Haji’s death sheds light on poverty, homelessness suffered by migrants in Malta

The Marsa bridge had become the home of refugee Haji, the Somali man who enjoyed protection status in Malta. It was underneath that same bridge, where he had spent countless nights sleeping rough, that his lifeless body was found.

And while the people in Malta are not used to seeing people sleeping in the cold outside, Haji’s death has brought to light the hidden reality of homelessness in Malta.

A group of human rights NGOs on Saturday marked Haji’s death by reiterating people’s right to live in dignity, which is a basic human right.

“The grim discovery of his dead body, under the bridge that he had made his home, brought to light the disturbing but all too often hidden reality of poverty and homelessness among migrants in Malta,” the NGOs said.

“Unfortunately, the circumstances surrounding Haji’s death are not unique – our work is a daily encounter with people who cannot meet their basic needs. People for whom finding food and, at times, shelter is a constant struggle.”

The NGOs noted that their problems are often exacerbated by mental illness or alcohol dependence, which not only make people more vulnerable to poverty and homelessness in the first place, but also make it virtually impossible for them to break out of the destructive cycle of poverty without extensive support.

“Although it would be facile to place all of the blame at the door of the state, it is clear that there is much more that can be done to ensure that migrants are able to live with dignity and effectively enjoy their rights,” they said.

The NGOs said that even migrants granted protection, are provided with very limited support to rebuild their lives in Malta. Often, they turn to NGOs for help to learn the language, further their education, or to find a job or housing.

Those struggling with mental illness or alcohol dependence, who need intensive services and support, are often unable to find it. This, coupled with difficulties finding work that is not precarious, seasonal or under-paid, and soaring rent prices, makes it increasingly difficult for migrants to live with dignity.

“Over and above, policies that are apparently legitimate, often act as a barrier to the enjoyment of rights, leaving people trapped in poverty and destitution. The right to live in dignity is a basic human right.

“Today, as the world marks International Human Rights Day, we urge Government to address the issue of poverty even among the migrant population and to take steps to ensure that individuals living in destitution receive the support that they need to live with dignity.”