UN working group on arbitrary detention concludes visit to Malta

The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concluded a visit to Malta, which has been organized, between 19 and 23 January 2009 at the invitation of the Maltese government.

The Group said the length of time illegal migrants are detained is not "in line with international human rights law". Although Malta applies fast-track procedures in the case of vulnerable groups (families with children, unaccompanied minors, pregnant women and breast-feeding mothers, and people with disabilities, serious or chronic physical or mental health problems), according to the Government it may still take up to 3 months to release these people from the detention centres. Furthermore, those who are considered a health risk must stay in detention.

The Working Group found the conditions of detention at Safi and Lyster Barracks, where the majority of immigrants in an irregular situation and asylum seekers are being detained, to be appalling to the extent that the health, including the mental health, of the detainees is affected. This situation, in turn, affects their ability to properly understand their rights and to follow the legal proceedings related to them.

Sources: - UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concludes visit to Malta- Annex to the press release on the visit of United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention to Malta

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