Tuesday, September 23, 2014, 17:00
Ten Maltese non-governmental organisations this afternoon called on the European Union to explore the possibility of establishing humanitarian visas in a bid to prevent tragedies at sea.
In a statement, the NGOs expressed condolences with the families and loved ones of those who tragically lost their lives off the coast of Malta in recent weeks.
They also expressed solidarity with men and women working hard to save lives in the Mediterranean.
Aditus Foundation, the Foundation for Shelter and Support of Migrants, Integra Foundation, the Jesuit Refugee Service, KOPIN, the Malta Emigrants’ Commission, the Migrant’s Network for Equality, the Organisation for Friendship in Diversity, the People for Change Foundation and SOS Malta said that with very limited legal and safe ways of entering the European Union and availing themselves of the Common European Asylum System, thousands of refugees were driven to North African shores to embark on life-threatening journeys.
