PEOPLE ARE MORE IMPORTANT

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.

 

IN-NIES HUMA IKTAR IMPORTANTI

Ninsabu ixxukjati u bla kliem li, wara 18 il-ġurnata ta’ negozzjati, 49 raġel, mara u tfal għadhom miżmuma fuq dagħjsa ftit il-bogħod mill-art ta’ Malta.

Minkejja talbiet numerużi favur is-solidarjeta’, il-membri ta’ l-Unjoni Ewropea għadhom ma rnexxilhomx isibu soluzzjoni diplomatika għall-impass preżenti.

Din hi sitwazzjoni traġika u tal-mistħija. Ifisser b’mod ċar li tlifna kompletament l-umanita’ tagħna – bħala poplu u bħala Unjoni ta’ stati li suppost jiddefendu l-valuri tas-solidarjeta’, tar-rispett tad-drittijiet umani u tad-dinjita’ umana.

Nifhmu li din is-sitwazzjoni tqajjem kwistjonijiet kumplessi, and naqblu li hija sfida Ewropea li tirrikjedi soluzzjoni Ewropea. Madankollu, ma nistgħux nużaw dawn l-argumenti bħala skuża biex nabdikaw ir-responsabilta’ tagħna, bħala individwi u bħala nazzjoni, li nsalvaw il-ħajja akkost ta’ kollox. Id-dmir li nsalvaw il-ħajja m’hijiex biss legali imma wkoll dmir morali li qatt ma jista’ jkun sottomess għall-kondizzjonijiet politiċi, bħad-disponibilita ta’ offerti konkreti ta’ rilokazzjoni jew il-biża li jinħoloq preċedent.

F’dan il-punt, il-mistoqsija li rridu nirrispondu hija din: X’inhu l-iktar importanti, li nagħmlu punt politiku jew insalvaw il-ħajja?  

Għalina, l-organizzazzjonijiet firmatarji, hemm biss risposta waħda possibli: in-nies huma iktar importanti.

Illum qegħdin hawn biex nieħdu pożizzjoni favur il-ħajja u d-dinjita’. Nagħmlu appell lil Malta biex nagħtu priorita’ lill-ħajja u niftħu l-bibien tagħna illum.

08/01/2019

This statement is being issued by:

  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

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