With the Mediterranean continuing to be one of the world’s deadliest migratory routes, activists are denouncing the authorities – including Malta – that are shirking their responsibilities at sea.

Activists from over 30 organisations and members of the general public converged at the harbour in Senglea to mark the Global Day of CommemorAction for the Dead, Missing, Persecuted and Forcefully Disappeared at Sea and at the Borders.

At least 1,971 people have died or disappeared in the Mediterranean in 2021 alone, and according to the UNHCR, over 23,000 people have died in transit over the past decade.

“Yet time and time again, we witness Maltese authorities looking away from their duties to protect the lives of people seeking asylum in our search and rescue zone,” the participating activists said in a statement.

They noted that that the Maltese authorities have openly collaborated with the Libyan coastguard in illegal pushbacks, violating the international principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits states from returning individuals to a country in which they would be in likely danger of persecution.

Malta has also become known for ignoring distress calls and refusing disembarkation to the rescued, they said. Additionally, asylum seekers keep being subjected to degrading and humiliating treatment, as evidenced when Malta decided to detain them in pleasure boats in 2020.

“We remind authorities that these people are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and children with names,” the activists said. “We call on authorities to remember that saving lives at sea is a legal and moral obligation. Human rights law and international law bind states to safeguard the right to seek asylum and to treat asylum seekers with respect and dignity at every stage of the process.”

The activists also called on EU institutions to provide strong assistance to Malta and other member states on the border, so that migrating peoples can be offered the safety and dignity they deserve.

The CommemorAction Day takes place on 6 February as it is the anniversary of the Tarajal massacre that occurred in 2014 in Ceuta, one of two Spanish towns on the African mainland, across the sea from Gibraltar.

At least 15 people attempting to enter the Ceuta enclave from Tarajal beach drowned while Spanish border police equipped with riot gear fired rubber bullets in their direction. The officers involved were exonerated by Spanish courts.

The event was organised by the aditus foundation, the African Media Association, Anti-Poverty Forum Malta, Blue Door English, the Department for Social Policy and Social Work (University of Malta), the Department of Gender and Sexualities (UoM), Drachma LGBTI and Drachma Parents Group, Fondazzjoni Sebħ, the Free El Hiblu 3 Campaign, the Great Oak Malta Association, Integra foundation, Jesuit Refugee Service, the Justice and Peace Commission of the Archdiocese of Malta, KOPIN, Kunsill Nazzjonali taż-Żgħażagħ, L-Għaqda ghall-Ġustizzja, Ugwaljanza u Paċi, LGBTI+ Gozo, the Malta Gay Rights Movement, the Malta Humanist Association, the Maltese Association of Social Workers, Men Against Violence, Migrant Women Association Malta, Moviment Graffitti, OASI Foundation, the Office of the Dean – Faculty of Education (UoM), the Office of the Dean, Faculty for Social Wellbeing (UoM), the Paulo Freire Institute Foundation, President Emeritus Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, Repubblika, the Richmond Foundation, Segretarjat Assistenza Soċjali – Azzjoni Kattolika Maltija, SOS Malta, SPARK15, St Jeanne Antide Foundation, the Sudanese Community in Malta and the Good Shepherd Sisters – Dar Merħba Bik Foundation.

Source: Newsbook.com.mt