We Have the Power to Impact Our Future, and We’re Doing Something About It

Humanism is important because we need to realise that Human values are a worthy pursuit to ensure the success of our species and its future generations. We understand that the responsibility for ushering this new future is within our hands and our hands alone, not in the external agency of a supernatural force, and this is more understood in communities becoming more and more pluralistic. In today’s realities, Humanism is a light that shines a path to focusing on our common humanity, rather than our differences, to foster democratic dialogue in better, stronger, freer communities.

Campaigns

 

Constitution Consultation

Secularism is not about the imposition of atheism or  agnosticism, but rather calls for the separation of church and state, and equal treatment for all. We question why Catholic principles should be given legal precedence in our Constitution. Read more here

Voice For Choice Coalition

We are part of the Voice for Choice coalition. We do not promote abortion, but support women’s bodily autonomy and right to choose. Read more here

Assisted Dying

“These are not easy decisions but in the meantime, people with genuine cases are requesting euthanasia to end their suffering. The lack of this right is tantamount to torture for these people.”
“To protect the dignity and autonomy of the patient, the law needs to be precise and unambiguous – safeguarding the wellbeing of the patient and precluding the possibility of abuse.” Read more here

Body Donation

Humanists Malta fully supports and encourages the donation of bodies for the education of health professionals, and for scientific research. Read more here

Living Wills

Living Wills would enable competent adults to give instructions about the medical care which they consent to, or reject, if they are unable to make or communicate decisions at the relevant time. (They would not, of course, allow for requests for any treatment, such as assisted dying, which are contrary to law.) Read more here

Sex Education

Adolescents in Malta are sorely underinformed about safe sex and sexual health. We strongly believe that far more, unbiased and scientifically-based, sex education programmes are needed urgently in our schools. We are currently seeking funding to start a project on this. Read more here

Cremation Campaign

Since 1963 the Roman Catholic Church has not prohibited cremation unless it is chosen as a way to deny Christian teaching. With the support of Humanists Malta, cremation services have been legal here since May 2019. So far no regulations to govern crematoria have been established, but a crematorium in an extension to the Addolorata cemetery is under discussion. Read more here

Ethics Education

Humanists Malta has been a strong proponent of the introduction of ethics education in Maltese schools. Ethics education has apparently been growing, though statistics are hard to come by. It was reported that, by 2018, just over 4,000 students were studying Ethics instead of religion. In 2023 the Education Ministry told Humanists Malta that there has been significant progress in the provision of Ethics Education in state schools, that Middle and Secondary schools have the full complement of teachers, and that educators were allocated to primary schools which requested the subject. Read more here

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required
Whatsapp Notifications

I don’t think we should ever allow religion the trick of maintaining that; the spiritual, and the beautiful, and the noble, and the altruistic, and the morally strong, and the virtuous are in any way inventions of religion or particular, or peculiar to religion

Stephen Fry

The meaning of life is not to be discovered only after death in some hidden, mysterious realm; on the contrary, it can be found by eating the succulent fruit of The Tree of Life and by living in the here and now as fully and creatively as we can.

Paul Kurtz

Unfortunately, strong political affiliations, religious dogma, skin color, language differences and uneven wealth distribution have the power of separating us, human beings. These are cosmetic differences, some of which are unnecessary.

We are more alike than we think and if we support and tolerate one another, no matter where we come from, and if we plan for those who will succeed us, the world would be a much better place.

