care Order (legal guardian, same rights as
Maltese children) until they are 18
Maltese children) until they are 18
What are the options afterwards?
What are the options afterwards?
•
Moving into the community & integration (no proper policy at
Moving into the community & integration (no proper policy at
this point; Policy Paper from MJHA & MFSS dated back to
this point; Policy Paper from MJHA & MFSS dated back to
2005)
2005)
•
Forced Return for failed Asylum Seekers –
Forced Return for failed Asylum Seekers –
and if Malta has a
and if Malta has a
diplomatic relationship with the Country of Origin
diplomatic relationship with the Country of Origin
•
Assisted Voluntary Return (IOM)
Assisted Voluntary Return (IOM)
•
Resettlement (UNHCR Malta, IOM, US Government)
Resettlement (UNHCR Malta, IOM, US Government)
•
Relocation (European Member States)
Relocation (European Member States)
•
A number of failed Asylum Seekers remains in Malta after
A number of failed Asylum Seekers remains in Malta after
release from detention
release from detention
•
UNHCR Malta estimates that only 30% of all irregular migrants
UNHCR Malta estimates that only 30% of all irregular migrants
arrived in Malta from 2002 are still on the island
arrived in Malta from 2002 are still on the island
Access to Services & Rights
Access to Services & Rights
•
Social Welfare
Social Welfare
: Refugee Status vs Subsidiary Protection –
: Refugee Status vs Subsidiary Protection –
same rights as Maltese Citizens vs Core Services
same rights as Maltese Citizens vs Core Services
•
People enjoying Temporary Humanitarian Protection have the
People enjoying Temporary Humanitarian Protection have the
same rights as those under Subsidiary Protection for what
same rights as those under Subsidiary Protection for what
concern Social Welfare –
concern Social Welfare –
No Policy for both
No Policy for both
•
Education
Education
: access to information, opportunities of
: access to information, opportunities of
qualification – minors are entitled to free education, which is
qualification – minors are entitled to free education, which is
compulsory till the age of 16
compulsory till the age of 16
•
Employment
Employment
: no policy limitations regarding employment;
: no policy limitations regarding employment;
work permit required for any Third Country Nation; failed
work permit required for any Third Country Nation; failed
asylum seekers can work – issues legal/illegal employment
asylum seekers can work – issues legal/illegal employment
Maltese Context
Maltese Context
•
Emphasis on security
Emphasis on security
•
Detention Policy
Detention Policy
•
Xenophobic Discourse
Xenophobic Discourse
•
The perception of the
The perception of the
invasion
invasion
of the Island
of the Island
•
No Integration Policy
No Integration Policy
•
Social Exclusion and Isolation
Social Exclusion and Isolation
“The message needs to . . . be received by everyone
“The message needs to . . . be received by everyone
that entering Malta illegally will not go unpunished”
that entering Malta illegally will not go unpunished”
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Interview of April 2009
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Interview of April 2009
“is good to persuade [illegal migrants] that they have to
“is good to persuade [illegal migrants] that they have to
go back home…It’s good that they contact their
go back home…It’s good that they contact their
relatives and say, listen, don’t come to Malta because
relatives and say, listen, don’t come to Malta because
it’s terrible here”
it’s terrible here”
Senior Officer at MFA on Detention
Senior Officer at MFA on Detention
Policy, Interview of April 2009
Policy, Interview of April 2009
From Cetta Mainwaring,
From Cetta Mainwaring,
Constructing a Crisis: the Role of Immigration Detention in Malta
Constructing a Crisis: the Role of Immigration Detention in Malta
“Given Malta's small size you cannot expect the
“Given Malta's small size you cannot expect the
government to release illegal immigrants into the
government to release illegal immigrants into the
streets, especially in light of increasing numbers. This
streets, especially in light of increasing numbers. This
would send the wrong message and spell disaster for
would send the wrong message and spell disaster for
the country... As a minister I am responsible, first and
the country... As a minister I am responsible, first and
foremost, for the protection of Maltese citizens”
foremost, for the protection of Maltese citizens”
Minister of Home Affairs, Times of Malta, April 2009
Minister of Home Affairs, Times of Malta, April 2009
Malta Asylum trends 2013
Malta Asylum trends 2013
•
2,008
2,008
individuals arrived from Libya on 24 boats
individuals arrived from Libya on 24 boats
•
25%
25%
declared to be
declared to be
children
children
upon arrival
upon arrival
•
63%
63%
Men
Men
•
12%
12%
Women
Women
•
Around
Around
500
500
individuals were detained as end 2013.
individuals were detained as end 2013.
