NGO’s UNION

TERMS OF REFERENCE

NGO’s Together As One Union (NTAOU)

Section of Doninu (Malta) International

1. MISSION

The mission of the NGO’s Together As One Union (NTAOU) is to:

  • Protect and defend NGOs, volunteer groups and individuals against unfair treatment or abuse of power.
  • Monitor public governance practices that affect civil society.
  • Provide ethical, investigative and structural support to those facing intimidation.
  • Safeguard fundamental rights in line with Maltese law, EU law, UN conventions, and international civil society principles.

2. NATURE AND STATUS

  • The NGO’s Together As One Union (NTAOU) is an internal section and not a separate legal entity.
  • It collects no money and operates no funds.
  • It has no bank account.
  • It performs no commercial activity.
  • It functions strictly under the statute and governance of Doninu (Malta) International.

3. CORE FUNCTIONS

1. Investigation and Documentation

  • Receive complaints from NGOs or affected individuals.
  • Document cases of pressure, misuse of authority, or unjust treatment.
  • Prepare internal or public reports.

2. Institutional Intervention

  • Correspond with public entities where necessary.
  • Support escalation of cases to:
    • Ombudsman
    • EU Ombudsman
    • FRA (EU Fundamental Rights Agency)
    • OLAF
    • UN Committees and Special Rapporteurs

3. Whistleblower Protection

  • Ensure confidentiality and security.
  • Protect against retaliation or harassment.

4. NGO Support and Guidance

  • Ethical guidance
  • Assistance in governance issues
  • Preparation of formal complaints
  • Media communication when required

4. STRUCTURE

NGO’s Together As One Union (NTAOU) Leader

Responsible for strategic direction, coordination and representation.

Investigations & Governance Desk

Handles complaints, conducts inquiries and prepares reports.

Communications Desk

Manages public, institutional and NGO communication.

5. LIMITATIONS AND GUARANTEES

  • The NGO’s Together As One Union (NTAOU) cannot engage in any financial activity.
  • It cannot impose sanctions on NGOs or individuals.
  • It does not replace legal counsel but supports documentation and protection efforts.

A. MALTESE LAWS THAT PROTECT YOU

The Constitution of Malta

Provides the strongest protections:

Freedom of Expression (Article 41)

You have the right to publish investigations, reports, and criticism about public officials and government entities.

Freedom of Association (Article 42)

You have the right to create a Union of NGO’s or any section under Doninu without interference from the State.

Protection from Discrimination (Article 45)

No public official may treat Doninu or any NGO unfairly.

Criminal Code of Malta (Chapter 9)

Direct protection against abuse by public officials.

Abuse of Power (Articles 112–115)

Any public official (including commissioners, directors, ministers’ staff, government officers) who:

  • uses their position against you
  • threatens you
  • tries to intimidate your group
  • misuses authority

commits a criminal offence.

Threats and Intimidation (Article 82A)

If any official threatens, pressures, or harasses you or any volunteer, this is a crime.

Obstruction of Justice

No official can interfere with your investigations or reporting.

Whistleblower Protection Act (Chapter 440)

This gives very strong protection for:

  • whistleblowers,
  • journalists,
  • NGOs reporting misconduct,
  • people exposing corruption or abuse.

Protected persons CANNOT be:

  • threatened
  • punished
  • discriminated against
  • intimidated
  • harassed
  • retaliated against

for reporting wrongdoing.

This law directly protects Doninu and the NGO’s Together As One Union (NTAOU).

Standards in Public Life Act (Chapter 551)

Covers all senior officials including:

  • Commissioners
  • Directors-General
  • Permanent Secretaries
  • Chairpersons
  • Heads of public agencies
  • Ministers’ appointees

They are legally prohibited from:

  • abusing authority
  • acting with bias
  • intimidating NGOs
  • interfering in civil society
  • acting with political favouritism
  • retaliating against whistleblowers or journalists

If they do so → They are in breach of this law.

GDPR & Data Protection Act (Chapter 586)

Protects Doninu and its members from:

  • illegal disclosure of personal data
  • leaks of addresses or sensitive information
  • misuse of personal information by a public office
  • harassment using data

Violations can be reported to the Information and Data Protection Commissioner and the European Data Protection Board.

Ombudsman Act (Chapter 460)

Allows you to report:

  • unfair treatment
  • discrimination
  • abuse of power
  • maladministration
  • intimidation
  • illegal decisions

by any public authority in Malta.

