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A group of 17 Non-Governmental Organisations has launched an appeal to Government for the publication of the NGO White Paper.
The NGOs, namely Moviment Graffitti, Kopin, Friends of the Earth (Malta), Nature Trust, Inizjamed, Malta - Cuba Society, Ceratonia Foundation, Association for Men's Rights, The Arts Collective, Malta Organic Agriculture Movement, Zminijietna, The Astronomical Society of Malta, Third World Group, Amnesty International (Malta Group), Gaia Foundation, Malta Gay Rights Movement, and Malta Council of Disabled Persons, said: “We strongly appeal to Government that the NGO White Paper is issued at the earliest and that the consultation process should be at least 8 weeks long.
It is very important that Government takes heed of feedback from all NGOs that submit their views, as different NGOs may have different needs and concerns which are to be taken into account in order that NGO Legislation may be comprehensive and truly representative.”
“In view of the fact that no NGO currently has legal status,
Non-Governmental Organisations are facing various difficulties. To give two common examples, NGOs cannot benefit from bank guarantees, and problems are also being faced when applying for EU funding for projects.”
“We also believe that rights such as freedom of association and freedom of expression should be guaranteed through NGO legislation, and should not be dependent on whether an NGO enjoys legal status.”
Mike Briguglio
Sliema
For the NGOs
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