Karl Schembri
@karlschembri.bsky.social
Regional Media Adviser for East & Southern Africa with the Norwegian Refugee Council. Author of novels, poetry and children's books. Former journalist. Executive committee member of PEN Malta.
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2876237.Karl_Schembri
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2876237.Karl_Schembri
Pinned
Karl Schembri
@karlschembri.bsky.social
· Mar 22
These graffiti were drawn by orphaned siblings I met today who just arrived in Al Geneina, Darfur, from Khartoum. They depict the daily horrors they faced in their neighbourhood: fighters, drones, artillery and deadly battles they fled to survive.
My book, Eħlisna mid-Deni, is ready! My publisher, Merlin, has just sent me a video clip of the book, and I can't wait for you all to see it and get a glimpse of what's inside.
Book reading and presentation on 9 November at the Malta Book Festival at 6pm, Readers' Hall.
Book reading and presentation on 9 November at the Malta Book Festival at 6pm, Readers' Hall.
October 29, 2025 at 7:09 AM
My book, Eħlisna mid-Deni, is ready! My publisher, Merlin, has just sent me a video clip of the book, and I can't wait for you all to see it and get a glimpse of what's inside.
Book reading and presentation on 9 November at the Malta Book Festival at 6pm, Readers' Hall.
Book reading and presentation on 9 November at the Malta Book Festival at 6pm, Readers' Hall.
Here's the cover of my new novel in Maltese, Eħlisna mid-Deni (Deliver Us From Evil), to be published on 9 November with Merlin Publishers! Brilliantly designed by Pierre Portelli.
Book reading and Q&A on 9 November, 6pm at the Malta Book Festival, Readers' Hall
#coverreveal
Book reading and Q&A on 9 November, 6pm at the Malta Book Festival, Readers' Hall
#coverreveal
October 22, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Here's the cover of my new novel in Maltese, Eħlisna mid-Deni (Deliver Us From Evil), to be published on 9 November with Merlin Publishers! Brilliantly designed by Pierre Portelli.
Book reading and Q&A on 9 November, 6pm at the Malta Book Festival, Readers' Hall
#coverreveal
Book reading and Q&A on 9 November, 6pm at the Malta Book Festival, Readers' Hall
#coverreveal
Reposted by Karl Schembri
#China: Today, on the 10-year anniversary of the kidnapping of poet, bookseller and PEN member, Gui Minhai, 65 PEN Centres around the world renew our demand for his immediate and unconditional release.
Read our joint statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/china-p...
#FreeGuiMinhai
Read our joint statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/china-p...
#FreeGuiMinhai
PEN International
#China: Today, on the 10-year anniversary of the kidnapping of poet, bookseller and PEN member, Gui Minhai, 65 PEN Centres around the world renew our demand for his immediate and unconditional...
www.facebook.com
October 17, 2025 at 11:32 AM
#China: Today, on the 10-year anniversary of the kidnapping of poet, bookseller and PEN member, Gui Minhai, 65 PEN Centres around the world renew our demand for his immediate and unconditional release.
Read our joint statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/china-p...
#FreeGuiMinhai
Read our joint statement ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/china-p...
#FreeGuiMinhai
Reposted by Karl Schembri
Today marks eight years since #DaphneCaruanaGalizia was attacked for speaking truth to power. She challenged corruption at the highest levels and paid with her life. Her courage and legacy endure. We continue to support her family in their pursuit of justice and accountability.
Eight years ago, we were shaken by a tragedy that had no precedent in Malta. Eight years ago, someone decided to carry out an assassination on a person who chose, instead of living a comfortable life, to risk her own safety in order to expose facts in the public interest
October 16, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Today marks eight years since #DaphneCaruanaGalizia was attacked for speaking truth to power. She challenged corruption at the highest levels and paid with her life. Her courage and legacy endure. We continue to support her family in their pursuit of justice and accountability.
