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Category: Press Statement

Do not disembark in Libya! Press statement by the #DontLetThemDrown initiative

We are extremely concerned to read of on-going negotiations between European Union Member States and Libya regarding the possible disembarkation in Libya of the twelve migrants rescued some days ago. Returning rescued migrants and refugees to Libya would expose them to serious human rights violations, which is a serious violation of international and European law.

International human rights law prohibits States from sending persons to countries where their life or freedom are in danger, or where they face a real risk of torture or inhuman and degrading treatment. Furthermore, in the context of rescue at sea, international maritime law requires that rescued persons – whoever they are – are disembarked at a place of safety. In view of the current turmoil in Libya, which is putting the lives of many Libyans at risk, and of the widely reported ill-treatment of non-Libyan migrants and refugees, it is clear that Libya cannot be considered a safe country in terms of international human rights law or of international maritime law.

In this regard we reiterate the September 2018 conclusions of the United Nations Refugee Agency:

“In light of the volatile security situation in general and the particular protection risks for third-country nationals, UNHCR does not consider that Libya meets the criteria for being designated as a place of safety for the purpose of disembarkation following rescue at sea.”

The undersigned non-governmental organisations, acting together as the #DontLetThemDrown initiative, strongly urge Malta, Italy and Spain to make sure that the rescued migrants are not disembarked in Libya under any circumstances. We urge the three Member States to reaffirm their commitment to fundamental human rights, as international legal obligations and also as shared European values.

We also call on the European Union institutions to ensure respect of these core values, and of the obligations boldly enshrined in the European Union Treaties and other legislation.

Furthermore, we appeal for the immediate disembarkation of the rescued migrants at a place of safety in order to avoid further deterioration of their situation and that of the crew members.

 

Making Malta Home! NGO Response to the Launch of the Specific Residence Authorisation policy

We are happy to welcome the Specific Residence Authorisation policy, launched today by the Ministry for Home Affairs and National Security and the Parliamentary Secretariat for Reforms, Citizenship and Simplification of Administrative Processes. The policy will ensure the security, stability and dignity for those migrants who, throughout the years, have invested their energies and dreams into making Malta their home.

As announced today, the new policy will be accessible by current holders of the Temporary Humanitarian Protection N status. It will also be accessible by persons who cannot be returned to their countries of origin and who, during their time in Malta, have demonstrated integration efforts.

The SRA policy will therefore offer eligible persons the possibility to make the significant shift from a temporary – and therefore insecure – situation to one that embraces the principles of transparency and predictability. Importantly, the SRA policy will also contribute towards combating migrant poverty and the anxiety that inevitably ensues from living in an eternal limbo.

Essentially, we appreciate that the SRA policy is a clear acknowledgement by the relevant authorities of the personal, social, financial and other contributions made by so many migrants in Malta.

In doing so, Malta is taking a bold step towards fostering a truly inclusive society.

We are looking forward to the implementation of the new policy, and offer our support to ensure its smooth operation.

Finally, we thank the Ministry for the consultation process that permitted the ‘This is Home’ campaign to share its views in a frank and open manner. We reiterate our support of this form of engagement, and look forward to other similar interactions with the Ministry on matters of mutual concern.

‘This is Home’ campaign is composed of:

aditus foundation, African Media Association Malta, The Critical Institute, Foundation for Shelter and Support to Migrants, Gender Liberation, Integra Foundation, International Association for Refugees, JRS Malta, KOPIN, Malta Emigrants’ Commission, Maltese-Serbian Community, MGRM, Migrant Women Association in Malta, Moroccan Community in Malta, Moviment Graffitti, Organisation for Friendship in Diversity, the People for Change Foundation, the Platform of Human Rights Organisations in Malta, SKOP, Solidarity with Migrants Group, SOS Malta, Spark 15, Sudanese Community, Third Country National Support Network, Women’s Rights Foundation.

