NGOs and activists gathered in Valletta before the Law Courts on Wednesday night on the third anniversary of the murder of Lassana Cisse, saying that they stood there in solidarity with “with our sisters and brothers who continue to face violence just because they are black.”

“The Maltese community is standing together with the black community against any form of racism and acts of violence. This was a terrorist attack meant to instil terror in our own community,” the NGOs said in a statement.

AFM soldiers Francesco Fenech and Lorin Scicluna have been charged with Cisse’s murder, which was deemed to be racially motivated, and have since been granted bail.

“The two AFM soldiers who allegedly shot Lassana probably did so because they thought they could get away with it. Their self-confidence was fuelled by years of political rhetoric which suggests that foreigners may be treated as inferior people,” they said.

The NGOs said that it is of the utmost importance that Cisse’s brutal murder is recognised as the climax of the systemic and institutionalised racism which affects our society at every level, including: the courts, the military, health care services, employment, housing, and education.

They also expressed concern at reports of racial profiling conducted by the police. Foreigners are routinely face discrimination in most of their dealings with Maltese society.

“All this does not happen in a vacuum. For far too many years, political discourse has fanned the flames of racial prejudice, while others have condoned discrimination by their silence. It is important for the Government to stress that racism and prejudice will not be tolerated. Only then will we start seeing real change in the public and private sectors,” they said.

The NGOs noted that the urgency of the problem requires Prime Minister Robert Abela to be aware of the messages his Government is disseminating.

“It is his responsibility to use his authority to exert positive influence and lead by example. We urge him to foster a nation where Maltese people and foreigners may live peacefully side by side, irrespective of religion, nationality and/or skin colour,” they added.

They NGOs said that they are also appalled that, three years after his death, Lassana’s body has not yet been returned to his family in Ivory Coast.

“It is truly shocking that the authorities aggravate the trauma his family are experiencing by denying them the possiblity of laying Lassana’s body to rest and bidding him farewell. We strongly urge the authorities to return his body immediately and let the family get closure,” they concluded.

Organisations endorsing this commemoration: 1. aditus foundation 2. African Media Association Malta 3. Alleanza Kontra l-Faqar 4. Allied Rainbow Communities 5. Anti-Poverty Forum Malta 6. Association for Justice, Equality and Peace 7. Blue Door English 8. Caritas Malta 9. Dar Hosea 10. Department for Inclusion and Access to Education, UOM 11. Drachma LGBTI and Drachma Parents 12. Maltese Association of Social Workers 13. Men Against Violence 14. Fondazzjoni Sebħ 15. Humanists Malta 16. Integra Foundation 17. JRS 18. Kopin 19. LGBTI+ Gozo 20. Malta House of Prayer 21. Malta LGBTIQ Rights Movement (MGRM) 22. Marie Louise Coleiro Preca 23. Migrant Women Association Malta 24. Moviment Graffitti 25. Repubblika 26. Richmond Foundation 27. SOS Malta 28. St Jeanne Antide Foundation 29. Sudanese Community Malta 30. The Critical Institute 31. The Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation 32. The ElHiblu3 campaign 33. The Good shepherd Sisters - Dar Merhba Bik Foundation 34. The Justice and Peace Commission 35. The Paulo Freire Institute Foundation