Foreigner claims human rights violation

A man of Syrian origin has filed a constitutional application claiming that a decision to withdraw his Maltese citizenship was in breach of his human rights.

Mustefa Mustefa Al Muhamad filed the application in the First Hall of the Civil Court against the Minister of Justice and Home Affairs, the Director of Public Registry, the Prime Minister and the Attorney General.

Mr Muhamad said he had been living in Malta since August 1995 when he got married to a Maltese woman. On January 1996, he was granted Maltese citizenship and then, in July 1999, his marriage was annulled. Earlier this year, he was informed that his citizenship had been withdrawn after an inquiry committee was appointed to decide on his case.

He said the members of the committee had been selected by the authorities in question, that is, by the same people who wanted to withdraw his citizenship.

Mr Muhamad called on the court to declare that his rights had been breached as the committee was not a independent tribunal.

Lawyers Anglu Farrugia and Edward Gatt signed the application.