Why was the International Protection Agency established?

The International Protection Agency has replaced the role of the Refugee Commissioner, which was established by the Refugees Act 2000. For 20 years, the Office of the Refugee Commissioner was the first instance asylum determination authority in Malta. However, the need to further strengthen the capacity of this Office became a necessity as asylum procedures developed and become more complex due to legislative requirements.

The role of the International Protection Agency (IPA) has remained that of receiving and examining applications for international protection according to national, EU and international law, and in accordance with Malta’s obligations.

The IPA was officially established on the 7th August 2020 with the introduction of LN 194 of 2020.  As we now operate as an Agency, we have additional resources and greater flexibility within our internal structure to better adapt to the complex and delicate procedures of asylum determination.

We believe that a strong and robust asylum system should ensure that those who are in need of international protection are recognized as such, while those who are not in need of protection are returned to their country of origin. Therefore, at the IPA, we must ensure that necessary decisions are taken so that those who cannot be returned to their country because of persecution or other serious harm are granted protection status, and those who are not eligible for asylum are processed as quickly as possible so as to enable return to their country of origin.

What is EASO’s role in providing operational support to Malta?

The European Asylum Support Office (EASO) offers specific operational support to the EU Member States. The purpose of the Support Office is to facilitate, coordinate and strengthen practical cooperation among Member States on the many aspects of asylum and help to improve the implementation of the Common European Asylum System. Specifically, EASO can provide effective operational support to Member States subject to particular pressures on their asylum and reception systems, drawing up all useful resources at its disposal which may include the coordination of resources provided for by Member States under the conditions laid down in the EASO Regulation. This effective operational support refers to tailor-made assistance to the Member State on a series of measures agreed between EASO and the Member State requesting such support. 

Member States who need external help in dealing with their specific situation can request EASO’s support after the terms of reference, documented in the Operational Plan, have been agreed upon.

Malta requested EASO support in 2019 due to the unprecedented pressures on the national asylum system, which led to the signing of an Operational and Technical Assistance Plan between the two parties. This paved the way for the deployment of Asylum Support Teams and the provision of technical and operational assistance to Malta. All procedures under the Operating Plan are executed under the coordination of the Maltese authorities, to ensure that asylum seekers have access to the asylum procedure, and their application is examined as swiftly as possible. 

EASO helped alleviate the pressure on the Maltese asylum system by assisting the International Protection Agency with the registration of applications, conducting interviews and drafting decisions on such applications. This support continued in 2020, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and will progress into 2021.

Meet the IPA team

The International Protection Agency is currently looking to enhance its team with ambitious individuals with a passion for the humanitarian sector. Here, we will introduce you to three case workers from our team, who will each give their view on the challenges and satisfactions of the sector, and why it is worth investing a career in.

Annalise Mifsud has been a Case Worker with us for the past two years. She has described the job as one to never become monotonous, and shares that the stories she hears daily have shaped the way she understands human resilience, and just how inspiring it can be.

What are some of the challenges one must be prepared for when working in this sector?

Challenges are inevitable, especially when working in a sector that is ever changing. One must be prepared to shift their way of thinking which might make someone uncomfortable or even overwhelmed. At the same time, one can perceive this challenge as an opportunity to learn how to be flexible and at the same time be guaranteed that the job never gets monotonous. Cultural competence may also be a challenge for anyone who has not worked in a culturally diverse environment, yet it has made my time working in this sector an even more interesting and fruitful experience.

What was an unforgettable experience you had in the two years you have been working for the IPA?

This is a difficult one, because there are so many, but the stories I hear every day by the Applicants’ have shaped the way I understand human resilience and the extent to which it can inspire anyone willing to hear their stories.

What do you feel the Maltese perception of the sector is, and what role does the IPA have in changing such a perception?

Perhaps the perception that stands out to me the most, is the idea that the process of international protection is an easy one and that little, if any obligations are expected to be fulfilled by the Applicants. Personally, I believe, that this Agency has a responsibility in communicating what its role is, as well as the process of international protection and the demands it brings on both the Agency as well as the Applicants.

Case Worker Fatima Abdi Ahmed has been with us for two years and has recently gained experience in a workshop in Prague about handling last-minute asylum applications. She believes the younger generation has proven more open minded, which has led to several youths joining the Agency to learn more about the asylum process.

What encouraged you to apply and invest in a career with the IPA?

I had previously worked in the humanitarian sector and learned that many of our clients found it exceptionally difficult to navigate the asylum procedure, so this prompted my inner curiosity for the legal side and the drive to better engage with the asylum procedure.

Do you feel a growing interest in such jobs, particularly in younger employees?

