Hundreds of migrants held off Malta in floating prisons. The Captain Morgan case goes European

(B2) Malta has found the solution to deal with the influx of migrants, without disembarking them on land: retaining them on board tourist ships. An idea that has reached its limits

In the midst of the coronavirus crisis, the event went unnoticed. Europeans having other fish to fry, they did not care to respond to the call for solidarity from the small Mediterranean island, leaving it alone to wrestle with the problem.

A dilemma for Europe

The presence of migrants held on board tourist boats off the island of Malta is currently poisoning European relations, as is the progress of the new EU maritime operation off Libya (EUNAVFOR Med Irini). It is a thorn in the side of Europeans who find themselves trapped between their principles (respect for international rules) and reality (fear of a new influx of migrants). The information is given in dribs and drabs by the Maltese authorities. It is thanks to the work of the NGOs and the press that the information arrives.

Keep migrants out of territorial waters

A first group of migrants was first picked up at the end of April, aboard a ship anchored at Hurds Bank, about 13 nautical miles from the coast east of Valletta. Or a few meters from the maritime territorial limit (12 nautical miles). 57 people were thus transferred on April 30, toEurope II, a Captain Morgan tourist ferry. They had been rescued the day before by a private fishing boat. But Malta, which has closed its borders (officially due to coronavirus), refused to welcome them.

Floating prisons that teach

105 people were then transferred to the The sea on May 7, then a week later on theAtlantis, a larger ferry. They had just been recovered during a combined rescue between the Armed Forces of Malta (AFM) a fishing vessel. One recovering 45 people, the other 78 people (1).

90 migrants were picked up on Monday night (May 25) by the Maltese armed forces and transferred to a company boat on Tuesday. 8 children and 18 women are landed ashore, according to Malta Today.

Finally, 75 other migrants have just been rescued by the Maltese armed forces on Wednesday evening (May 27). The government decides to charter a fourth ferry to welcome them. THE Jade, belonging to another company (Supreme Cruises) and moored in Sliema, was requisitioned by the authorities to bring supplies and accommodate refugees. Larger, it can accommodate up to 250 people, but normally for a short period, depending on the Times of Malta.

A call for help

Malta insists on one point that it will not allow more migrants into its ports until an agreement is reached with the European Union for their relocation to other member states. The Valletta government has twice threatened to veto Operation Irini (read: Dark cloud over Operation Irini. Malta brandishes the threat of a veto et New warning shot from Malta against Operation Irini). Which he ultimately didn't. But he withdrew his contribution (a VPD boarding party) promised during force generation.

From European countries to absent subscribers

To this urgent appeal from the island, only France, which has promised to take 30 people in charge, followed by Portugal, promising to take six people, shoulder their share of the burden. The question could become much more problematic in the days to come. The arrival of summer in the Mediterranean is synonymous with the launching of more boats loaded with migrants leaving Libya in search of the European El Dorado.

Commentary: a new crisis to come

Obsessed with the coronavirus pandemic, Europeans risk not seeing and not being able to prepare in time. Officially, the Libyan and Maltese issue should not be discussed in this way during the meeting of foreign ministers who are meeting by videoconference this Friday (May 29). A certain lure and a probable error, as the need to provide a common response seems necessary...

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)

(1) That is 123 people in total recovered. Of this number, 18 women and children were directly brought ashore.