Referring to Tuesday’s protest at the Safi detention centre, the National Platform of Maltese NGDOs has commented that violence is never an acceptable means of protest and urged detainees to turn to other, non-violent means of expression to voice their frustrations.

“No one is justified in using violence as a means of protest in a democratic country,” the Platform said in a press statement, while also expressing its solidarity with the Armed Forces and the Police Force – particularly those who were injured during the course of Tuesday’s mayhem.

The protest, however, highlighted the need to have more effective and efficient systems at detention centres, it said.

“The detention centres themselves might be the cause of such violent behaviour,” the Platform remarked. “The Platform is aware that the current situation is a cause of frustration for both the Armed Forces and the asylum seekers, due to the long periods of time needed to process the applications for asylum.

“Moreover, the Platform has highlighted the need for more social workers to work with both asylum seekers and the Armed Forces.”

The Platform’s membership comprises the Centre for Faith and Justice, the Jesuit Refugee Service, Kare4Kenya, Koperattiva Kummerc Gust, Kopin, Moviment Graffiti, the Share Foundation, SOS Malta, the Third World Group and Voluntiera Lajci Missjunarji.