A university student group,Studenti Demokristjani Maltin held a silent protest in reaction to the news of the suicide of a Ghanaian migrant at the University of Malta

25 people, who held up placards reading 'Are you human?'and 'I see humans not humanity' among others, stood in the University quadrangle in solidarity with  Frederick Ofosu, who allegedly committed suicide because of the mental strain and uncertainty in being stuck in Malta without being granted asylum.



While it is important to commend the students who came together to express their concerns over a significant yet divisive issue, it speaks volumes about a wider problem within the university itself.

In the supposed centre for liberal and progressive thought only 25 students out of a university population of 11,500 attended. It seems that a majority of students are only interested in expressing their opinions through social media platforms or the comfort of their own sofa.


Mr Ofosu allegedly took his life after the recent uncertainty concerning individuals who have been granted Temporary Humanitarian Protection, which is given to asylum seekers who genuinely could not be returned through no fault of their own is currently under review by the Home Affairs Ministry and the Refugee Commissioner.

 In November, roughly 1,300 migrants who held THP-n status were told that said status would end by 31 October 2017 and thusly all their benefits should they fail to provide authorities with a passport.

This changed on Tuesday when Minister Abela announced that the Cabinet decided that migrants with said status would continue to enjoy the same benefits, regardless of whether or not the migrants were able to get identity documents   

         

At the protest, spokesperson for SDM did thank the Cabinet for finding respect for migrants.

"Things like this should not happen in a democratic country which preaches tolerance"

He also thanked the people who attended the protest.

Photographs by Jonathan Borg