I have been an activist with Amnesty International for the last 41 years. I formed part of both the Anti Torture and Anti Capital Punishment Sections. I was also appointed Amnesty International coordinator during Prisoner of Conscience Year, and last year being the 50th year of AI, I was selected leading activist for the fight against capital punishment.

Referring to AI Malta Report, it is a fact that, on July 17, 2011, 27 Somali refugees, on direction from the AFM, boarded a ship, believing they were going to Italy, but were returned to Libya. They were reportedly beaten and tortured during interrogation. This in violation of human rights.

It is also a fact that refugees and migrant children are being detained in violation of the Rights of the Child which form part of the 1966 Bill of Human Rights.

Facts are facts and these facts are in violation of human rights as stated by the European Court of Human Rights and UN Working Group On Arbitrary Detention.

My last point: the Establishment should stop the ill treatment of migrants and refugees or risk facing an international reaction.