The Ombudsman can:

  • investigate
  • issue recommendations
  • force departments to correct their actions
  • declare actions unlawful or abusive

B. EUROPEAN UNION LAWS THAT PROTECT YOU

EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (Legally binding in Malta)

Article 11 – Freedom of Expression

Protects:

  • independent journalism
  • investigations
  • public reports
  • criticism of government agencies
  • reporting abuse or corruption

Article 12 – Freedom of Association

You are free to establish the NGO’s Together As One Union (NTAOU) without interference.

Article 21 – Non-Discrimination

The government cannot retaliate or discriminate against you.

Article 47 – Right to an Effective Remedy

You may escalate complaints to:

  • EU Ombudsman
  • European Court of Justice
  • European Court of Human Rights
  • OLAF
  • FRA (Fundamental Rights Agency)

EU Whistleblower Protection Directive (2019/1937)

Applies directly in Malta.

Gives protection against:

  • retaliation
  • intimidation
  • threats
  • unfair treatment
  • blocking your work
  • harassment
  • data misuse
  • disciplinary action
  • attempts to silence you

Covers all reports relating to:

  • corruption
  • abuse of power
  • misuse of public office
  • discrimination
  • human rights abuses

GDPR (EU Regulation 2016/679)

Provides:

  • complete personal data protection
  • strong penalties for government misuse
  • right to privacy
  • right to complaint at EU level

EU Anti-Corruption Framework

Allows Doninu or the VPU to report any wrongdoing to:

  • OLAF (EU Anti-Fraud Office)
  • EPPO (European Public Prosecutor’s Office)
  • EU Ombudsman

These institutions protect whistleblowers.

C. INTERNATIONAL LAWS THAT PROTECT YOU

UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)

Malta is legally bound to protect:

  • NGOs
  • activists
  • journalists
  • persons with disabilities
  • families
  • whistleblowers

Articles that protect Doninu directly:

Article 16 – Protection from abuse and exploitation

State officials must NOT harm or intimidate organisations supporting vulnerable people.

Article 21 – Freedom of Expression

You have full right to:

  • investigate
  • publish
  • expose wrongdoing
  • defend disabled persons

Article 4 – State obligations

The government must support NGOs, not attack them.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

Key protections:

  • Art. 19 – Freedom of expression
  • Art. 20 – Freedom of assembly and association
  • Art. 12 – Protection from interference, harassment, or unlawful attacks

UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC)

Malta must protect:

  • whistleblowers
  • anti-corruption NGOs
  • investigative journalists

from:

  • retaliation
  • intimidation
  • harassment
  • threats
  • interference

European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)

✔ Article 10 – Freedom of Expression

✔ Article 11 – Freedom of Association

✔ Article 13 – Right to Remedy

✔ Article 8 – Right to Privacy

The European Court of Human Rights can be used if Malta fails to protect you.

D. WHAT ALL THESE LAWS MEAN FOR DONINU & THE NGO’s Together As One Union (NTAOU)

✔ You are LEGALLY protected from any abuse by public officials

✔ No official can intimidate you, threaten you, or interfere in your work

✔ You can expose wrongdoing safely

✔ You can escalate any case to EU or UN bodies

✔ The VPU is 100% legal and protected

✔ You have full protection as journalists and as a civil society organisation

✔ Malta is legally obliged to protect, not attack, NGOs and whistleblowers

✔ Any retaliation from government = illegal and can be prosecuted

Legal Statement

Status of the Legal Statement

Status of the NGO’s Together As One Union (NTAOU)

Section of Doninu (Malta) International

The Volunteer Protection Union (VPU) is hereby declared to be:

  • An internal section of Doninu (Malta) International;
  • Fully and legally subordinate to Doninu (Malta) International;
  • Not an independent legal entity;
  • Not a separate organisation;
  • Not a commercial body;
  • Operating entirely under the name, governance, statute and legal personality of Doninu (Malta) International.

Accordingly:

and a documenting body
within Doninu (Malta) International.

All activities, decisions, communications, investigations, and interventions undertaken by the VPU fall legally under the authority of Doninu (Malta) International.

The VPU cannot hold bank accounts, cannot collect money, and cannot engage in commercial , because it is not a separate organisation.

All official documents, letters, statements, press releases, and reports issued by the NGO’s Together As One Union (NTAOU) must be signed or authorised under Doninu (Malta) International.