Reposted by Karl Schembri
Eight years ago, we were shaken by a tragedy that had no precedent in Malta. Eight years ago, someone decided to carry out an assassination on a person who chose, instead of living a comfortable life, to risk her own safety in order to expose facts in the public interest
October 15, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Eight years ago, we were shaken by a tragedy that had no precedent in Malta. Eight years ago, someone decided to carry out an assassination on a person who chose, instead of living a comfortable life, to risk her own safety in order to expose facts in the public interest
I’ll be reading from my upcoming novel Eħlisna mid-Deni (Deliver Us from Evil) on Wed 8 Oct, 6 pm at Pembroke Public Library, Malta, weeks before its November release by Merlin Publishers
Join me: www.facebook.com/events/77695...
Join me: www.facebook.com/events/77695...
September 27, 2025 at 8:44 AM
I’ll be reading from my upcoming novel Eħlisna mid-Deni (Deliver Us from Evil) on Wed 8 Oct, 6 pm at Pembroke Public Library, Malta, weeks before its November release by Merlin Publishers
Join me: www.facebook.com/events/77695...
Join me: www.facebook.com/events/77695...
Reposted by Karl Schembri
The latest targeted assassination of Palestinian journalists by Israel in Gaza is horrifying confirmation of a long-standing, genocidal policy aimed at wiping out Palestinian life and culture.
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/...
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/...
Anas al-Sharif among five Al Jazeera staff killed by Israel in Gaza
Al Jazeera staff killed in targeted Israeli attack on a tent housing journalists near al-Shifa Hospital, Gaza City.
www.aljazeera.com
August 12, 2025 at 10:44 AM
The latest targeted assassination of Palestinian journalists by Israel in Gaza is horrifying confirmation of a long-standing, genocidal policy aimed at wiping out Palestinian life and culture.
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/...
www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/...
Reposted by Karl Schembri
To the cartoonist who drew this, well done.
May 18, 2025 at 3:33 AM
To the cartoonist who drew this, well done.
Reposted by Karl Schembri
We joined civil society in marking the Palestinian Nakba and in urging our government and the EU to stop Israel's genocoide of Palestinians
www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/nationa...
www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/nationa...
NGOs mark 77 years since Nakba with march, call for action on Gaza
Organisers say the march honours the Palestinian Nakba and urges Malta and the EU to take immediate action to stop Israel’s crimes against humanity
www.maltatoday.com.mt
May 18, 2025 at 2:09 PM
We joined civil society in marking the Palestinian Nakba and in urging our government and the EU to stop Israel's genocoide of Palestinians
www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/nationa...
www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/nationa...
Reposted by Karl Schembri
Check out PEN Malta's May newsletter – find out more about the Open Mic on Manoel Island, standing up to unchecked development, and how you can raise your voice.
Manoel Island should be for everyone, not for the greedy trying to grab our country with enabling politicians.
Manoel Island should be for everyone, not for the greedy trying to grab our country with enabling politicians.
May 16, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Check out PEN Malta's May newsletter – find out more about the Open Mic on Manoel Island, standing up to unchecked development, and how you can raise your voice.
Manoel Island should be for everyone, not for the greedy trying to grab our country with enabling politicians.
Manoel Island should be for everyone, not for the greedy trying to grab our country with enabling politicians.
Reposted by Karl Schembri
Zainab fled the war with a broken hand and four children.
Khaled walked 17 days with his 3-year-old.
Mariam lost five children in one night.
This is what life looks like for many people in #Sudan right now.
www.nrc.no/feature/2025...
Khaled walked 17 days with his 3-year-old.
Mariam lost five children in one night.
This is what life looks like for many people in #Sudan right now.
www.nrc.no/feature/2025...
May 2, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Zainab fled the war with a broken hand and four children.
Khaled walked 17 days with his 3-year-old.
Mariam lost five children in one night.
This is what life looks like for many people in #Sudan right now.
www.nrc.no/feature/2025...
Khaled walked 17 days with his 3-year-old.
Mariam lost five children in one night.
This is what life looks like for many people in #Sudan right now.
www.nrc.no/feature/2025...
