The National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE) has expressed its serious concern that three police officers are being accused of abducting and assaulting foreign nationals.

"It appears that the alleged victims were chosen by the alleged perpetrators on the basis of their skin colour and nationality. "

The three police officers were arraigned in two court sittings, one on Sunday and the other on Monday, and they pleaded not guilty.

Police Commissioner Gafa had said on Sunday, when announcing the arraignments, that the police force will never tolerate incidents involving the use of illegitimate force from its members, adding that the majority carry out their duty with honour.  Commissioner Gafa said that a report had been filed by other police officers to an internal body, which led to the eventual action against the three officers. He also said that the three were suspended from the police force 

The NCPE commended the Malta Police Force for taking immediate action after receiving reports of this alleged abuse and acknowledges the reforms that have been undertaken by the Police Force to prevent and address such  misconduct. "These incidents are not only deplorable in themselves, but they also mar the reputation of the Police Force in its entirety."

It reiterated that cases of violent racism, wherever they happen, are never isolated incidents but always connected to a context of social inequality and normalized behaviour of hatred.

"All cases of racism, discrimination and intolerance are an affront to a democratic society and as such they should be treated with the utmost seriousness."

The NCPE called on all public institutions to audit their structures in order to identify systemic racism and take the necessary action to ensure that all social groups in Malta are considered and treated as equally valuable members of society. "Moreover, persons in the public sphere have a responsibility to promote values of equality and social inclusion, and to refrain from spreading hostility towards groups based on their nationality or skin colour."