Equality commission launches anti-racism drive

The National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE) has launched a project aimed at promoting racial equality in a bid to develop a "clear understanding of the situation of ethnic minorities and housing."

The project - 'I'm Not a Racist, But...' - is co-funded through the EU's Progress funds and partners include the Agency for the Welfare of Asylum Seekers (AWAS), the Jesuit Refugee Services (JRS) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

NCPE executive director Romina Bartolo said the project is also intended to "empower the African minority to get their voice heard, advocate for their rights and to report discrimination."

Another aim is to raise awareness on racial discrimination and promote cultural diversity.

Justice minister Chris Said, also present during the launch of the project, said that a number of complaints lodged at the NCPE by both the private and public sector, frequently concerned allegations of racial and ethnic discrimination in the provision and supply of goods and services. "These complaints include allegations of racial discrimination in access to visa applications and access to bars and clubs in Paceville and other localities," Said said.

"The NCPE project is a commendable initiative at a time when multiculturalism is now a reality in our country. I believe we are on the right track in setting up a higher standard of living for all," the minister said.

Said added that although the NCPE has raised awareness on racial equality, "the rate of complaints is very low."

He explained that the phenomenon of under reporting was the subject of a study entitled 'Strengthening Equality Beyond Legislation' which looked into the reasons why people do not report incidents of discrimination to the relevant authorities.

Konate Ali, a representative of the Migrants Network for Equality, said the network today was "the voice of migrants" and represented the majority of migrants living in Malta. "The network aims to address the main concerns regarding migration. It was set up to create a contact point and help migrants tackle their diversity problems."

Ali said that the network intends to be a strong and united movement to solve the problems faced by migrants and promote integration of migrants in Maltese society. "Integration is a two-way process and both migrants and the Maltese community need to be aware of multiculturalism."

Another migrant present at the press conference spoke from the floor and explained that one of the reasons why migrants do not report every case of discrimination, especially at work, was that this would mean that they are fired and lose their job.

In reply, Minister Said said it was always easy to report these cases, even when other minorities and Maltese persons are faced with discrimination. "We must ensure that whoever reports some kind of discrimination does not end up in a worse situation after filing a report."

NCPE project coordinator Lara Bezzina said that the project will include training programmes for the African minority in empowerment and reporting discrimination. She said the project mostly targets the African minority because it is the largest minority in Malta, but does not exlude spreading the training to other minorities.

"The main components of the project are research, information dissemination, training and raising awareness," Bezzina said.

The awareness campaign will make use of video clips and will also comprehend the organisation of an Anti-Racism Day. The Anti-Racism Day will comprise various activities creating a multi-cultural atmosphere and video-clips promoting anti-racist messages and positive images of ethnic minorities in a local setting.

Bezzina also said that a study on the housing experiences of ethnic minorities and the concerns of property owners will be carried out in the next few months. The NCPE will be issuing two leaflets, one aimed at migrants and another for property owners. The leaflets will include information on the legislation and the rights and obligations of both owners and tenants. The results of the study will published during a conference to be held later on during the year. She said information leaflets will be published in English, Somali and French among other languages.