We welcome Malta’s decision to allow the disembarkation of the 49 migrants rescued by NGO boats, most of whom spent 18 days at sea. Disembarkation will ensure that they are provided with safety, shelter, and care.
We also appreciate the solidarity expressed by other Member States and institutions of the European Union, in agreeing to share the responsibility of hosting the rescued migrants.
Such sharing of responsibilities is essential if the EU is to deal effectively with forced migration in a manner that is fair and respectful of fundamental human rights.
We underline the need to ensure that each and every one of the migrants is granted full access to asylum procedures so they will be able to get the protection that they need.
We sincerely hope that this will not happen again, and that respect for life and human dignity will remain at the heart of Malta’s approach towards refugees and migrants.
This statement is issued by the following organisations:
- aditus foundation
- African Media Association Malta
- agara foundation
- Allejanza kontra il-Faqar
- Allied Rainbow Communities
- Art4Life
- Caritas Malta
- Catholic Voices
- Christian Life Community (CLC) Malta
- Creative Arts Therapies Society (CATS)
- Dar Merħba Bik
- Dar tal-Providenza
- Department for Inclusion and Access to Learning, University of Malta
- Department of Gender Studies, University of Malta
- Department of Social Policy and Social Work, University of Malta
- Department of Youth and Community Studies, University of Malta
- Drachma LGBT
- Drachma Parents
- Fondazzjoni Ejjew Għandi
- Foundation for Shelter and Support of Migrants (FSM)
- Integra Foundation
- International Association for Refugees
- Isles of the Left
- Jesuit Refugee Service Malta
- Kopin
- Kummissjoni Ġustizzja u Paċi
- Kunsill Studenti Universitarji
- LGBTI+ Gozo
- Malta Association for the Counselling Profession
- Malta Catholic Youth Network
- Malta Chamber of Psychologists
- Malta Emigrants’ Commission
- Malta LGBTIQ Rights Movement
- Maltese Association of Psychiatry
- Maltese Association of Social Workers (MASW)
- Men Against Violence
- Migrants Women’s Association Malta (MWAM)
- Moviment Graffiti
- National Foster Care Association
- OASI Foundation
- Office of the Dean of the Faculty of Social Wellbeing, University of Malta
- Paulo Freire Institute
- Peace and Good Foundation
- People for Change Foundation
- Platform of Human Rights Organisations in Malta
- PRISMS
- Richmond Foundation
- Salesians of Don Bosco
- Segretarjat Assistenza Soċjali tal-Azzjoni Kattolika Malta
- Society of Jesus in Malta
- Solidarity with Migrants Group
- SOS Malta
- Spark 15
- St Jeanne Antide Foundation
- St Vincent de Paule Society
- Studenti Ħarsien Soċjali (SHS)
- The Critical Institute
- Troupe 18:45
- University of Malta Chaplaincy
- Victim Support Malta
- Women’s Rights Foundation
- Youth Alive Foundation