Events of 2009
The Maltese government continued to detain asylum seekers and irregular migrants, including unaccompanied children, pregnant women, and people in poor health, for prolonged periods. Delays in processing asylum claims and lack of access to legal aid persisted. Following its January 2009 visit to Malta, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concluded that Malta's detention policy is not in line with international law and described as appalling conditions in two detention centers. A protest in March by over 500 migrants detained at Safi barracks ended in violence.
Nine NGOs called on Maltese authorities to address racist violence in Malta after two Somali migrants were attacked in July, leaving one hospitalized.
Italy and Malta continued to dispute who is responsible for rescuing boat migrants in distress. The death of over 70 African migrants trying to reach Italy in August sparked widespread criticism of Malta for its failure to rescue migrants stranded at sea. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights accused the Maltese government of falling short on its international human rights obligations.
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