S.L. 420.5 ст. 2Citation and purpose. Cap. 217.

For the purposes of these regulations: "the Act", means the

International Protection Act; "the Chief Executive Officer" means the Chief Executive Officer and includes, to the extent and authority given, any other persontemporarily authorised in that behalf by the Minister;

"displaced persons" means third-country nationals or stateless persons who have had to leave their country or region of origin, or have been evacuated, in particular in response to an appeal by international organisations, and who are unable to return in safe and durable conditions because of the situation prevailing in that country, who may fall within the scope of refugees under Article 1A of the Geneva Convention or other international or national instruments giving international protection, in particular:

(a) persons who have fled areas of armed conflict or endemic violence; or

(b) persons at serious risk of, or who have been the victims of, systematic or generalised violations of their human rights; "Geneva Convention" means the Convention of the 28 July 1951 relating to the status of refugees, as amended by the New York Protocol of 31 January, 1967;

"mass influx" means the arrival of a large number of displaced persons, who come from a specific country or geographical area, w h eth e r th eir arriva l wa s sp onta n eous or ai ded , f o r ex amplethrough an evacuation programme; "the Minister" means the Minister responsible for immigration, and any public officer to whom the Minister may delegate in writing any of the duties appertaining to him under this Act; "Principal Immigration Officer" means the person appointed to such of fice by the Prime Mini ster under article 3 of the

Immigration Act, and includes, within the limits of any authority granted by the Principal Immigration Officer under the said article 3, any public officer acting under such authority;

" re sidence permit" means any per m it or aut ho r isa ti on issued under any law at the time in force in Malta and taking the form provided for in that legislation, allowing a third country national or a stateless person to reside in Malta; "sponsor" means a third-country national enjoying temporary protection in Malta in accordance with a decision taken under regulation 6 and who wishes to be joined by members of his or her family; "temporary protection" means a procedure of exceptional character to provide, in the event of a mass influx or imminent mass influx of displaced persons from third countries who are unable to return to their country of origin, immediate and temporary protection to such persons, in particular if there is also a risk that the asylum system will be unable to process this influx without adverse effects for its efficient operation, in the interests of the persons concerned and other persons requesting protection;

"unaccompanied minors" means third-country nationals or stateless persons below the age of eighteen, who arrive in Malta unaccompanied by an adult responsible for them whether by law or custom, and for as long as they are not effectively taken into the care of such a person, or minors who are left unaccompanied after they have entered into Malta; "UNHCR" means the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.