We are appalled beyond words that, after 18 days of negotiations, 49 men, women and children remain stuck on a boat within sight of the Maltese shore.
In spite of countless calls for solidarity, European Member States have not managed to find a diplomatic solution to the current impasse.
This is nothing short of tragic and shameful. It can only mean that we have completely lost our humanity – as a people and a union of states that supposedly upholds the values of solidarity, respect for human rights and human dignity.
We acknowledge the complex issues this situation raises, and agree that it is a European challenge requiring a European solution. However, this cannot be an excuse to abdicate our own responsibility, as individuals and as a nation, to save lives at any cost.
The duty to save lives is not only a legal but also a moral imperative which can never be subjected to political conditions, such as the availability of concrete offers of relocation or the fear of creating a precedent.
At this point, the question we must answer is simple: what is more important, scoring political points, or saving lives?
For us, the undersigned organisations, there can be only one answer: people are more important.
Today we are here to take a stand for life and dignity. We call on Malta to prioritize life and open its doors today.
Statement endorsed by the following NGOs:
- aditus foundation
- African Media Association Malta
- agara foundation
- Allejanza kontra il-Faqar
- Allied Rainbow Communities
- Art4Life
- Blue Door English
- 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 Gustizzja u Paci
- 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 Socjali (SHS)
- The Critical Institute
- Troupe 18:45
- University of Malta Chaplaincy
- Victim Support Malta
- Women’s Rights Foundation
- Youth Alive Foundation