Ramon Casha, the chairman of the Malta Humanist Association, passed away yesterday aged 47, the association said in a statement.

Casha had been seriously injured in a traffic accident last July, from which he had never fully recovered.

Ramon was more than just a fellow Humanist, Chairperson of our Organization for several years, and a friend, the association said. He was also a generous philanthropist, a committed social activist, an invaluable contributor to informed public debate, a tireless champion of secularism, and a voice of reason who will be sorely missed. 

Few have done more than Ramon to further the cause of secularism locally. One of the founding members of the Association, he was a most energetic and committed contributor by far. As Chairperson (and earlier as Deputy Chairperson) he worked towards the creation of an Ethics Programme in the National Curriculum, and to establish a humanist celebrant service – the first initiative of its kind in Malta. Ramon himself celebrated the first humanist ceremony, a wedding, the association said. 

Ramon, a frequent contributor in the comments section of The Malta Independent, also actively supported the introduction of divorce, same-sex unions and emergency contraception, long before such views became mainstream. Often he was the lone voice of reason in a cacophony of extremism on the subject of female reproductive rights. He also provided valid contribution in the local discussion on LGBTQI equality, an area where Malta now ranks first in Europe.

His courage and energy in helping to transform this country into a better place was not in vain. Ramon’s loss is the loss of a valued voice in the Maltese free-thinking community, among who he was highly respected for his honesty and intellectual integrity. These qualities were also recognized by individuals who disagreed with him, the statement concluded.