Towards the Implementation of an Anti-Racism Strategy for Malta (END-RACISM-MT)

Professor Colin Calleja, Professor Joseph Giordmania with the support of two RSOs, Ms Kirsten Sonne and Ms Chantelle Camilleri are leading a research on hate speech as part of the European project END-RACISM-MT coordinated by The Human Rights Directorate, within the Ministry for Home Affairs, Security, Reforms and Equality

The research is aiming to deepen the government’s understanding of the experience of members of minority groups and the whole population residing in Malta of the extend of hate speech and its effect on the quality of life. The research is being conducted on the grounds of race and ethnicity utilizing a thorough methodology and approach to inform policy and raise awareness. Flyers were distributed in Maltese, English, Serbian, Arabic, Spanish and French. Those opting to answer in writing had the option to do so either in Arabic, Serbian, English or Maltese.

The Directorate is leading the ‘Towards the implementation of an Anti-Racism Strategy for Malta’ (END-RACISM-MT) project. This project is partially funded by the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme 2021-2027. It is aimed at improving Maltese public authorities’ responses to multiple and intersectional discrimination, racism and xenophobia and at laying the foundations for the implementation of a future whole-of-society Anti-Racism Strategy (2021-2023).

This project will bring change through:

• building trust between communities and public authorities by establishing a civil society-led Anti-Racism Platform;
  research aimed at deepening Government’s understanding of the experience of members of minority groups in Malta;
• the creation of a policymaking tool and the adoption of intra-ministerial action plans to ensure anti-racism mainstreaming in Government;
• action and policymaking;
• training of public officers in all Government Ministries;
• fostering cooperation between stakeholders to improve data collection practices on hate speech and hate crime;
• adopting a national Anti-Rumours Strategy based on a thorough diagnosis and the training of Anti-Rumours agents;
  spreading a strong anti-discrimination message throughout the Maltese society.

Based on this project, Malta will be able to issue a comprehensive and durable strategy against racism.

The consortium is made up of the coordinator, that is the Human Rights Directorate (HRD) and six partners: the European Network against Racism (ENAR), Diversit, Kopin, L-Università ta’ Malta and the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE). The National Statistics Office (NSO) is an associated partner.