Malta’s Stateless Children: Born Here, But Not Citizens

Imagine growing up in Malta, speaking Maltese and English, cheering for the same football team as your neighbours, and yet, you’re not considered a citizen. This is the reality for many stateless children born and raised in Malta, a situation that’s drawing attention and calls for change.

Stateless in Paradise

Malta, an island nation known for its Mediterranean charm and vibrant culture, is home to a group of individuals who, despite being born and raised here, do not hold Maltese citizenship. These are the stateless, children who, through no fault of their own, find themselves in a legal limbo. They are not citizens of Malta, nor of any other country.

Take, for instance, the case of Maria*, a 12-year-old girl who has lived in Msida all her life. Her parents, originally from a country that does not allow dual citizenship, never regularised their status. Maria, born in Malta, has never set foot in her parents’ homeland. She’s a child of Malta in every sense, except on paper.

The Legal scene

Malta’s Citizenship Act of 1989 states that anyone born in Malta to parents who are not Maltese citizens can apply for naturalisation after living here for five years. However, this process is complex and often inaccessible for those who cannot afford legal assistance. it doesn’t apply to children under 18, leaving many stateless children in a Catch-22 situation.

Adding to the complexity is Malta’s international obligations. The 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness, which Malta ratified, requires signatory states to grant citizenship to stateless persons born on their territory. However, Malta has yet to fully align its domestic laws with this convention.

Calls for Change

Local NGOs like Aditus Foundation and the Malta Refugee Council are at the forefront of this issue. They argue that Malta should grant citizenship to stateless children born and raised here, as a matter of principle and in line with international law.

Dr. Neil Falzon, the Executive Director of Aditus, states, “These children are Maltese in every sense but on paper. They deserve the same rights and opportunities as any other child born and raised in Malta.”

Similar sentiments are echoed by the Opposition. The Labour Party has pledged to address this issue if elected, promising to introduce legislation that grants Maltese citizenship to stateless children born and raised in Malta.

Meanwhile, the government maintains that it is committed to addressing statelessness but has not yet presented a concrete plan. A spokesperson for the Ministry for Home Affairs and National Security stated, “We are looking into this matter and will be taking appropriate action in due course.”