A delegation of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) visited Malta from 22 to 26 May 2023 as the first step in the preparation of a monitoring report. The visit was preceded by online meetings on 17 May 2023. During the visit, ECRI’s delegation gathered information on effective equality and access to rights; hate speech and hate motivated violence; and integration and inclusion.

The delegation held meetings with representatives of the national government, equality body (the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality), the Parliamentary Ombudsman and other independent bodies, members of civil society organisations, trade unions and media professionals. In addition, the delegation visited the Gender Wellbeing Clinic, which provides healthcare to transgender persons, and Naxxar Induction Hub, which provides induction programme for migrant children preparing to join mainstream schools in Malta. It also went to Msida, where it met with representatives of the local authorities.

Following this visit, ECRI will adopt a report in which it will make a new set of recommendations on measures to be taken by the authorities to address racism and intolerance in the country. The implementation of two priority recommendations will be reviewed in two years’ time after the publication of the report as part of ECRI’s interim follow-up procedure.

In its 2018 report on Malta, among other recommendations, ECRI recommended that the authorities grant the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (or its successor institution) the competence to initiate, and participate in, court proceedings as well as to monitor compliance of the legislation with the prohibition of discrimination and make proposals for modifications where necessary.

It also recommended the adoption of a strategy for the integration of all migrants, along with a clear message to the public that integration is a two-way process for both migrants and the majority population. 

For more information on previous ECRI reports on Malta, please visit ECRI’s country monitoring page.