Silent gathering calling on government to #FreeThe9 Malians locked up for three months

A silent gathering has been organised on the eve (13 February) of Valentine’s Day outside the Safi detention centre currently holding nine Malians who have been locked up for three months, without any indication of what will happen to them.

This is a joint effort by the Aditus Foundation, Moviment Graffitti, Integra Foundation, JRS and the Critical Institute, supported by the Solidarity for Migrants group.

In November, 33 Malians were arrested and detained, with Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela stating that it was part of a wider EU initiative. A review by the Office of the Refugee Commissioner led to the release of nine Malians, followed by a further 15.

The return of the imprisoned nine migrants is subject to the Malian government submitting the relevant identification documents. The African delegate had already visited Malta as part of the initiative, however the Maltese government has, since then, been waiting for the documents. Should the Malian government fail to provide them, Mr Abela said the government would reassess the situation and take a decision.

It will be the first action since a group of activists and academics launched the ‘Free the Nine’ campaign to pressure the authorities into releasing the migrants.

The EU-wide initiative relates to a deal with Mali, which is to provide funds to the African nation in return for accepting failed asylum seekers as well as making a genuine effort to fight the human smuggling trade.

The migrants, who have lived in Malta for years (the longest being eight) have worked, paid taxes and integrated, have had their status withdrawn. Al- though they adhered to the rules by going to police headquarters once a year to have their papers renewed, they still wound up arrested – some very publically – and placed behind lock and key.

The Solidarity with Migrants group issued a press statement on 10 February (The feast of St Paul) which read: “We have launched a campaign, ‘Free the Nine’, calling on the competent authorities to release the nine Malian migrants who have been incarcerated for almost three months, even though their incarceration was not sentenced by a law court and they have committed no crime.

“The Solidarity with Migrants group decided to launch this campaign today, the 10th of February, the feast of Saint Paul, a feast which, among other things, commemorates Maltese hospitality and empathy with the foreigner and with those who are suffering.

“The Solidarity with Migrants group notes it is ironic that the islands will be celebrating this event, while the nine individuals are imprisoned for no valid reason.”