An analysis of Malta’s international protection examination standards and a review of amendment Act XIX

Abstract

Malta lies right between the crosshairs of the central Mediterranean migration crisis. In 2019, the region witnessed unprecedented waves of migration. That year, 4,023 migrants applied for international protection in Malta. Out of these applicants, the IPA recognised 354 in the same year. This dissertation seeks to identify core elements that shape the asylum framework, and how domestic law influence these statistics. Beyond the EU, are the international norms found in the convention still guiding the behavior of State actors? While the EU affirms the primacy of the 1951 Convention, many standards and procedures are generated by a framework of Union directives, most of which are innovations to the original Convention. This dissertation is being written at a time where the EU asylum framework is becoming noticeably denser, creating obligations for MS to respect. This assessment will consider whether the direction being taken is faithful to the 1951 convention, or if a new set of norms are being established in the EU.