Maltese activists remember refugees who died trying to reach Europe – Middle East Monitor

Activists are laying down their shoes in Malta’s capital to mourn the hundreds of unknown migrants who died trying to reach Europe.

This was done as part of a protest attended by 47 organizations. defendant The Maltese government has abandoned its responsibility for search and rescue.

“The Maltese government’s continued neglect of its search and rescue responsibilities contributes to this death toll by endangering lives,” the group said in a joint statement.

Malta Today reported that the government ignored the calls of more than 20,000 people in distress, campaigners said.

“Despite Minister Byron Camilleri’s insistence to ‘defend our territory,’ the government’s decision to delay and avoid rescues translates directly into loss of life at sea,” the organization said.

Four-year-old Luzin died of thirst in September 2022 after suffering for days in Malta’s SAR zone. Her death reveals the consequences of our government’s actions. The murder policy adopted by the Maltese authorities must be reversed.

read: Syrian refugees in France face integration hurdles after fleeing war

Last September, Luzin, from Syria, died of dehydration after being pulled from her wooden fishing boat four days after sending out a distress call. She was on board refugees from Syria, Palestine and Lebanon. The boat set off from the Lebanese coast.

At the time, the NGO Moviment Graffitti, which supported the weekend’s protests, said Malta’s inaction had become a “murderous pattern”.

A month later, four aid groups accused Malta of: violation of international law Despite the fact that Malta was much closer and safer, they rescued the refugees to Egypt by ordering ships to take them.

In 2022, Malta also forced some 24,600 people back into Libya, which has been widely accused of violating international law.

Libyan refugees Tortured, trafficked and sexually assaulted.

“Malta and the Mediterranean should be places of refuge and safety, not places of death. The government is reassessing its approach to migration and is committed to helping migrants, asylum seekers and refugees. We have to work with.”

“Until then, Malta will remain responsible for harming those seeking a better life,” they said.