 

The Minister needs to confirm that Malta is still a safe and functioning democracy. NGO Statement on recent Ministerial actions on the ‘Daphne Memorial’

The actions of the Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government in relation to the ‘Daphne Memorial’ in Valletta are utterly shameful and reprehensible. They represent an unequivocal repression of free and peaceful political and personal expression. These are fundamental human rights boldly enshrined in Malta’s Constitution and part of the human rights regime Malta so proudly subscribes to.

The Government’s, or the Minister’s, opinions of slain journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia should play absolutely no part in its relationship with a group of people who, on a regular basis, choose to gather in Valletta to express political opinions or to mourn Daphne Caruana Galizia.

International and national human rights law protect the rights of all people in Malta to assemble, and to express their opinions. These are core pillars of a functioning democracy, since they ensure the safety of people whose personal, political, religious or other views – and their public expression – jar with those of the majority, and of the government. Limitations on these rights are only permitted where strictly necessary and for reasons linked to the protection of national security, public safety or the rights of others.

The Ministry’s justification for its actions – to safeguard national monuments – is therefore unacceptable and a clear populist attempt at ignoring basic legal standards, especially since no damage to the Great Siege Monument was ever alleged or demonstrated. Furthermore, the Ministry may comfortably rely on other less intrusive laws for the protection of our national heritage, without acting in such a repressive and childish manner.

We therefore urge the Minister for Justice, Culture and Local Government to immediately refrain from these undemocratic tactics and to simply allow the public and peaceful demonstration of opinions and views that he might not be comfortable with.

“This is not asking for too much, just for the peace of mind that we still live in a safe and functioning democracy”,

Dr. Neil Falzon (aditus foundation Director).

“Anti-migrant discourse is contrary to the nation’s values!” Joint NGO Statement reacting to comments made by the Leader of the Opposition

We are shocked and disgusted by comments publicly made by the Leader of the Opposition against non-Maltese nationals. Using inflammatory language and calling for affirmation of the Maltese identity, Dr. Delia accused non-Maltese nationals of instilling feelings of fear and insecurity, and “causing havoc with our Maltese identity.”

This language is abhorrent as it is intended to generate hatred, discrimination, exclusion and violence, and has no place in Malta.

We unequivocally condemn Dr. Delia’s statements and urge him and his colleagues to refrain from resorting to such divisive discourse for the sake of political expediency.

It is clear that several national and global developments have hastened the pace of social change, making today’s reality and society extremely different to those of a few years ago. Developments such as Malta’s EU accession, neo-liberal economic policies, globalisation, the rise of social media have been championed by successive Maltese governments, and the nation has also benefitted from a broad opening up of markets, lifestyles and commodities.

That said, these developments have also brought about uncertainty and growing insecurities. Furthermore, not all have benefitted from the economic boom and there is growing inequality and abject poverty in Malta, together with several fractures within our communities.

Social change has bought about a sense of loss and uncertainty for many and, for some, fear of change.

Dr. Delia’s comments seem to suggest that he is keen on capitalising on such insecurities and populist sentiments. He not only negates the political factors that have contributed to such human misery, but attacks various communities whose only lowest common denominator is that of being non-Maltese.

Such discourse not only smacks of hypocrisy, but raises serious questions vis-à-vis the Party’s commitments to international human rights obligations and to Malta’s very own Constitution.

Malta’s 1964 Constitution (Article 1) opens with the statement that the nation “is a democratic republic founded on work and on respect for the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual.” This statement must be interpreted as meaning that all persons living in Malta are entitled to be respected and valued, and their humanity and dignity protected under all circumstances.

It means that Malta will foster inclusive communities that accept all persons, irrespective of skin colour, gender sexual orientation, age, gender identity, disability, or nationality.

It is reflected in a long list of laws and policies, such as laws criminalising hate crime and hate speech, equality legislation prohibiting discrimination in several spheres of life, education policies, marriage equality, the establishment of equality bodies, etc.

This is the Malta we all want to live in. This is the Malta we are called upon to create and maintain, together. The Leader of the Nationalist Party has an immense responsibility in this nation-building exercise.

We hope that he, and his colleagues, will not rubbish this responsibility for a handful of votes, but that he will promote the Constitution’s values throughout his work.

