Anti-poverty campaigner Charles Miceli has passed away aged 68.
Miceli worked as a journalist with Union Print and later worked in the drug rehabilitation sector with Church organisation Caritas.
More recently he was involved with the Anti-Poverty Alliance to raise awareness on the phenomenon and had lately become dedicated to rent reform.
He was married to Children Commissioner Pauline Miceli, and had one daughter.
In a tweet, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said he was saddened to learn about the passing of MIceli, whom he described as a “principled and critical voice on the Left.”
“In all our meetings I felt challenged but comforted that ours were genuine arguments between people sharing the same goals of social justice.”
Opposition Leader Adrian Delia said Malta had lost a “modern day hero.” He described Charles Miceli as a person who had always brought the interests of others first and thanked him for his work with Caritas.
Caritas Malta said Miceli had formed part of its family for the last 30 years. He worked tirelessly against social injustices, was a shield for people living on the edges of society, it said, adding that Charles Miceli was a voice for the voiceless.
In social media post, President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca said that Malta lost one of its best children when it came to field of social justice.
"Charles Miceli worked tirelessly in aid of the poor and vulnerable in the country," she said.
Moviment Graffitti salutes Charles Miceli
Moviment Graffitti said its activists are "in utter shock, speechless after receiving the news that Charles Miceli, a towering figure in the struggle for social justice in Malta, has passed away".
"No words can explain the void he leaves, not only on a political level, but also on an emotional one. He was an inspiration to all of us; leftists, activists and all those who believe that another world is possible. Up to this day, we had been fighting together for rent regulation in Malta, and last year we were together in demanding a decent minimum wage. Charles was a kind hearted, genuine person. He always lived true to his principles, helping people in need while fighting for social, political and economic change.
"We are sad, we're in tears and we feel orphaned. Charles, your loss make us feel lost. At this point we can only promise you that your spirit, your thirst for social justice and activism, will continue living in all of us."