Malta
The number of people claiming asylum in Malta has increased by approximately 20% in the last two years. Most asylum seekers come from Somalia, Eritrea and Sudan. Asylum seekers are detained on arrival for up to 18 months. Asylum seekers have the right to work after 12 months, but the necessary permit documents are expensive, valid for only 3 months at a time, and issued with long delays.
Hadish
Hadish fled Eritrea after being imprisoned for campaigning for a democratic constitution. He crossed the Mediterranean sea when he failed to find protection in neighbouring African countries and was detained on arrival in Malta. 
Solomon
In his late fifties, Solomon escaped political imprisonment in Ethiopia 13 years ago. He eventually found himself in Malta, where he was detained for eight months and has since been denied refugee status.