Statement issued by:

aditus foundation, Allied Rainbow Communities, The Critical Institute, Drachma LGBTI, Drachma Parents, Foundation for Shelter and Support to Migrants, Integra Foundation, Isles of the Left, Jesuit Refugee Service Malta, KOPIN, LIBICO, Malta Emigrants’ Commission, Malta LGBTIQ Rights Movement (MGRM), Men Against Violence, Migrant Women Association, Moviment Graffitti, Platform of Human Rights Organisations in Malta, Richmond Foundation, Solidarity with Migrants Group, SOS Malta, SPARK15, St. Jeanne Antide Foundation (SJAF), We Are, Women’s Rights Foundation.

“WHERE HAS OUR HUMANITY GONE?” JOINT NGO STATEMENT ON THE QORMI FARM HOUSING OVER 100 MIGRANTS

We are extremely shocked and saddened at the discovery of around 120 migrants living in absolute squalor in a Qormi farm. As details of the incident continue to unfold, a story of exploitation, abuse and dehumanisation is emerging. It is disconcerting that some people are able to treat fellow human beings with such contempt and disregard for their dignity.

It is now a well-established fact that sustaining economic growth in Malta is dependent on diverse forms of migrant labour. And yet, there appears to be very little acknowledgement of the fact that the migrant labour force forms the backbone of economic growth. Without this acknowledgement, there remains very little space for respect, let alone appreciation and inclusion.

As a result of Malta’s steady economic growth more and more people, across the socio-economic spectrum, are being forced out by the relentless rise in real estate and rental prices. For an increasing number of people, a month’s salary will not cover a month’s rent.

The shortage of affordable and decent housing is affecting hundreds, if not thousands, of persons including Maltese, Europeans and migrants.

A toxic blend of housing costs, labour exploitation and racism ensures that many African migrants are positioned at the far end of the socio-economic spectrum. Over the past few months there have been more and more reports of migrants being forced to pay obscene prices to live in the most abhorrent and inhumane conditions simply because they have nowhere else to go.

This situation is unacceptable and something must be done in order to curb this profit-driven assault on human dignity.

However, evicting migrants with no pre-warning and providing no viable alternatives cannot and must not be part of the strategy. The fundamental human right to housing requires the Government to ensure that all persons are able to secure a roof over their heads, especially the most vulnerable. In this particular case, we emphasise that the Government has a legal and moral responsibility to ensure that the welfare of the entire labour force be prioritised over economic growth and increasing profits for the few.

Specifically, the competent authorities have an urgent responsibility to work with all the relevant agencies to ensure access to dignified accommodation. The Government must immediately pursue a strategy to ensure that decent and affordable housing is made available for all, regardless of where they fall on the economic ladder.

Furthermore, the Government is urged to take concrete action to implement the promised rent reform, taking into account the rent reform proposals put forward NGOs and other stakeholders, to address the skyrocketing rental prices that are hitting Malta’s most vulnerable populations hardest.

It is our duty, as a nation, to ensure that no person lives in such terrible conditions and that we value the humanity of all persons as we do our own. It is also our duty not to turn a blind eye to such terrible incidents, but to act promptly in order to prevent further human suffering and work towards making Malta a truly better place for all.

This press release is being issued by the following 28 organisations:

aditus foundation, African Media Association, Allied Rainbow Communities, Caritas Malta, Christian Life Community – CLC Malta, The Critical Institute, DrachmaLGBT, Drachma Parents Group, Integra Foundation, International Association for Refugees, JRS Malta, Justice and Peace Commission of the Archdiocese of Malta, KOPIN, Malta Emigrants’ Commission, Malta Humanist Association, Malta LBGTIQ Rights Movement (MGRM), Men Against Violence, Migrant Women Association, Moviment Graffitti, Platform of Human Rights Organisations in Malta (PHROM), Richmond Foundation, Solidarity with Migrants, SOS Malta, Spark15, St. Jeanne Antide Foundation (SJAF), Victim Support Malta, We Are, Women’s Rights Foundation.