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We are extremely disappointed that the Equality Minister’s first decision was to wholly ignore human rights NGOs. The Bill to strengthen Malta’s human rights regime and establish a much-needed human rights institution was rushed through Parliament, despite our requests to be given a chance to read and comment on the Bill.
This is a Bill of major importance for all people in Malta, with the potential of embedding human rights across all sectors of life. We have been working on this Bill’s predecessors for over 10 years, bringing our expertise and experience to the table with the aim of ensuring the highest possible human rights standards.
It is therefore with great surprise that we see the Equality Minister refusing to give us space to comment on the Bill. Had we been given the opportunity, we would have strongly welcomed the Bill and provided technical input on its provisions.
We are truly saddened by these developments, especially since the new Act will be forced upon us and the communities we work with. This will be a lost opportunity for Malta. We also hope this will not be the Equality Minister’s chosen way to engage with Malta’s human right sector.
We strongly urge Equality Minister Rosianne Cutajar and Parliament to postpone this afternoon’s vote on the Bill in order to allow us to provide comment on the Bill’s provisions, in a spirit of dialogue.
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Nesprimu d-diżappunt kbir tagħna li l-ewwel deċiżjoni tal-Ministru għall-Ugwaljanza kienet li tinjora kompletament lill-NGOs li jaħdmu fil-qasam tad-drittijiet umani. L-Abbozz tal-Liġi li jaf isaħħaħ is-sistema tad-drittijiet umani f’Malta u li se jwaqqaf istituzzjoni indipendenti tad-drittijiet umani, ġie mgħaġġel fil-Parlament, minkejja t-talbiet tagħna biex tingħatalna l-opportunità naqraw l-Abbozz u nagħtu l-kummenti tagħna dwaru.
Dan huwa Abbozz ta’ Liġi ta’ importanza kbira għall-persuni kollha f’Malta, b’potenzjal li jdaħħal u li jsaħħaħ id-drittijiet umani fis-setturi kollha tal-ħajja. Aħna ilna naħdmu fuq il-verżjonijiet preċedenti ta’ dan l-Abbozz għal aktar minn għaxar snin, billi nġibu l-għarfien espert u l-esperjenza tagħna fuq il-mejda bil-għan li niżguraw l-ogħla standards possibbli tad-drittijiet umani.
Għalhekk, hija sorpriża kbira għalina li naraw lill-Ministru għall-Ugwaljanza tirrifjuta li tagħtina spazju sabiex nikkummentaw dwar l-Abbozz. Kieku ngħatajna din l-opportunità, konna nilqgħu b’mod qawwi l-Abbozz u nipprovdu kontribuzzjoni teknika dwar id-dispożizzjonijiet tiegħu.
Aħna tassew imnikkta b’dawn l-iżviluppi, b’mod partikolari peress li l-Att il-ġdid se jiġi impost fuqna u fuq il-komunitajiet li naħdmu magħhom. Din se tkun opportunità mitlufa għal Malta. Nittamaw ukoll li dan mhux se jkun il-mod magħżul mill-Ministru għall-Ugwaljanza biex timpenja ruħha mas-settur tad-drittijiet umani f’Malta.
Inħeġġu bil-qawwa lill-Ministru għall-Ugwaljanza Rosianne Cutajar u lill-Parlament sabiex jipposponu l-vot ta’ dan l-Abbozz ta’ Liġi, sabiex inkunu nistgħu nipprovdu l-kummenti tagħna dwar id-dispożizzjonijiet tiegħu, fi spirtu ta’ djalogu.
Statment signed by: aditus foundation, African Media Association Malta, Blue Door Education, Caritas Malta, Checkpoint Malta Dance Beyond Borders, The Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation, Foundation for the Ukrainian Community of Malta, Humanists Malta, Jesuit Refugee Service Malta, MGRM, Migrants Commission, Migrant Women Association Malta, Moviment Graffitti, Repubblika, SOS Malta, Spark15.
Since 2025 the global humanitarian sector has faced slashed budgets and huge funding shortages, as states cut humanitarian aid and increased military spending, clearly choosing to prioritise securitisation over solidarity and care for each other, especially the most...
This year, on the 112th World Day for Migrants and Refugees, Pope Leo XIV calls on us all to remember the suffering of migrant and refugee children, especially those travelling alone. At JRS, the cornerstone of our work with young people is that these children are...
On Friday, 11th September, we invite you to gather with us at St Aloysius College, B’Kara, for our annual fundraising celebration, Under the Stars. Doors open at 7pm. This event is our yearly event celebrating community, an effort to raise funds for our cause, and an...
ILGA-Europe have drafted a letter to European Parliament President Roberta Metsola following last week’s shameful scenes at the European Parliament on the occasion of the adoption of the Return Regulation, calling on her to publicly condemn the chanting of the MEPs,...
For a couple of weeks in June the JRS offices had the pleasure of welcoming a group of volunteers from the Boston University. The students participated in job shadowing, received training and joined in on different activities with staff members. As part of our ongoing...
The government of Malta was ordered to pay €5,000 to a teenage asylum seeker for breaching his fundamental rights. Judge Giovanni Grixti ruled that Ayoubah Fona was unlawfully detained as a minor in poor conditions. Lawyer Neil Falzon from aditus foundation, together...
As 2025 draws to a close, we want to thank you for continuing to walk this journey with us, a journey alongside countless refugees and displaced families who long for safety, peace, and a place to belong. Unfortunately, just when the needs are greatest, devastating...
We are deeply concerned at Malta’s statement urging the Council of Europe to explore how to restrict the fundamental human rights of migrants. Packaged as national security measures, the proposals will result in a dramatic lowering of human rights standards in over...
JRS Malta is launching a Call for a Service Contract for the provision of research studies into the lived experiences of asylum seekers and the legal and policy framework regulating access to healthcare for different categories of migrants. This task is part of the...
JRS Malta is teaming up with Jesuits & Friends to launch the latest in a series of our fundraising efforts. This time, we are calling on all running enthusiasts to join the Jesuits & Friends Team at the LifeStar Malta Marathon and help raise funds for JRS in...
Since 2025 the global humanitarian sector has faced slashed budgets and huge funding shortages, as states cut humanitarian aid and increased military spending, clearly choosing to prioritise...
This year, on the 112th World Day for Migrants and Refugees, Pope Leo XIV calls on us all to remember the suffering of migrant and refugee children, especially those travelling alone. At JRS, the...
