26/06/2008 - JRS Comments on 2008 Amendments to Refugee Law [PDF]

23/04/2008 - Council of Europe Report links racism in Malta to detention policy
The 3rd Malta report  European Committee on Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), issued today states that policy of systematic detention of all arriving migrants is having 'negative consequences on...the perception of these people as criminals and the levels of racism and xenophobia among the general population'. In a strongly worded reply, the Government accuses the report of showing 'disregard of Malta's vital national interests', and of falling short of 'accepted standards of impartiality'.  It is said that the ECRI mission did not take up the offer to visit the detention centres but relied on 'second hand information given by a few militant NGOs'.
Read more: ECRI Malta report [PDF]
Malta Government response [PDF]

08/03/08 - International Woman of Achievement award presented to Dr.Katrine Camilleri
The US Embassy presented Dr. Katrine Camilleri, who leads the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) legal team, with its annual International Woman of Achievement award. US Ambassador Molly Bordonaro presented the award to Dr Camilleri at a reception on Tuesday held to mark Women's Day. Dr.Camilleri was recognised for her exceptional and courageous work as an advocate for human rights and for her commitment to ensuring that irregular migrants in Malta receive adequate social and legal services.01/03/08 - JRS Europe Common Position on Administrative Detention
JRS Europe has just released its position on the detention of asylum seekers and irregular migrants.
Read more...[PDF]

21/02/08 - Pope Benedict XVI commends JRS for their continued support of refugees
In an address delivered to the 35th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus,  Pope Benedict brought special attention to those who continue to suffer from poverty and exclusion. He made reference to a society that pursues its own selfish endeavours as opposed to global solidarity.Pope Benedict stated, "The situations of injustice and poverty in the world of today are countless and dramatic and it is necessary to try to understand and combat in the heart of man the deeper causes of the evil that separates him from God, without forgetting to meet the more urgent needs in the spirit of the charity of Christ".
His Holiness mentioned the late Fr Pedro Arrupe and his 'far sighted intuition' in committing the Jesuits to work with refugees.  He went on to commend the Society of Jesus for continuing "to engage in a meritorious way in the service of the refugees, who are often the poorest among the poor and need not only material help but also the deeper spiritual, human and psychological proximity especially proper to your service".

14/02/08 - Dr. Camilleri participates in seminar about gender based violence
Between the 14th and 15th February 2008, the International Centre for Reproductive Health and the University of Ghent held a seminar in Belgium entitled "Hidden violence is a silent rape: Prevention of gender-based violence against refugees and asylum seekers in Europe." Dr. Katrine Camilleri of JRS Malta spoke at the opening of the seminar, giving a contextual introduction to the state of refugees and asylum seekers in Europe with regards to immigration control, detention, and destitution. The seminar presented the results of community-based research on the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence against refugees, revealed a new prevention tool, and established policy recommendations for enhancing prevention efforts in the EU member states. 
Read the speech... [PDF]

01/10/2007 - JRS (Malta) lawyer wins 2007 Nansen Award
Dr Katrine Camilleri, the JRS(Malta) lawyer, has been awarded the 2007 Nansen Award by UNHCR for her stand on refugee rights and tolerance.  At a short but very meaningful ceremony at the UNHCR headquarters in Geneva, JRS(Malta) lawyer Katrine Camilleri was presented with the 2007 Nansen Award by High Commissioner for  Refugees Antonio Guterres. "We are all privileged to be able to give the Nansen Refugee Award to an angel," António Guterres said before handing over the award in front of scores of guests.
Read UNHCR Report...
Read acceptance speech...

16/08/07 - CPT 2005 Report on Malta
Today the Maltese government published the report of European Committee for the Prevention of Torture on its visit to Malta in June 2005, together with the government response. The CPT delegation visited the Maltese detention centres, and raised concerns on ill treatment, conditions of detention, removal of foreign nationals and medical services 
Read more... CPT 2005 Report [PDF]
Read more... Government Response [PDF]

6/7/2007 - Government appreciation of JRS work with asylum seekers
In a letter to Fr Paul Pace, JRS Director, Prime Minister Dr Lawrence Gonzi expressed the 'Government's appreciation for the good work being done by JRS with, and in defence of, asylum seekers arriving in Malta'
Read more...

11/06/2007 - Message by Maltese Bishops
The Maltese Bishops have today issued a strong message entitiled 'Human Life First and Foremost' in which, while acknowledging the complexity of the migration issue and the disproprortionate burden that Malta has to bear, say that 'that even in cases where responsibility for rescue lies with other States, our country should do all that is possible to ensure that there is no loss of human life'.
Read more..

JRS Europe launches report on destitute forced migrants
JRS Europe has recently completed research on the situation of destitute forced migrants. There has been research at a national level in Europe but this is the first study at European Union-wide level. JRS has identified it as an EU-wide problem which is connected to EU returns policy.

This project was made possible by a grant from EPIM - NEF. The results of this study will be made public during a press event in the Residence Palace in Brussels, on 15th May.