Many human rights defenders in Malta are bullied, harassed, insulted, threatened and stigmatised, activists warned on Saturday.

"We are not satisfied that our concerns are being taken seriously by the competent authorities, especially in view of the fact that we are often victims of hatred perpetuated by those entities responsible for our protection," the Aditus Foundation said.

By tolerating this ongoing abuse, Malta is not only offending the principles that human rights embody – equality, non-discrimination, individual and social empowerment – but also further marginalising those communities and themes human rights defenders so vehemently stand up for.

Malta needs to rethink its relationship with human rights defenders, Aditus said in a statement to mark International Human Rights Day.

"This means to not merely refrain from activities that instil fear and
insecurity, but to take steps towards actively supporting human rights."

It said many human rights defenders are denied access to important dialogue with State entities, or exploited by the State as they provide those public services it refuses or is unable to provide.

They are present where State interventions are either absent or insufficient, where the risk of human rights violations is high.

"Without human rights defenders, Malta would probably not be able to boast today's levels of social wellbeing."

Malta’s human rights defenders are active in a broad range of sectors, addressing various groups of persons and themes from survivors
of domestic violence to prostitution and migrants.