A journalist, who adopted two black children, was yesterday at the receiving end of an anonymous letter with racist content sent to his office.
The letter, sent to l-orizzont and iNews Malta journalist Victor Vella repeatedly urged him and his family to leave the country.
“I have no idea who could have sent the letter but I believe those who wrote it knew that my children were adopted,” Mr Vella said when contacted by timesofmalta.com this morning.
The letter tells Mr Vella to take his "clandestine" children back to Mogadishu or Khartoum, concluding with the words: “Illegal immigrants, refugees or not, OUT.”
Letter tells Mr Vella to take his "clandestine" children back to Mogadishu or Khartoum
It heaps praise for the so-called Għaqda Patrijotti Maltin, and right-wing leaders Matteo Salvini, Marine La Pen, Viktor Orban and Poland’s new right-wing government, all of which are known for their anti-immigration rhetoric.
The letter also attacks Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Opposition leader Simon Busuttil, calling them the scourge of Malta.
While the letter and its message did not impact Mr Vella, he said he did worry about his wife who was slightly more concerned about the comments. His two children, both four years old, were adopted from Ethiopia.
“I will go on as if this never happened, a person who writes things like this should be ignored,” he said about the letter.
“Of course, this does highlight the fact that there is still a lot to be done where this subject (racism) is concerned,” Mr Vella said.
In a statement this morning, the Institute of Maltese Journalists condemned the “cowardly letter” and called on the police to catch the perpetrators who had resorted to anonymity to spread racist comments.
The General Workers' Union reiterated that these were no longer times when one lived in fear and it appealed for measures against those who resort to similar actions aimed at intimidating.
"The GWU and its media would go on to work in favour of integration and respect and fight to eradicate xenophobia once and for all."
Alternattiva Domekratika expressed solidarity with Mr Vella and his family.
"We salute the Vella family, and others like them, who have adopted children. They are shining examples of generosity and altruism," chairman Arnold Cassola said.