Vannie Pule

Recent Posts

22 hours ago

Humanists Malta
Multiculturalism cannot work when it is broken by design and when one community is told, repeatedly and through both word and policy, that its presence is conditional, its worship fallacious, and its representation in public life is an imposition.A thoughtful and timely piece by Humanists Malta committee members Christian Colombo and Joanna Onions on belonging, equality, and the kind of society we are choosing to build in Malta.At a time when fear and exclusion are increasingly normalised in public discourse, this article reminds us that dignity, fairness, and inclusion are not weaknesses. They are the foundations of a healthy democracy.#HumanistsMalta #humanism #malta #equality #inclusion #humanrights #multiculturalism #belonging #SocialJustice #maltesepolitics #democracy #civilrights #StandAgainstRacism ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

5 days ago

Humanists Malta
🕊️ Palliative care and assisted dying should not be treated as opposites.We often hear the argument that Malta must first perfect palliative care before even considering Voluntary Assisted Euthanasia. But this creates an undefined and moving threshold — one that risks prolonging suffering for people facing an unbearable situation now.Humanists Malta has always supported the strongest possible palliative care. It is essential, and it must continue to be developed, funded, and made accessible. But making “better palliative care” a prerequisite for even discussing VAE sets up a false choice. The two are not alternatives, and one should not be used to postpone the other indefinitely.Even the best palliative care has limits. Some people, despite receiving attentive support and medical care, may still experience suffering they personally find intolerable. In many cases, those who seek assisted dying explain that it is not only physical pain that matters. Physical symptoms may sometimes be manageable, yet the emotional suffering, loss of dignity, loss of autonomy, and irreversible decline caused by their condition can become unbearable in ways that no amount of palliative care can fully address.For them, the question is not abstract. It is deeply human.Palliative care and Voluntary Assisted Euthanasia should be understood as part of the same spectrum of compassionate end-of-life care — not as competing alternatives. One should not be used to delay or deny the other.A humane society should offer care, relief, dignity, and choice. 🤝www.facebook.com/share/p/1CuNM9KQd8/#Malta #Humanism #AssistedDying #VoluntaryAssistedEuthanasia #VAE #EndOfLifeChoice #EndOfLifeCare #PalliativeCare #Compassion #HumanDignity #PersonalAutonomy #BodilyAutonomy #RightToChoose #PatientRights #MedicalEthics #Ethics #InformedConsent #DignityInDying #CompassionateCare #FreedomOfChoice #ReasonAndEmpathy #Healthcare #Malta #MaltaNews #CivilSociety #HumanRightsThe Palliative Care Association of Malta has called for stronger palliative care services before Malta continues discussions on euthanasia, following Labour’s confirmation that the issue could eventually be decided through a national referendum if the party is re-elected.In a statement titled “Strengthen Palliative care before Euthanasia Referendum,” the association said efforts should focus on ensuring that “all patients have access to high quality Palliative Care before reigniting the national debate on euthanasia.”The association referred to commitments made during the 2025 public consultation process, including promises to improve access to essential medicines and implement the National Palliative Care Strategy. While acknowledging progress, it stated that “important elements of these commitments are still pending, including access to a number of promised medicines.”It also warned that further resources and commitments are still needed to strengthen the speciality, adding that without the necessary support, “it remains difficult to provide the highest standard of palliative care to people living with terminal illness.”The statement encouraged the Government to continue prioritising support for vulnerable patients as part of the wider national discussion surrounding euthanasia in Malta.Follow News Of Malta 🇲🇹 for the latest stories and updates. ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

1 week ago

Humanists Malta
🏳️‍🌈 **IDAHOBIT — 17 May** 🏳️‍⚧️As humanists, we affirm the inherent dignity and worth of every human being. No one’s freedom, safety, or humanity should depend on who they love or how they understand themselves.IDAHOBIT is not only about remembering past progress — it is about recognising our shared responsibility, here and everywhere, to challenge prejudice, reject pseudoscience, and stand firmly for reason, compassion, and human rights. 🌍✨A humanist approach calls on us to listen to lived experiences, to be guided by evidence, and to place empathy at the centre of our societies. Equality is not a special privilege — it is a moral baseline. ⚖️Today, we stand in solidarity with LGBTQ+ people worldwide and reaffirm our commitment to a world where everyone can live openly, safely, and without fear. 🫶✊🏽 The work continues.❤️🧡💛💚💙💜#IDAHOBIT #HumanistsMalta #Humanism #Equality #HumanRights #FreedomFromDiscrimination #IDAHOBIT2026#InternationalDayAgainstHomophobia #AgainstHomophobia #AgainstBiphobia #AgainstTransphobia #secularism #secularism #secularhumanism #secularhumanism #SeperationOfChurchAndState #equality #Queer#Pride #LoveIsLove #TransRights #transrightsarehumanrights #HumanRights#EqualRights #HumanDignity #Inclusion #Respect #LGBTQMalta ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

