Human Dignity & Rights

2022 Annual Report

In a year which was sadly marked by the return of war on European soil and daily reports of deadly injustices and senseless violence, the need to denounce situations of violent injustice, whilst proposing creative pathways which lead to more just and reconciled communities, has never been so urgently felt.

In this context, as a Commission, we make ours the words of the Holy Father who, whilst in Malta, highlighted the need to shore up the foundations of life in society, namely honesty, justice, a sense of duty and transparency… Read more »

The power of hospitality

On the 5th of March, 2002, 250 asylum seekers drifted into Xlendi Bay, Gozo. Their arrival marked what would later be considered as the first major disembarkation of asylum seekers on Maltese shores. Since then, the issue of migration has practically never disappeared from our socio-political agenda. Among friends and colleagues, the pros and cons of welcoming people in a multicultural society are discussed. Come election time, the success or otherwise of our “integration” programmes is debated… Read more »

Sejjaħli b’Ismi

After months of hard work during which a series of dialogue sessions were held between migrants and the host community, the exhibition Sejjaħli b’Ismi was launched on Sunday 11th December. This intercultural project is the result of a collaboration between the Sejjaħli b’Ismi team, the Justice and Peace Commission and JRS (Malta) and commemorates the 20th anniversary since the first major disembarkation of asylum seekers on our shores… Read more »

The not-so-beautiful game

Ever since FIFA chose Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup, this Gulf Kingdom has been the subject of sustained critical scrutiny. What ought to be a celebration of talent, diversity and healthy competition is instead turning out to be a tournament overshadowed by stories of exploitation, murky transactions, and prejudice. In this case, the exercise in “sportswashing”, whereby corporate sponsors and host-nations seek to improve their reputation by leveraging the powerful emotions evoked by sporting events, does not seem to be going according to plan… Read more »

23 organisations appeal for urgent need for regulating the ‘free for all’ use of Cannabis

The recent developments surrounding the appointment of a new Executive chairperson of the Cannabis Authority confirms our strong reservations, that the Government has introduced legislation with a major impact on society in a hurried manner and without creating effective structures to implement the law.

One year after the law was approved, the perception that the use of cannabis in our society has become ‘free for all’ has dramatically increased while the structures contemplated by the law to regulate are conspicuous by their complete absence… Read more »

Displacement

Not a day goes by without reading an article on migration or overhearing a remark about the impact of migrants on Maltese society. The Pope himself, when visiting Malta, made it a point to meet migrants at the Ħal Far Peace Lab to express his solidarity and closeness to people on the move.

But who exactly is a migrant? Has the number of people leaving their home country increased and do they find welcoming communities? … Read more »

Peace, integral ecology and synodality

The International workshop 2022 of Justice and Peace Europe took place in Assisi from the 7th until the 9th of October. Participants were welcomed by the Franciscan community and led into the opening prayer by a group of young people who are actively engaged in the Italian Justice and Peace Commission. Daniel Darmanin (President) and Mark Cachia (Executive Officer) attended this meeting on behalf of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Archdiocese of Malta… Read more »

rethink.mt

To follow up on Pope Francis’ visit to Malta, the Archdiocese of Malta is launching a project titled: rethink.mt: Rethink culture.

rethink.mt is a space for respectful dialogue on complex issues shaping Maltese culture. Supported by the Vicariate for Evangelisation and hosted by Justice & Peace –Malta, discussions will take place with various people active in Maltese society about the kind of culture we are hoping to build together… Read more »

Catholic Social Teaching: a dialogue

Aħseb u Ara is a podcast hosted by the Malta Catholic Youth Network and the Justice and Peace Commission. This project is the result of a collaboration that began in 2021 and led to the Youth Engagement Study research, which was carried out in the same year.

The aim of these podcasts was to discuss themes from the Social Teaching of the Church… Read more »

Indifference that kills

The Justice and Peace Commission urges Malta’s authorities and politicians to prioritise the saving of lives and refrain from using language that fans the flames of indifference following the unnecessary death of a four-year-old girl who tragically lost her life in Malta’s Search and Rescue Area.

The young girl, Loujin, died because action by the competent authorities to save the lives of 60 people stranded at sea — who had left Lebanon 10 days earlier — came too late… Read more »