Over
Over
1,900
1,900
individuals passed through detention in
individuals passed through detention in
2013.
2013.
Source: UNHCR Malta www.unhcr.org.mt/statistics
Source: UNHCR Malta www.unhcr.org.mt/statistics
Malta Asylum Trends 2013 - Nationalities
Malta Asylum Trends 2013 - Nationalities
•
50%
50%
Somalia
Somalia
•
Eritrea
Eritrea
23%
23%
•
Syria
Syria
8%
8%
•
Nigeria
Nigeria
4%
4%
•
Palestinians
Palestinians
3%
3%
•
Gambia
Gambia
3%
3%
•
Ghana
Ghana
2%
2%
•
Mali
Mali
2%
2%
•
Other
Other
5%
5%
Malta Asylum Trends 2013 - Protection
Malta Asylum Trends 2013 - Protection
•
Refugee Status 2%
Refugee Status 2%
•
Subsidiary Protection 69%
Subsidiary Protection 69%
•
THP 11%
THP 11%
•
Closed 6%
Closed 6%
•
Rejected 12%
Rejected 12%
•
71% of all asylum seekers were granted international
71% of all asylum seekers were granted international
protection in Malta
protection in Malta
What KOPIN does
What KOPIN does
•
ERF Project –
ERF Project –
Empowerment & Self-Reliance of Women
Empowerment & Self-Reliance of Women
Refugees in Malta 2011 – 2013
Refugees in Malta 2011 – 2013
•
Befriend
Befriend
Programme
Programme
– UNHCR
– UNHCR
•
Not Just Numbers
Not Just Numbers
Toolkit – UNHCR
Toolkit – UNHCR
•
Support within Open Centres – English, Maltese, Homework
Support within Open Centres – English, Maltese, Homework
Support, etc.
Support, etc.
•
Destination Unknown Campaign
Destination Unknown Campaign
– Terre des Hommes
– Terre des Hommes
International Federation
International Federation
•
Advocacy through migration NGOs Network
Advocacy through migration NGOs Network
•
Training for Midwives
Training for Midwives
•
Sexual & Reproductive Health for women and families
Sexual & Reproductive Health for women and families
Good Practices in Malta
Good Practices in Malta
•
English & Maltese language classes given to migrants
English & Maltese language classes given to migrants
by volunteers (KOPIN, Integra Foundation, OFD)
by volunteers (KOPIN, Integra Foundation, OFD)
•
Activities & Support in detention (Integra
Activities & Support in detention (Integra
Foundation)
Foundation)
•
Legal Assistance, Psycho-Social support (JRS Malta)
Legal Assistance, Psycho-Social support (JRS Malta)
•
Cultural Mediators, Education & Training (Migrant
Cultural Mediators, Education & Training (Migrant
Health Unit)
Health Unit)
•
Induction Centre
Induction Centre
for Third Country National children
for Third Country National children
attending Maltese schools – overcome language
attending Maltese schools – overcome language
barrier
barrier
Integration Policy?
Integration Policy?
•
Lack of comprehensive policy for integration of Third
Lack of comprehensive policy for integration of Third
Country Nationals
Country Nationals
•
No Government Agency responsible for the
No Government Agency responsible for the
implementation of integration measures – AWAS is a
implementation of integration measures – AWAS is a
‘pre-integration’ agency
‘pre-integration’ agency
•
Services provided by CSOs, ETC
Services provided by CSOs, ETC
•
No Policy on access to health & social welfare for
No Policy on access to health & social welfare for
THP & Rejected asylum seekers
THP & Rejected asylum seekers
Thank you!
Thank you!
Federica Di Giulio
Federica Di Giulio
federica.digiulio@kopin.org
federica.digiulio@kopin.org
KOPIN Malta
KOPIN Malta
www.kopin.org
www.kopin.org
Explore the complexities of migration and integration in Malta through a non-profit organization's perspective, focusing on the immigration process, types of protection offered, and post-detention options for migrants. The lack of a clear policy on community integration poses challenges, while voluntary return, resettlement, and relocation programs offer some solutions for failed asylum seekers.
