Activists protested outside the Safi Detention Center on Tuesday, demanding the release of five Ethiopians facing deportation.

The five, who had been living and working legally in Malta for two decades, were detained after their refugee status was rejected.

The Ethiopian community, along with employers and activists, condemned the government’s actions, highlighting the men’s contributions to Malta’s economy and society.

Moviment Graffitti emphasised that the men had built their lives in Malta, paying taxes, forming social networks, and becoming integral to the country’s social fabric.

The activists argued that sending them back to Ethiopia would expose them to persecution and urged authorities to offer a pathway for long-term migrants to regularise their status.

Criticising government raids on homes and workplaces, the group called these actions “state violence” that forces undocumented people to live in fear. Employers also voiced their concerns, stressing the valuable role migrants play in Malta’s workforce and society.

The protesters demanded the immediate release of the detained men, an end to government raids, and the creation of a legal pathway for undocumented but long-standing community members to secure their immigration status and contribute to the nation’s development.

#MaltaDaily