Migrants are often being dehumanised through public discourse, a practice that needs to stop in 2019, the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality has urged.

There was a need for more responsibility in public statements concerning migrants, particularly when coming from persons in the public eye, the NCPE said in a statement.

"Discussing issues connected to migration, its dynamics and its management is essential in a democratic society. However, these discussions should always be based on the belief that migrants are persons with human rights and dignity as everybody else, and that they are an integral part of our society."

Alarmist discourse, that does not match the reality on the ground, creates a negative and hostile environment for everyone

Depicting migrants in stereotypical ways, and making wild generalisations about their experiences and behaviour, or seeing their mere presence in a locality as a “problem”, leads to entire social groups becoming considered as a threat simply because of their skin colour or cultural background.

Such depictions, especially when promoted by public figures, have a very negative social impact since they reinforce social distance, exacerbate social tensions and hinder the path towards inclusion, the NCPE warned.

While challenges brought about by migration should be acknowledged and addressed, an alarmist discourse, that does not match the reality on the ground, creates a negative and hostile environment for everyone, it said.

In the last year, a number of politicians have embarked on populist discourse seeking to capitalise on the number of foreigners living in Malta, especially black migrants.