Unwelcoming rhetoric against foreigners prevails, starting from the government which has been widely accused of ignoring the plight of migrants stranded at sea, as well as delaying assistance. [EPA-EFE/DOMENIC AQUILINA]
Migrant workers and activists in Malta took to the capital’s streets over the weekend to protest against racial violence and abuse of power against ethnic minorities in the country.
The protest was organised by the Maltese Black Lives Matter (BLM) group and was entitled “Where’s the Respect? No ‘Us’ Without ‘Them’.”
“For decades we have been hearing of incidents of institutional neglect and racial violence, often at the hands of those entrusted with a responsibility and duty to protect. Enough is enough! All members of the Maltese society, regardless of background or origin, deserve to be respected and to feel safe in their community,” BLM Malta said.
Comprising 26.5% of the total Maltese labour force, migrant workers, including refugees and asylum-seekers, contribute hundreds of millions in euros to state coffers and the economy every year. Despite this, unwelcoming rhetoric against foreigners prevails, starting from the government which has been widely accused of ignoring the plight of migrants stranded at sea, as well as delaying assistance.
“Every week we learn of yet another incident of violence, often at the hands of those entrusted with a responsibility and duty to protect. Thanks to two decades of racialised discourse, abusive policies, and human rights violations, racism has become institutionalised, bullying and violence have become normalised, and a sense of impunity festers and prevails,” a statement from the organisation added.
Read more on the original article : https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/immigrants-in-malta-protest-racism-discrimination-violence/
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