Each year on 20th June, the world celebrates World Refugee Day to honour people who have been forced to flee from their countries.
The United Nations chose this day to show the strength & courage that these people possess since they’ve been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.
This days highlights that people have the right to seek safety as well as build support for their economic & social inclusion.
World Refugee Day shines a light on the rights, needs & dreams of refugees. This day aims to raise awareness on how refugees need help to mobilise with resources to not only survive but also thrive.
On this day, many activities are held all around the world to create opportunities & support refugees.
These activities are led by or involve refugees themselves, government officials, host communities, school children & the general public, among many other welcomed people.
Between 9th May & 1st June, Alarm Phone alerted the authorities on a total of 1079 migrants in distress on 5 different boats in Malta’s search & rescue zone, mostly fleeing Libya. The Maltese authorities didn’t react to any of these calls.
Malta keeps ignoring calls from vessels in distress & hindering rescue operations. On April 11th, the Italian Coast Guard rescued a vessel in distress with around 400 migrants onboard. This vessel had originally departed from Libya & had been adrift between Italy & Malta for 2 days.
According to Sea-Watch & Alarm Phone, Maltese authorities had ordered a merchant ship in the area of the vessel not to rescue the people onboard.
On May 18th, a national monitoring committee overseeing the health & housing conditions of detained migrants called for the immediate repair of 2 blocks of the Ħal Far detention centre.
The committee called for the appointment of an architect to inspect & report on urgent works needed to safeguard the safety of detained persons of the blocks built over 50 years ago.
Alarm Phone has noted that the Maltese authorities aren’t taking enough action to safeguard refugees, both at sea when it comes to rescue as well as in our country. Refugees are human beings too & their rights must also be safeguarded.
