September 30, 2002

PROTEST AGAINST MALTA'S DECISION TO REPATRIATE REFUGEES

 SOCEPP has received reliable information affirming that the government of Malta is preparing to forcefully repatriate refugees who had come from Eritrea and Ethiopia. The deportation measure will affect less than ten Ethiopians and dozens from Eritrea. The Maltese government action will contravene its own court's decision to suspend any such action.

 The refugees who entered Malta when the boat they were traveling in had problems all came from places where human rights is being violated as a matter of course by repressive governments. Both the EPRDF and the PFDJ, ruling parties in Addis Abeba and Asmara respectively, have been denounced as gross violators of human rights and any refugee that is repatriated back to these regimes is liable to face grave danger to his or her life. Hence, the illegality and cruelty of the decision by Malta to repatriate the refugees.

 SOCEPP calls on the government of Malta to stop the planned repatriation/deportation oft he refugees since doing so will endanger their lives. Once again, SOCEPP calls upon the UNHCR too to stand and be counted by raising a voice in defense of the refugees and against the illegal Maltese plan of deportation.

 Please write your protest letters to the UNHCR and to the Maltese government via the embassy nearest you.

SOCEPP