In a statement released earlier today, the Green Party, ADPD condemned the Prime Minister’s proposal to change the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) when Malta takes up the European Council’s Presidency next May. The Prime Minister made his comments last week to the press following a European Council meeting.
The Green Party accused the Prime Minister of aligning his position with far-right parties in Europe and contradicting statements made by his Deputy and Foreign Minister, Ian Borg who stated that Malta’s priorities for its Council Presidency would focus on protecting children’s rights.
Some EU-member states want to change the ECHR so as to facilitate the repatriation of immigrants and current deals with north African states to prevent immigrants from crossing to Europe via the Mediterranean Sea. The number of immigrants trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea has dwindled drastically following these deals between the EU and north African states. Immigrants in north African countries, especially in Tunisia and Libya are regularly mistreated and sent back in dangerous conditions often leading to their death. Many immigrants have died while attempting to cross the Sahel or the Sahara Desert. Migrants are also mistreated in detention centres, and tortured with many others falling into the hands of human traffickers and slave-traders.
The articles of the ECHR that some EU member states want to amend are Article 3, which prohibits torture and inhumane treatment, and Article 8, which guarantees the right to private and family life. Amending these articles would help in repatriation of immigrants by both north African and European States.
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