Although things are not perfect, I think the younger generation has grown up with an open mind, having seen asylum seekers in Malta their whole life. This led to more young people joining our Agency to learn more about the asylum process. Education is also a great tool because those with an interest in politics, and more specifically migration, will know that applying for asylum is a basic human right.

What opportunities were you given when you first applied for the job, and what opportunities can one still be given after they start working in the sector?

I attended a workshop in Prague about last-minute asylum applications (LMAs). It was interesting to meet other Member State representatives and learn about how LMAs are processed across the EU, not to mention getting to explore the lovely city in my spare time.

There are plenty of training opportunities to look forward to since our roles are ever evolving, such as European Asylum Support Office training modules, workshops delivered by international organizations, such as UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and local NGO workshops focusing on specific thematic issues, such as gender.

Senior Case Officer Charlotte Vassallo speaks with twelve years of experience working with Agency, and formerly the Office of the Refugee Commissioner. Here, she shares some of her proudest moments, doing a job she describes as ‘priceless’.

You have been working in the humanitarian sector for 12 years and are no stranger to its trials and glories. What has been your biggest satisfaction?

It is hard to pick my greatest satisfaction since I’ve been working in the field for so many years. I have to say, the amount of amazing people I have had the pleasure to work with over the years has been a highlight. It’s not often that I come across colleagues who are so dedicated to their job, so open minded and respect the human rights of each individual they work with. Despite the suffering of those who fled their country, we see resilience in them. That is always inspiring. This team has always attracted like-minded and conscientiously humanitarian people.

So, if you are looking for a job where every day is different and you would like to work with a team of people who will support you in every way, this is the job for you. If you think that you are someone who respects the human rights of everyone, and you want to make a difference in an asylum seeker’s life, this is job is for you. We are not social workers, but our job is to protect people. It is our duty to see who qualifies for any form of protection and who does not, in accordance with legal definitions.

Why is a career in the humanitarian sector worth investing in?

The work we do is priceless, because as case workers, the decisions we make can make a difference in someone’s life. It is very rewarding when an applicant finds out that he/she is going to be granted international protection and you see the positive effect that it has on their life. Sometimes applicants don’t even know they have a claim for refugee status and we identify them as having a refugee claim and they get protection. I have done over 1000 interviews with applicants from at least 50 countries since I started working in this field, and I can say that no two cases are ever the same. I find it even more rewarding when I see someone who has received protection continue to pursue their career or education in Malta. I find it very rewarding to see their family members be reunited with them, and I am inspired by their resilience to overcome the challenges offered by the complexities of life in general.

What should one keep in mind when deciding to invest in such a career?

I think it’s important to keep in mind when investing in such a career, is that you are not alone. You will be offered lots of training and support by the Agency when you start working with us. You will be offered psychological support to help you cope with the stress that comes with the job.

2020 in a nutshell

Irregular migration flows to Europe have increased over the past few years. Since the early 2000s, Malta has received a steady flow of irregular migrants and asylum seekers, many of whom leave from Libyan shores onboard rickety boats. But applications for international protection are also submitted by persons who do not necessarily arrive by boat. In 2020, the International Protection Agency received 2419 applications for international protection and issued decisions on 2030 applications. 76 persons were recognized as refugees, and 192 were granted subsidiary protection. 528 applications were considered to be inadmissible because another Member State is responsible for examining their application according to the Dublin Regulation, while 196 applications were deemed inadmissible according to law. 172 of the inadmissible decisions were issued because the applicant is already benefiting from international protection granted by another Member State. Other types of decisions were also issued, such withdrawals of applications and international protection, and exclusion decisions. A total of 409 applications were rejected after it was determined that the applicants were not in need of international protection.

The CEO for the International Protection Agency, Dr Roberta Buhagiar, highlighted some of the Agency’s achievements over the past year after a rigorous agenda was set to implement the necessary changes:

“Over the past year or so, we have been actively working to introduce improvements to the national asylum procedure. We have adopted a new Code of Conduct for all staff at the Agency, improved decision-making processes and the overall quality of the asylum procedure, introduced improvements to specific procedures, and have begun a process of adopting internal guidelines on various issues to further ensure consistency in decision-making. And despite the operational challenges we faced due to COVID-19 and the number of applications received in recent years, we still managed to implement a fast-track procedure for the most vulnerable applicants”. 

IPA to continue to benefit from EASO support in 2021

The International Protection Agency and EASO have agreed to continue their collaboration and joint operations will continue in 2021.

Malta requested EASO support in 2019 due to the unprecedented pressures on the national asylum system. Support continued in 2020, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and will progress into 2021.