https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/12177 2026-04-14T10:09:19Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/13912 Title: Human health security in Palestine : how has the barrier wall affected Palestinians’ human security? : a specific study relevant to the physical and psychological Health in Ezariya and Abu Dis, East Jerusalem Abstract: The previous studies on human security in Palestine focused on the several types of security, i.e., the state of being free from danger or threat. These include economic security, political security, environmental security, community security, personal security and health security. In Palestine proper, the focus on health security has not been sufficient, especially in terms of the effects of the Barrier wall on the physical and psychological health of Palestinians as well as their lives and well-being. This research will investigate the effects of the Barrier wall on Palestinians physical and psychological health security in two problematic areas of Ezariya, and Abu Dis in East Jerusalem. The research will be based on analyzing the effects of the Barrier itself, in addition to how Israeli forces implement control of Palestinian populations on both sides of the barriers through checkpoints, towers, and passages located at the barrier. It is important to investigate, analyze and highlight this problem in literature because the vital core of human security is human health security and subsequently human lives. While good health, well-being and survival are all necessary to enhance human freedoms as a whole, the absence of freedom and the constant presence of fear jeopardize one‟s right to live in dignity. To this end, this research paper adapts qualitative method, in depth face-to- face interviews with ordinary citizens in the field, in addition to focus groups and observation. This study reveals how Palestinians are subjected to health security threats and are living under health insecurity conditions. Specifically to this study, their physical and psychological health are affected directly and indirectly because of the barrier, the checkpoints, points of entry, which are all controlled by Israel. Israel imposes restrictions on Palestinians and often initiates obstacles to freely access health facilities on the Israeli controlled side, which constitutes a direct threat to those in need of immediate care. Description: M.A.HUMANITARIAN ACTION 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/13907 Title: The impact of EU foreign policy on small member states : analysing the case of Malta and Cyprus Abstract: This dissertation was inspired by the limited research existing in the field in spite of the fact that both Malta and Cyprus have been Member States of the European Union (EU) for the past twelve years. This work has, in fact, been undertaken to address this gap in literature, with the aim being that of analysing the impact of EU foreign policy on the national foreign policy of Malta and Cyprus. This analysis commences with a historical overview of Malta and Cyprus’ foreign policy and a special focus on their relations with the EU. This is followed by two case studies which aim at presenting a comprehensive and comparative analysis on the impact of EU Membership, particularly with respect to EU foreign policy sensu lato, national foreign policy institutions and procedures and foreign policy substance. The first case study relates to Malta and Cyprus’ accession to the EU, with the analysis focusing on the impact of the transposition and implementation of the acquis communautaire on national foreign policy. The second case study analyses the impact of EU membership on Malta and Cyprus post-2004. In order to ensure a comprehensive analysis, this case study employs a sector-specific approach, featuring the two most important foreign policy priorities for Malta and Cyprus: Irregular Migration for Malta and the Cyprus Problem respectively. The analysis conducted in the case studies is carried out in light of the over-arching concept of Europeanization. The latter theory assists in presenting a framework on the impact of EU foreign policy on the national foreign policy of Malta and Cyprus, doing so via three main processes: Adaptation and Policy Convergence, National Projection and Identity Reconstruction. The case studies outline several examples of interaction within the context of EU foreign policy and how the three processes of Europeanization have diversely affected, or been utilised by, Malta and Cyprus. With this having been said, the same analysis also reveals that national foreign interests and preferences remain the primary focus of these EU Member States. The conclusions of this research aim to offer the reader a comprehensive framework of analysis on the influence and potential of small EU Member States participating in EU foreign policy. Description: M.A.INT.REL. 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/13906 Title: Temporary humanitarian protection (new) – benevolent or malevolent? : Malta as a case study Abstract: The problem of irregular migrants has become an issue of concern, and many regularisation programmes have sprouted up across Europe to combat the problem of status. One of the counterparts to other EU members’ schemes would be Temporary Humanitarian Protection New which is an ex gratia relief unique to Malta. This thesis seeks to analyse whether the benefits of Temporary Humanitarian Protection New (THPN) outweigh its drawbacks. An interview with the current Refugee Commissioner, Mr. Mario Guido Friggieri, revealed that there are 1302 current beneficiaries of THPN who had arrived in Malta on or before 2007 and who had to present proof of employment, residence, a clean police conduct, and knowledge of Maltese and English to be eligible. To generalise the findings to the whole population, survey research method was deemed to be most appropriate. Due to the high homogeneity within the targeted population a high number of participants were recruited at the Office of the Refugee Commissioner, while the rest of the population were obtained via snowball sampling. The results revealed that the majority of the participants find the whole process of applying for THPN very stressful especially since it takes a long time to compile the necessary documentation. What also came to light was the fact that many of the applicants are not familiar with the specifics of THPN, most notably that it can be stopped at any given time. The study revealed that most of the beneficiaries believe that THPN provides better job opportunities but it did not enhance their way of life. In view of the findings it was concluded that THPN is certainly not benevolent. Description: M.A.HUMANITARIAN ACTION 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/13905 Title: The role of NATO in the foreign policy of France and Britain Abstract: This dissertation will address the issue of NATO with regards to French and British foreign policy, with a main focus on the security developments of the last 10 years. The events in question threaten the present European security balance, and have left a pivotal impact on the contemporary history not just of Franco-British-NATO relations, or individual French and British NATO relations, but also on the international community as a whole. The need for NATO, as it is, arises from the globalization of collective security. France and Britain, even in their continued commitment to NATO, typify extremely developed societies with the moral authority to light the way forward in international relations based on their conceptions of the rule of law, diplomacy, democracy and statecraft. The ethics of policy formation in line with the Alliance's desired best practice are extremely relevant for analyses of international politics. Ultimately the placement of NATO within the international system based on British and French debates of the NATO idea will be analysed in the conclusion. Description: B.A.(HONS)INT.REL. 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z