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