Asylum seeker MGRM member released from detention centre following protest
NGO welcomes decision but says systemic change still needed
An MGRM community member, who is seeking asylum in Malta, was released from the Ħal Safi detention centre this week, only after activists staged a protest during a government event.
On Friday, the Malta Gay Rights Movement (MGRM) announced on social media that Angoua Abdu, an activist described as both a client and community member, had been freed from the centre.
Abdu was originally detained after his asylum application was rejected. He was appealing the decision based on his sexual orientation.
“We greatly appreciate the government’s immediate response, but there must be systematic changes to ensure everyone’s dignity and safety,” MGRM said in a social media post.
The release followed a protest during a speech by junior minister for equality Rebecca Buttigieg at the opening of a Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Sex Characteristics Unit (SOGIGESC) conference.
Activists held placards with slogans including “Celebrating Pride while queer people are in detention”, “No Pride for some of us without liberation for all of us”, and “Free Angoua Abdou”.
MGRM said that after the protest, members spoke directly with junior minister Buttigieg and explained Abdu’s situation.
The organisation had previously stressed that Abdu’s detention “places him at severe risk of bullying, harassment, homophobia, and violence”.
Shortly afterwards, MGRM and Abdu’s legal team from Aditus were called in for a meeting with Mauro Farrugia, CEO of the International Protection Agency (IPA), which is responsible for receiving and processing applications for international protection in Malta.
Following that meeting, Abdu was released and the IPA agreed to reopen his case, according to MGRM.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Home Affairs also confirmed Abdu’s release.
While welcoming the decision, MGRM reiterated that “detention should always be a last resort,” adding: “Until then, we will continue to stand up for every LGBTIQ+ asylum seeker on the island.”
Abdu’s release came during Malta Pride Week. The day after, hundreds attended the annual Pride March in Valletta.