Reposted by Karl Schembri
We are human rights lawyers. Our new report is clear: Israel perpetrates apartheid | Sandra L Babock, Susan M Akram, Thomas Becker and James Cavallaro
We are human rights lawyers. Our new report is clear: Israel perpetrates apartheid | Sandra L Babock, Susan M Akram, Thomas Becker and James Cavallaro
We conclude that Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, including mass killing, arbitrary detention and torture, meets the legal threshold for the term
www.theguardian.com
May 15, 2025 at 12:42 PM
We are human rights lawyers. Our new report is clear: Israel perpetrates apartheid | Sandra L Babock, Susan M Akram, Thomas Becker and James Cavallaro
Reposted by Karl Schembri
Ingħaqad magħna għall-Palk Ħieles f'lejla li tiċċelebra l-libertà tal-espressjoni, il-komunità u l-kreattività fl-arja miftuħa.
Organizzat minn PEN Malta mal-kampanja "Manoel Island: Post Għalina".
- 22 ta’ Mejju 2025
- 6:00 PM
- Manoel Island
Irreġistra hawn:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Organizzat minn PEN Malta mal-kampanja "Manoel Island: Post Għalina".
- 22 ta’ Mejju 2025
- 6:00 PM
- Manoel Island
Irreġistra hawn:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
May 9, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Ingħaqad magħna għall-Palk Ħieles f'lejla li tiċċelebra l-libertà tal-espressjoni, il-komunità u l-kreattività fl-arja miftuħa.
Organizzat minn PEN Malta mal-kampanja "Manoel Island: Post Għalina".
- 22 ta’ Mejju 2025
- 6:00 PM
- Manoel Island
Irreġistra hawn:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Organizzat minn PEN Malta mal-kampanja "Manoel Island: Post Għalina".
- 22 ta’ Mejju 2025
- 6:00 PM
- Manoel Island
Irreġistra hawn:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Reposted by Karl Schembri
#Vietnam: We join @penamerica.bsky.social, Vietnam PEN, @rsf.org , @pressfreedom.bsky.social and others urging the US Secretary of State to support persecuted Vietnamese writers and journalists, including #PhamDoanTrang.
Read our joint letter ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/vietnam...
Read our joint letter ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/vietnam...
Vietnam: PEN International joins letter to US Secretary of State urging support for persecuted writers and journalists — PEN International | Promoting Literature & Defending Freedom of Expression Worl...
7 May 2025: PEN International joins PEN Centres and free press organisations in a letter to Marco Rubio, Secretary of State of the United States Government, urging him to support the release of impris...
www.pen-international.org
May 7, 2025 at 11:19 AM
#Vietnam: We join @penamerica.bsky.social, Vietnam PEN, @rsf.org , @pressfreedom.bsky.social and others urging the US Secretary of State to support persecuted Vietnamese writers and journalists, including #PhamDoanTrang.
Read our joint letter ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/vietnam...
Read our joint letter ⬇️
www.pen-international.org/news/vietnam...
Reposted by Karl Schembri
More than 60,000 malnourished children in South Sudan’s Upper Nile state are at risk as treatment supplies run critically low and resupply efforts are hampered, warn @unicef.org @wfp.org
"We are in danger of simply running out of supplies."
www.unicef.org/press-releas...
"We are in danger of simply running out of supplies."
www.unicef.org/press-releas...
Lifesaving humanitarian supply route cut in South Sudan leaving malnourished children at risk
www.unicef.org
May 8, 2025 at 2:03 PM
More than 60,000 malnourished children in South Sudan’s Upper Nile state are at risk as treatment supplies run critically low and resupply efforts are hampered, warn @unicef.org @wfp.org
"We are in danger of simply running out of supplies."
www.unicef.org/press-releas...
"We are in danger of simply running out of supplies."
www.unicef.org/press-releas...
Reposted by Karl Schembri
1/ PEN Malta stands in solidarity with Gaza and condemns the Maltese government’s refusal to assist the humanitarian vessel Conscience, left stranded following a reported Israeli drone attack.
www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/nationa...
www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/nationa...
