President Coleiro Preca endorses initiative taken by three independent newspapers

President Marie Louis Coleiro Preca has endorsed an initiative by the Times of Malta, The Malta Independent and MaltaToday, which have united to give a voice to all those people who have had their Temporary Humanitarian Protection-New (THP-n) status removed, many of which will be unable, through no fault of their own, to get proper documentation for a residence permit.

These individuals have been forced to live in complete uncertainty, despite the roots they have developed and the contribution they have made to Malta over the years.

Writing on her Facebook page yesterday, the President noted how the three newspapers have sent a “powerful message” that should encourage others to continue promoting conflict-sensitive and peace-oriented approaches”

Newsbook and RTK have also taken up the initiative, expressing their support to the stand taken by the three newspapers.

The newspapers have called on the government to refrain from senselessly deporting all those detained migrants from Mali who have been living in Malta for years, and employ a wellreasoned, practical policy.

THP-n was initiated in 2010 and was granted to all those migrants whose application for asylum or subsidiary protection has been rejected. It has since been under review.

Until recently THP-n was granted to asylum seekers who are unaccompanied minors, who genuinely could not be returned through no fault of their own – either because of unfavourable relations with the country of origin, legal problems, for medical reasons or humanitarian grounds.

The Prime Minister and the Home Affairs Minister have also been called upon to end the crippling uncertainty that these humans, just like you and me, have been forced to endure.