‘Ideals we constantly strive for’ – exhibition celebrates human rights

Posters depicting strong statements regarding human rights by six established national visual artists are on display in Valletta to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The event is hosted by Human Rights NGO Aditus: “For us activists, human rights are an ideal we constantly strive for. Whether at the personal, social, community, local, national or global levels, human rights give us those ideals that are often distant from our present lives. Ideals and values that, nonetheless, we feel must be within our reach.”

The themes explored throughout the six posters touch upon the plight of migrants, inequality and the uplifting message encouraging individuals to be the architects of their ‘own destiny’.

The posters were designed by artists Ed Dingli, Seb Tanti Burlo, Magda Azab, Daniela Attard, Luke Caruana and Sarah Maria Scicluna.

The exhibition has been launched at a time when various rights in Malta are being questioned. Recently, Aditus has been at the forefront of a number of situations within Maltese society where rights have been put to the test.

Only yesterday, the organisation emphasised its stand on exercising the right to peaceful assembly without needing to apply for the right to protest. It followed a statement by the Malta Police Force and a statement by Home Affairs Minister Michael Farrugia claiming that protest organisers did not apply for permission to gather for the Republic Day parade last Friday.

“We would like to remind the Malta Police Force that exercising the right to peaceful assembly should not be subject to the permission of the authorities and that protesters do not need to apply for a permit to be allowed to protest – this right is protected under the Constitution, European Convention on Human Rights, the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,” Aditus said.

The human rights organisation said it was “worrying” that such a statement was issued by the Malta Police Force “after the Minister for Home Affairs made a similar (and erroneous) statement.”

The exhibition is open to the public between 13 – 21 December, and 3 – 11 January 2020 at Desko, St. Lucy’s Street, Valletta.