Future Generations Guardian must be dismissed following his racist comments

JOINT NGO reaction to comments made by the Guardian of Future Generations

The undersigned non-governmental organisations strongly condemn the racist comments by Mr. Maurice Mizzi, nominated as Guardian of Future Generations by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.

According to Government’s mission statement, Mr. Mizzi’s role is to “endeavour to facilitate closer collaboration between all stakeholders in the pursuit of the right balance between socio-economic development and environmental stewardship in the Maltese Islands.

Finding a balance between socio-economic development and environmental stewardship is achievable by fostering inclusion, and certainly not by condemning difference, or singling out any particular religious belief. Mr. Mizzi seems to forget the responsibility that comes with his role and the essential point that the most important factor to achieve development and guarantee future generations is peace.

We, the undersigned, firmly believe that peace relies wholly on acceptance and inclusion; this means that people are entitled to have their own religious beliefs, or no religious beliefs at all. Singling out one religious belief as impeding development is untrue. It foments hate, something we can ill afford to increase in our small country because it only leads to violence, death and destruction, as very recent incidents in Malta have shown. 

We remind Mr. Mizzi that migrants are generally fleeing from war, socio-political persecution and economic hardship, often induced by interests beyond their countries’ borders. Mr. Mizzi’s declaration contradicts the Prime Minister’s statement about the need for more workers, irrespective of religion, origin or colour.

Finally we remind Mr. Mizzi that it is his role to ensure that no person’s work is exploited in the name of socio-economic development, and protecting our environment from over-exploitation is part of his job. 

The undersigned do not tolerate any form of racist discourse. There can be no space for this kind of ideology or language in our country.

In the light of such racist declarations, we demand his immediate resignation or removal by the Prime Minister as his position is no longer tenable.


This statement is endorsed by:

  1. aditus foundation
  2. African Media Association
  3. Allied Rainbow Communities
  4. Catholic Voices
  5. Cross Culture International Foundation
  6. Department of Gender Studies (University of Malta)
  7. Drachma LGBTI
  8. Drachma Parents Group
  9. Eritrean Refugees community Association in Malta
  10. Fondazzjoni Sebħ
  11. Foundation for Shelter and Support to Migrants
  12. Integra Foundation
  13. International Association for Refugees
  14. JRS Malta
  15. KOPIN
  16. Malta Emigrants Commission
  17. Malta Humanist Association
  18. Migrant Women Association Malta
  19. Moviment Graffitti
  20. National Foster Care Association Malta
  21. People for Change Foundation
  22. Platform of Human Rights Organisations in Malta
  23. Repubblika
  24. Richmond Foundation
  25. Solidarity with Migrants Group
  26. SOS Malta
  27. Spark15
  28. Sudanese Migrants Association
  29. The Critical Institute
  30. Troupe18:45
  31. Dr. Elena Tanti Burlo
  32. Dr. Colin Calleja
  33. Ms. Louise Chircop
  34. Professor Peter Mayo
  35. Professor Duncan Paul Mercieca
  36. Dr. Josephine Milton
  37. Professor Paul Pace
  38. Ms. Jacqueline Zammit