Charles Radcliffe, the Chief of Equality and Non-Discrimination at the United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR), has praised Malta and the Ministry for Equality as a "beacon of human rights for LGBTIQ issues."

Speaking in an endorsement video sent to the Ministry, and shown to the press earlier today, Radcliffe said that Malta's achievements when it comes to civil liberties have "individually all been significant", however, altogether it could be called a "quiet revolution". "Malta is leading the way," he stated.

Radcliffe went on to quote Prime Minister Joseph Muscat speech at the recent United Nations General Assembley, who stated "I am here to tell you that it can be done."

Head of the Human Rights and Integration Directorate within the Ministry, Silvan Agius explained that the Ministry has had a "strong" relationship with Radcliffe, who directs UN Free and Equal, a global United Nations campaign for LGBTIQ rights.

Earlier, in the press coverage, Minister for European Affairs and Equality Helena Dalli gave an account of the achievements of her ministry within the first one hundred days of the Government's current legislature, as well as current work that is underway.

In replies to the media, Dalli said that gender clinics are next in discussion on the agenda when it comes to LGBTIQ issues, as well as hate-crimes, mainstreaming and hormone treatment. When asked by The Malta Independent on the current state of discussions regarding the gender clinic, Agius replied that the 'skeleton' has been created and discussions with the Ministry for Health are underway.

Last February, The Malta Independent spoke to two transgender men regarding the realities they face when it comes to situations such as appointments at gynae clinics. In the interview, they both expressed the need for gender clinics to avoid such situations. 

Work towards creating a consultative council for woman's rights is also underway, said Dalli. 

The minister mentioned work on social integration as work that is ongoing from the previous legislature."We want all the people around us to obtain the skills needed to integrate, especially when it comes to culture, linguistic integration and providing the right identification of their qualifications," explained Agius.