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Presentation Transcript
Migration and Integration in Malta: from Good Practices to the lack of a Policy International Conference Migration and Integration: the role of social services Cyprus, 20 June 2014
Who we are & What we do: KOPIN is a Maltese non-profit and non- governmental organisation (NGO) Our mission is to contribute actively to the alleviation of global poverty and social injustice
KOPINs Operations: Migration Child Rights Development Education International Development Cooperation
Immigration Process Upon arrival irregular migrants are handed over to the immigration authorities Irregular migrants are subject to administrative detention, up to a maximum of 12 months for asylum seekers and of 18 months for rejected asylum seekers or people not applying for asylum Vulnerability & Age assessment carried out by AWAS Agency for the Welfare of Asylum Seekers
Types of Protection in Malta: Refugee Status Subsidiary Protection Temporary Humanitarian Protection (THP) Temporary Humanitarian Protection new (2010)
After detention Placement into Open Centres, managed by AWAS or other organisations (e.g. Marsa Open Centre) if granted any form of protection or recognised as vulnerable/minors Accommodation in Open Centres for up to 12 months, but in some cases extended After age assessment, unaccompanied migrant minors are issued with a Care Order (legal guardian, same rights as Maltese children) until they are 18
What are the options afterwards? Moving into the community & integration (no proper policy at this point; Policy Paper from MJHA & MFSS dated back to 2005) Forced Return for failed Asylum Seekers and if Malta has a diplomatic relationship with the Country of Origin Assisted Voluntary Return (IOM) Resettlement (UNHCR Malta, IOM, US Government) Relocation (European Member States) A number of failed Asylum Seekers remains in Malta after release from detention UNHCR Malta estimates that only 30% of all irregular migrants arrived in Malta from 2002 are still on the island
Access to Services & Rights Social Welfare: Refugee Status vs Subsidiary Protection same rights as Maltese Citizens vs Core Services People enjoying Temporary Humanitarian Protection have the same rights as those under Subsidiary Protection for what concern Social Welfare No Policy for both Education: access to information, opportunities of qualification minors are entitled to free education, which is compulsory till the age of 16 Employment: no policy limitations regarding employment; work permit required for any Third Country Nation; failed asylum seekers can work issues legal/illegal employment
Maltese Context Emphasis on security Detention Policy Xenophobic Discourse The perception of the invasion of the Island No Integration Policy Social Exclusion and Isolation
The message needs to . . . be received by everyone that entering Malta illegally will not go unpunished Minister of Foreign Affairs, Interview of April 2009 is good to persuade [illegal migrants] that they have to go back home It s good that they contact their relatives and say, listen, don t come to Malta because it s terrible here Senior Officer at MFA on Detention Policy, Interview of April 2009 From Cetta Mainwaring, Constructing a Crisis: the Role of Immigration Detention in Malta
Given Malta's small size you cannot expect the government to release illegal immigrants into the streets, especially in light of increasing numbers. This would send the wrong message and spell disaster for the country... As a minister I am responsible, first and foremost, for the protection of Maltese citizens Minister of Home Affairs, Times of Malta, April 2009
Malta Asylum trends 2013 2,008 individuals arrived from Libya on 24 boats 25% declared to be children upon arrival 63% Men 12% Women Around 500 individuals were detained as end 2013. Over 1,900 individuals passed through detention in 2013. Source: UNHCR Malta www.unhcr.org.mt/statistics
Malta Asylum Trends 2013 - Nationalities 50% Somalia Eritrea 23% Syria 8% Nigeria 4% Palestinians 3% Gambia 3% Ghana 2% Mali 2% Other 5%
Malta Asylum Trends 2013 - Protection Refugee Status 2% Subsidiary Protection 69% THP 11% Closed 6% Rejected 12% 71% of all asylum seekers were granted international protection in Malta
What KOPIN does ERF Project Empowerment & Self-Reliance of Women Refugees in Malta 2011 2013 Befriend Programme UNHCR Not Just Numbers Toolkit UNHCR Support within Open Centres English, Maltese, Homework Support, etc. Destination Unknown Campaign Terre des Hommes International Federation Advocacy through migration NGOs Network Training for Midwives Sexual & Reproductive Health for women and families
Good Practices in Malta English & Maltese language classes given to migrants by volunteers (KOPIN, Integra Foundation, OFD) Activities & Support in detention (Integra Foundation) Legal Assistance, Psycho-Social support (JRS Malta) Cultural Mediators, Education & Training (Migrant Health Unit) Induction Centre for Third Country National children attending Maltese schools overcome language barrier
Integration Policy? Lack of comprehensive policy for integration of Third Country Nationals No Government Agency responsible for the implementation of integration measures AWAS is a pre-integration agency Services provided by CSOs, ETC No Policy on access to health & social welfare for THP & Rejected asylum seekers
Thank you! Federica Di Giulio federica.digiulio@kopin.org KOPIN Malta www.kopin.org