Activists urge government to allow Gaza aid ship to dock in Malta after drone attack
Activists are urging the Maltese government to allow the damaged humanitarian vessel Conscience to dock for emergency repairs, following a reported Israeli drone strike near Malta's waters
www.maltatoday.com.mt
May 4, 2025 at 6:31 AM
1/ PEN Malta stands in solidarity with Gaza and condemns the Maltese government’s refusal to assist the humanitarian vessel Conscience, left stranded following a reported Israeli drone attack.
www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/nationa...
www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/nationa...
Reposted by Karl Schembri
Fil-jum Dinji għal-Libertà tal-Istampa nitlobu għall-waqfien tal-impunità ta' min iwettaq krimini kontra l-ġurnalisti.
On World Press Freedom Day we call for the end of impunity for crimes against journalists.
On World Press Freedom Day we call for the end of impunity for crimes against journalists.
May 3, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Fil-jum Dinji għal-Libertà tal-Istampa nitlobu għall-waqfien tal-impunità ta' min iwettaq krimini kontra l-ġurnalisti.
On World Press Freedom Day we call for the end of impunity for crimes against journalists.
On World Press Freedom Day we call for the end of impunity for crimes against journalists.
"The ghosts will be there for a long time."
I spoke to @timesofmalta.bsky.social about what I saw in #Darfur: famine, mass displacement, and the incredible resilience of the Sudanese people.
We cannot turn our backs on them.
timesofmalta.com/article/the-...
I spoke to @timesofmalta.bsky.social about what I saw in #Darfur: famine, mass displacement, and the incredible resilience of the Sudanese people.
We cannot turn our backs on them.
timesofmalta.com/article/the-...
Watch: ‘The ghosts will be there for a long time’ - Maltese aid worker on Sudan
Fifteen million forced to leave their homes amid massacre, mass rape and famine
timesofmalta.com
April 28, 2025 at 7:21 AM
"The ghosts will be there for a long time."
I spoke to @timesofmalta.bsky.social about what I saw in #Darfur: famine, mass displacement, and the incredible resilience of the Sudanese people.
We cannot turn our backs on them.
timesofmalta.com/article/the-...
I spoke to @timesofmalta.bsky.social about what I saw in #Darfur: famine, mass displacement, and the incredible resilience of the Sudanese people.
We cannot turn our backs on them.
timesofmalta.com/article/the-...
Reposted by Karl Schembri
14 million children in need of humanitarian assistance.
5 million children forced to flee their homes.
Meet six orphaned siblings, navigating death and displacement in #Sudan, as they search for safety.
@karlschembri.bsky.social in @theguardian.com:
5 million children forced to flee their homes.
Meet six orphaned siblings, navigating death and displacement in #Sudan, as they search for safety.
@karlschembri.bsky.social in @theguardian.com:
Children of war: six orphans’ 1,000-mile journey across Sudan in search of safety
After dysentery killed their mother and the civil war came to their home in Omdurman, Haroun and his young siblings were forced to set off on an epic quest to reach El Geneina
www.theguardian.com
April 24, 2025 at 1:22 PM
14 million children in need of humanitarian assistance.
5 million children forced to flee their homes.
Meet six orphaned siblings, navigating death and displacement in #Sudan, as they search for safety.
@karlschembri.bsky.social in @theguardian.com:
5 million children forced to flee their homes.
Meet six orphaned siblings, navigating death and displacement in #Sudan, as they search for safety.
@karlschembri.bsky.social in @theguardian.com:
After dysentery killed their mother & the civil war came to their home in Omdurman, Haroun and his young siblings were forced to set off on an epic quest to reach El Geneina, #Sudan.
My piece on today's Guardian about the orphaned children I met in Darfur.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
My piece on today's Guardian about the orphaned children I met in Darfur.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
Children of war: six orphans’ 1,000-mile journey across Sudan in search of safety
After dysentery killed their mother and the civil war came to their home in Omdurman, Haroun and his young siblings were forced to set off on an epic quest to reach El Geneina
www.theguardian.com
April 11, 2025 at 12:56 PM
After dysentery killed their mother & the civil war came to their home in Omdurman, Haroun and his young siblings were forced to set off on an epic quest to reach El Geneina, #Sudan.