1 week ago

Humanists Malta
🗳️ A referendum on voluntary assisted euthanasia would give the Maltese public the opportunity to engage directly with one of the most profound and personal ethical issues of our time.At Humanists Malta, we believe these conversations should be approached with empathy, dignity, and respect for differing views. Discussions on end-of-life choice are not simply political debates — they are deeply human questions involving suffering, autonomy, compassion, and personal dignity. 🤝For some people facing terminal illness and unbearable suffering, having the option of voluntary assisted euthanasia can offer peace of mind, comfort, and a sense of control during the final stages of life. No person should be forced to endure unnecessary suffering against their wishes when safeguards, informed consent, and strict medical oversight are in place. 🕊️We support open, evidence-based dialogue that allows people to make informed decisions while listening respectfully to the experiences and perspectives of others. A compassionate society should not turn away from difficult conversations, but approach them with humanity, care, and respect for individual choice. 💬Whatever one’s position, meaningful public participation and informed discussion are essential if Malta is to navigate this issue responsibly and respectfully. 🇲🇹www.facebook.com/share/p/1GSeJJSKeU/#HumanRights #Dignity #Compassion #Choice #Dialogue #Malta #HumanistsMalta #Humanism #AssistedDying #VoluntaryAssistedEuthanasia #VAE #EndOfLifeChoice #EndOfLifeCare #PersonalAutonomy #BodilyAutonomy #RightToChoose #HumanDignity #InformedConsent #MedicalEthics #Ethics #EvidenceBasedPolicy #PublicDialogue #RespectfulDialogue #PatientRights #CompassionateCare #Autonomy #FreedomOfChoice #ReasonAndEmpathy #Democracy #CivilSocietyMalta’s next big referendum could be about euthanasia... at least if the PL is elected into government again.“We carried out a broad consultation on voluntary assisted euthanasia and we introduced the concept of a medical will into the law,” the party stated today, on the day it released its promised electoral manifesto. “The people participated in large numbers and expressed different opinions on this issue.”PL went on to state it believes the discussion on this delicate subject should continue, asserting its view that the people “should be given the opportunity to express their opinion through a referendum”.Voluntary Assisted Euthanasia, or VAE, is one done at the explicit request of a mentally competent patient who is usually suffering from a terminal illness and experiencing unbearable suffering. Beyond consent, the inclusion of a medical professional who directly administers the life-ending medication is also a vital part of VAE.An option reserved for some very divisive topics, referendums have been held only seven times in Malta’s history. Most recently 11 years ago back in 2015, the country voted on the repealing of a spring hunting season for turtle doves and quail. Before that, 2011 saw a referendum on the introduction of divorce, while in 2003, a referendum was held on whether Malta should join the European Union.Do you think Malta should hold a referendum on voluntary assisted euthanasia? ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook

From our Blog

2025 – Q1 update

Kindly find the slideshow with updates from Q1 available: here

The Future of the Humanist Movement in Malta

This article - download as PDF - was first published in the 21st issue of the SHARE magazine by Philosophy Sharing Malta. The future of the humanist movement in Malta Context Following several years of doubts, I still remember the early days when I had decided to move...

Calendar of Events

Access our calendar of events

Link to our public Google calendar of events
(Google format, iCAL format)

€2,490+ Raised

Ramon Casha Scholarship Fund

The Ramon Casha Fund was set up in 2016 to promote education to the most disadvantaged in society. The key notion being that all those who take interest in their own education should have the ability to do so freely. 

Get Involved

Our Affiliations

Give Today or Become a Member

en_GB