
A coalition of NGOs, community members, and employers in Malta is calling for the immediate release of five Ethiopian migrants detained at the Safi Detention Centre. The group is demanding an end to the Maltese government’s controversial raids targeting long-established members of the migrant community and is urging authorities to create a clear path for regularising long-term residents.
The five men, all of whom have lived and worked in Malta for nearly two decades, were apprehended during recent night-time raids focused on undocumented individuals. These raids, which took place at private residences, have sparked widespread criticism, particularly from employers and community members who highlight the contributions the detained individuals have made to Maltese society.
Community Outcry Over the Detentions
Christine Cassar, a representative from the NGO Moviment Graffitti, voiced her outrage during a press conference, noting that two of the men have lived in Malta for 17 years. “Our friends, who have been here for years, working legally and building relationships, were suddenly apprehended at their workplace,” Cassar said. She emphasized the absurdity of the situation, considering that Malta continues to bring in thousands of foreign workers each year.
Cassar also criticised the raids as a distraction from deeper societal issues, stating: “These are all theatrics to brush under the rug more serious problems.”
Employers Speak Out
Albert Mangion, an employer of one of the detained men, praised his long-time employee as an honest, dedicated worker. “His abrupt removal from our establishment and transfer to a detention facility, in handcuffs, has left us completely dumbfounded,” Mangion said. “Our system has once again failed these people. It’s a system that shows muscle with the weak.”
Mangion expressed further dismay, stating that the men are facing imminent deportation but have been informed they could potentially return to Malta and be granted legal status in the future. “The inconsistency is appalling,” he added.
Four Key Demands
The coalition behind the press conference laid out a list of demands aimed at addressing the immediate and broader issues surrounding migrant rights in Malta. These include:
- The immediate release of the five detained Ethiopian men.
- An end to government raids that target long-standing members of the migrant community.
- The creation of a legal pathway for undocumented migrants who have been part of the community for years to regularise their status.
- Official recognition of the contributions migrants make to Maltese society and the economy, offering them security and stability rather than ongoing uncertainty.
The NGOs are urging the government to reconsider its approach to these raids and to show compassion for individuals who have integrated into Maltese society, often working legally and forming close ties with their neighbours and colleagues.
Growing Concerns Over Malta’s Migrant Policy
This case comes amid growing scrutiny of Malta’s treatment of migrants, with critics questioning the government’s long-term strategy for integration and social cohesion. While Malta relies on foreign workers for many sectors of its economy, the legal limbo faced by many long-term residents has led to mounting frustration within migrant communities and among local advocates.
“These men are not just workers; they are our colleagues, friends, and neighbours. Their place is with us, not in a detention centre,” the NGOs said in a joint statement.
As the debate continues, many in Malta are calling for a more compassionate and practical approach to migration—one that recognises the contributions of long-standing residents and provides a pathway to regularisation for those who have made Malta their home.
#ReleaseEthiopianMigrants #EndDetention #HumanRights #MigrantRights #JusticeForMigrants #StandWithMigrants #NoMoreRaids #MaltaMigration #RegularisationNow #CompassionNotDetention
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