University of Malta academics, from various departments and sections, have signed a letter requesting Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Minister for Home Affairs Carmelo Abela to renounce the decision to deport a number of migrants back to their countries of origin.

Despite their differences, these 155 academics subscribed to an appeal which claims that the decision to deport these migrants will have negative effects both on the migrants themselves and on the Maltese community in general, since most of these migrants had been living and working here for years, thus becoming members of local communities and contributing socially and economically to these.

The signatories of the appeal claimed that, as members of an academic community, they are troubled by the ethical, social, economic and educational implications of the decision. They maintained that deportation will weaken educational initiatives aimed at promoting diversity and relationality, since it runs contrary to the spirit of these. The signatories said that they are ready to assist the Maltese authorities in devising creative and inclusive solutions that will benefit both migrants and Maltese society as a whole. The letter and the names of the signatories are attached herewith.

The letter as well as the signatories can be seen here