Joint NGO reaction to the authorisation to disembark 49 rescued migrants.

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. 9 January 2019

This statement is issued by the following organisations:

  1. aditus foundation
  2. African Media Association Malta
  3. agara foundation
  4. Allejanza kontra il-Faqar
  5. Allied Rainbow Communities
  6. Art4Life
  7. Caritas Malta
  8. Catholic Voices
  9. Christian Life Community (CLC) Malta
  10. Creative Arts Therapies Society (CATS)
  11. Dar Merħba Bik
  12. Dar tal-Providenza 1
  13. Department for Inclusion and Access to Learning, University of Malta
  14. Department of Gender Studies, University of Malta
  15. Department of Social Policy and Social Work, University of Malta
  16. Department of Youth and Community Studies, University of Malta
  17. Drachma LGBT
  18. Drachma Parents
  19. Fondazzjoni Ejjew Għandi
  20. Foundation for Shelter and Support of Migrants (FSM)
  21. Integra Foundation
  22. International Association for Refugees
  23. Isles of the Left
  24. Jesuit Refugee Service Malta
  25. Kopin
  26. Kummissjoni Ġustizzja u Paċi
  27. Kunsill Studenti Universitarji
  28. LGBTI+ Gozo
  29. Malta Association for the Counselling Profession
  30. Malta Catholic Youth Network
  31. Malta Chamber of Psychologists
  32. Malta Emigrants’ Commission
  33. Malta LGBTIQ Rights Movement
  34. Maltese Association of Psychiatry
  35. Maltese Association of Social Workers (MASW)
  36. Men Against Violence
  37. Migrants Women’s Association Malta (MWAM)
  38. Moviment Graffiti
  39. National Foster Care Association
  40. OASI Foundation
  41. Office of the Dean of the Faculty of Social Wellbeing, University of Malta
  42. Paulo Freire Institute
  43. Peace and Good Foundation
  44. People for Change Foundation
  45. Platform of Human Rights Organisations in Malta
  46. PRISMS
  47. Richmond Foundation
  48. Salesians of Don Bosco
  49. Segretarjat Assistenza Soċjali tal-Azzjoni Kattolika Malta
  50. Society of Jesus in Malta
  51. Solidarity with Migrants Group
  52. SOS Malta
  53. Spark 15
  54. St Jeanne Antide Foundation
  55. St Vincent de Paule Society
  56. Studenti Ħarsien Soċjali (SHS)
  57. The Critical Institute
  58. Troupe 18:45
  59. University of Malta Chaplaincy
  60. Victim Support Malta
  61. Women’s Rights Foundation
  62. Youth Alive Foundation