Call for Respect of Basic Human Rights in Maltese Detention Centers

Majority of asylum seekers arriving in Malta are in demand for Humanitarian protection, “an immigration status which can be given to anyone who, whilst not recognised as a refugee, would in his or her own country, be at serious risk of facing the death penalty, unlawful killing or torture, or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment”.

Frequent reasons for those asylum seeker to escape from their country to Europe is the hunger and extreme poverty. MSF observed that in Lyster Barracks, Hal Far (Maltese detention center), food is “distributed three times a day but does not include sufficient vegetables and fruit required for a healthy diet. In addition there is no special food available for children and babies. Special diets for medical Reasons (e.g. for patients with diabetes) are not always correctly provided”.

The detention centres should provide an access to the basic right to food and health as stipulated in the EC Directive laying down minimum standards for the reception of asylum seekers, Maltese Prison Regulations and UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners which mention that “The medical officer shall regularly inspect and advise the director upon: The quantity, quality, preparation and service of food, the hygiene and cleanliness of the institution and the prisoners the sanitation, heating, lighting and ventilation of the institution”.

Accordingly,

We are asking today to the Maltese Department of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention to take actions and appoint a board of health professionals to monitor the food distribution and to evaluate the living conditions in the detention centres and ensure that there is no negative impact on the residents’ health.