The NGO’s Together As One Union (NTAOU) exists solely as a protective, investigative and advocacy section created to support NGOs, volunteers, civil society members, and whistleblowers who suffer:

Abuse of power

Intimidation

Retaliation

Discrimination

Harassment

Bad governance

Unfair administrative decisions

The NGO’s Together As One Union (NTAOU) operates according to:

Maltese Law

EU Law

UN Conventions

European Fundamental Rights standards

Internal statutes of Doninu (Malta) International

The NGO’s Together As One Union (NTAOU) has no voting power outside the structure of Doninu (Malta) International, and cannot override or contradict the leadership or statutes of Doninu (Malta) International.

The NGO’s Together As One Union (NTAOU) acts strictly as:

a support mechanism,

a protection mechanism,

a monitoring mechanism,

Section of Doninu (Malta) International

The NGO’s Together As One Union (NTAOU) is hereby declared to be:

  • An internal section of Doninu (Malta) International;
  • Fully and legally subordinate to Doninu (Malta) International;
  • Not an independent legal entity;
  • Not a separate organisation;
  • Not a commercial body;
  • Operating entirely under the name, governance, statute and legal personality of Doninu (Malta) International.

Accordingly:

  1. All activities, decisions, communications, investigations, and interventions undertaken by the NGO’s Together As One Union (NTAOU)fall legally under the authority of Doninu (Malta) International.
  2. The NGO’s Together As One Union (NTAOU) cannot hold bank accounts, cannot collect money, and cannot engage in commercial or fundraising activity, because it is not a separate organisation.
  3. All official documents, letters, statements, press releases, and reports issued by the NGO’s Together As One Union (NTAOU) must be signed or authorised under Doninu (Malta) International.
  4. The NGO’s Together As One Union (NTAOU) exists solely as a protective, investigative and advocacy section created to support NGOs, volunteers, civil society members, and whistleblowers who suffer:
    • Abuse of power
    • Intimidation
    • Retaliation
    • Discrimination
    • Harassment
    • Bad governance
    • Unfair administrative decisions
  5. The NGO’s Together As One Union (NTAOU) operates according to:
    • Maltese Law
    • EU Law
    • UN Conventions
    • European Fundamental Rights standards
    • Internal statutes of Doninu (Malta) International
  6. The NGO’s Together As One Union (NTAOU) has no voting power outside the structure of Doninu (Malta) International, and cannot override or contradict the leadership or statutes of Doninu (Malta) International.
  7. The NGO’s Together As One Union (NTAOU) acts strictly as:
    • a support mechanism,
    • a protection mechanism,
    • a monitoring mechanism,
    • and a documenting body
      within Doninu (Malta) International.

RESOLUTION UFFIĊJALI

Doninu (Malta) International

Ħolqien tas-Section: NGO’s Together As One Union (NTAOU)

Data: 6 ta’Gunju 2025
Rif: DNI/RES/VPU/2025

Aħna, l-amministrazzjoni ta’ Doninu (Malta) International, wara li kkunsidrajna l-isfidi li jiffaċċjaw ħafna NGOs, gruppi ta’ volontiera u individwi li jaħdmu fil-volontarjat fis-soċjetà ċivili, u wara osservazzjonijiet diretti ta’ pressjoni, intimidazzjoni jew trattament inġust minn entitajiet pubbliċi, niddeċiedu unanimament li noħolqu sezzjoni interna dedikata għall-protezzjoni tagħhom.

Għaldaqstant tiġi approvata b’mod unanimu:

RESOLUTION

Li tiġi mwaqqfa u attivata sezzjoni interna fi ħdan Doninu (Malta) International bl-isem:

NGO’s Together As One Union (NTAOU)

Sezzjoni uffiċjali ta’ Doninu (Malta) International

MANDATE

Din is-sezzjoni għandha tkun:

  • Struttura non-commercial
  • Mingħajr membership fees
  • Mingħajr kontijiet bankarji
  • Mingħajr attività kummerċjali jew finanzjarja
  • Operanti kompletament taħt Doninu (Malta) International

Il-NGO’s Together As One Union (NTAOU) tkun responsabbli biex tipproteġi NGOs, gruppi ta’ volontiera, membri tas-soċjetà ċivili u whistleblowers minn:

  • abbużi ta’ poter,
  • pressjoni politika,
  • intimidazzjoni minn uffiċjali pubbliċi,
  • rappreżalji jew diskriminazzjoni,
  • deċiżjonijiet inġusti jew arbitrarji minn entitajiet tal-Istat.

Id-deċiżjoni tidħol fis-seħħ mill-mument tal-approvazzjoni.

Firmata:

Pierre Calleja
Leader – Doninu (Malta) International