The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) did not even bother acknowledging a letter sent by the aditus Foundation after the government special envoy to the WTO Joe Grima accused the NGO of being “cultural rapists.”

The NGO’s director Neil Falzon said he is used to disparaging comments from members of the public, but such “cheap” language is not befitting of a public officer.

“When politicians speak negatively about migrants or an NGO, we have to intervene and can’t let them get away with such language. We felt the government had to intervene; the person was in some capacity representing the government. We didn’t ask for resignation or dismissal. All we wanted was a public apology from the individual and the Prime Minister, and clear condemnation of his actions,” Dr Falzon told this newsroom.

“Civil society has an important role to play. You cannot attack NGOs. It’s not done; it’s not the sign of a healthy society. NGOS are there to give people a voice. It is unacceptable for politicians to attack NGOs for speaking up for the underprivileged, it cannot be allowed.”

“We were scandalised. We are still very upset by the way it was handled by the government. Our letter was not even acknowledged by the OPM. The response given was to the media and not to us.”

Dr Falzon says the vociferous NGO has suffered at times for speaking up against government actions.

“We have felt some times that in terms of funding, open access to government entities that we have suffered a bit. We have had suspicions that some of our funding may be tampered with because of who we are.”

“In the past, the LGBTI sector was very much targeted, we all suffered for sticking up for the rights of the community, now it has changed, LGBTI rights are in vogue. Migrants have always been and will always be the difficult group. Even when speaking about persons living below the poverty line, when you speak about that group you get accused of sticking up for the bums.”

“There were points when we gave instructions to staff and volunteers to be careful who to open the door to and speak to. We also receive the occasional assaults and attacks by violent right wingers on our Facebook page.”

 

Aditus calls on PM to condemn Joe Grima