My piece on today's Guardian about the orphaned children I met in Darfur.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
My piece on today's Guardian about the orphaned children I met in Darfur.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
Mariam lost her 5 children, her hearing & sight when war hit Al Geneina, #Sudan. “Now I have no one left,” she told me.
@nrc-global.bsky.social NRC's access centre became her only lifeline—until funding cuts threatened to shut it down.
We can’t abandon people like Mariam
www.nrc.no/news/2025/ap...
@nrc-global.bsky.social NRC's access centre became her only lifeline—until funding cuts threatened to shut it down.
We can’t abandon people like Mariam
www.nrc.no/news/2025/ap...
April 10, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Mariam lost her 5 children, her hearing & sight when war hit Al Geneina, #Sudan. “Now I have no one left,” she told me.
@nrc-global.bsky.social NRC's access centre became her only lifeline—until funding cuts threatened to shut it down.
We can’t abandon people like Mariam
www.nrc.no/news/2025/ap...
@nrc-global.bsky.social NRC's access centre became her only lifeline—until funding cuts threatened to shut it down.
We can’t abandon people like Mariam
www.nrc.no/news/2025/ap...
Reposted by Karl Schembri
@stephensackur.bsky.social
"I don’t think at the very senior levels of the #BBC there is an awareness of just how big a show #HARDtalk is around the world.”
So many of us, still shaking our heads in disbelief ...
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/m...
"I don’t think at the very senior levels of the #BBC there is an awareness of just how big a show #HARDtalk is around the world.”
So many of us, still shaking our heads in disbelief ...
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/m...
‘I feel really, really cross at incredibly dumb decisions’: Stephen Sackur on the end of HARDtalk – and leaving the BBC
For 19 years he has held the powerful to account on a show that attracts huge audiences around the world. Now it is over. He discusses his anger with management, his pride in his team – and what he’ll...
www.theguardian.com
March 24, 2025 at 6:00 AM
@stephensackur.bsky.social
"I don’t think at the very senior levels of the #BBC there is an awareness of just how big a show #HARDtalk is around the world.”
So many of us, still shaking our heads in disbelief ...
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/m...
"I don’t think at the very senior levels of the #BBC there is an awareness of just how big a show #HARDtalk is around the world.”
So many of us, still shaking our heads in disbelief ...
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/m...
Reposted by Karl Schembri
Francesca Albanese: Israel, Gaza, and the United Nations (LEADING)
Rory and Alastair are joined by United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories to discuss:
🇮🇹Why the Mafia inspired her to become a lawyer
🇮🇱Why she thinks Netanyahu is breaking the law in the war in Gaza
Rory and Alastair are joined by United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories to discuss:
🇮🇹Why the Mafia inspired her to become a lawyer
🇮🇱Why she thinks Netanyahu is breaking the law in the war in Gaza
March 24, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Francesca Albanese: Israel, Gaza, and the United Nations (LEADING)
Rory and Alastair are joined by United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories to discuss:
🇮🇹Why the Mafia inspired her to become a lawyer
🇮🇱Why she thinks Netanyahu is breaking the law in the war in Gaza
Rory and Alastair are joined by United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories to discuss:
🇮🇹Why the Mafia inspired her to become a lawyer
🇮🇱Why she thinks Netanyahu is breaking the law in the war in Gaza
These graffiti were drawn by orphaned siblings I met today who just arrived in Al Geneina, Darfur, from Khartoum. They depict the daily horrors they faced in their neighbourhood: fighters, drones, artillery and deadly battles they fled to survive.
March 22, 2025 at 2:12 PM
These graffiti were drawn by orphaned siblings I met today who just arrived in Al Geneina, Darfur, from Khartoum. They depict the daily horrors they faced in their neighbourhood: fighters, drones, artillery and deadly battles they fled to survive.