Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party, said that the Libyan experience showed that Malta needs a rethink in aspects of its foreign policy, especially in relation to human rights, social justice and environmental justice.
Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson, said: “The Libyan experience should serve as an eye opener with regards to the servilism of the Nationalist Government and the Labour opposition towards brutal regimes. Labour, in particular, did not pronounce a word of condemnation against Gaddafi before he was clearly defeated. Whilst the Gaddafi brutal regime refused to sign the Geneva Convention and blatantly disregarded global norms regarding human rights, different Governments saw no problem in having a privileged partnership with Libya. Whilst AD and various NGOs frequently showed their concern on the brutality of the Gaddafi regime, others frequently boasted of their good relationship with the dictator. Now that the PN and PL have joined AD in denouncing the Gaddafi regime, it is time for a rethink of Malta’s foreign policy, especially in relation to areas such as human rights, democracy, environment, peace and economic affairs. The Government should also support calls for solidarity with democratic forces of opposition to such regimes”.
Ralph Cassar, AD General Secretary, said: “An ethical foreign policy demands that trade respects human rights, social justice and environmental justice. For example, the Maltese Government should take a more pro-active role on issues such as nuclear energy at our doorstep. In the recent past, the Nationalist Government and the Labour Party both remained silent on dangerous deals
by Sarkozy and Berlusconi to sell nuclear technology to Gaddafi. One shudders to think what would have happened if Gaddafi had nuclear technology in his hands”.
Robert Callus, AD spokesperson for Migration and Citizenship, said: “As regards the immigration aspect of Malta’s foreign policy, Malta’s Government, with the support of Labour, should stop turning a blind eye on human rights abuses, as was the case when, for example, the Government agreed with Berlusconi’s invitation to give extortion money to Gaddafi for keeping immigrants in inhumane conditions. Malta should now exert necessary pressure for a humane immigration processe in partnership with the EU, free from blackmail. As regards Libya, it is also an imperative that Malta actively supports the UNHCR so that it can be allowed back in Libya and work in a safe environment”.
AD: “Il-politika barranija ghandha tkun etika”
L-Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party, qalet li l-esperjenza tal-Libja uriet li Malta ghandha bzonn tirrevedi l-politika barranija taghha, specjalment fejn jidhlu drittijiet umani, gustizzja socjali u gustizzja ambjentali.
Michael Briguglio, ic-Chairperson tal-AD, qal: “L-esperjenza Libjana ghandha tifthilna ghajnejna ghas-servilizmu kemm tal-Gvern Nazzjonalista kif ukoll tal-oppozizzjoni Laburista lejn hakkiema brutali. Il-Labour b’mod partikolari ma qalx kelma wahda ta’ kundanna kontra Gaddafi qabel ma kien car li dan gie meghlub. Filwaqt li r-regim brutali ta’ Gaddafi irrifjuta li jiffirma l-Konvenzjoni ta’ Ginevra, u injora sfaccatament in-normi dinjija dwar id-drittijiet umani, Gvernijiet differenti ma kellhom l-ebda problema li jkollhom ftehim privileggat mal-Libja.
Filwaqt li l-AD u diversi NGOs ta’ spiss kienu jesprimu t-thassib taghhom dwar il-brutalita’ tar-regim ta’ Gaddafi, ohrajn kienu ta’ spiss jiftahru dwar ir-relazzjoni tajba li ghandhom mad-dittatur. Issa li l-PN u l-PL inghaqdu mal-AD fil-kritika taghhom tar-regim ta’ Gaddafi, wasal iz-zmien biex issir revizjoni tal-politika barranija ta’ Malta, specjalment fejn jidhlu drittijiet umani, demokrazija, ambjent, paci u affarijiet ekonomici. Il-Gvern ghandu wkoll jappogga sejhiet ghal solidarjeta ma’ forzi demokratici li qed jopponu lil dawn ir-regimi”.
Ralph Cassar, is-Segretarju Generali tal-AD, qal: “Politika barranija etika tesigi li l-kummerc jirrispetta d-drittijiet umani flimkien mal-gustizzja socjali u ambjentali. Per ezempju, il-Gvern Malti ghandu jiehu rwol aktar pro-attiv fuq kwistjonijiet bhall-energija nukleari fuq l-ghatba tal-bieb taghna. Fil-passat ricenti kemm il-Gvern Nazzjonalista kif ukoll il-Partit Laburista it-tnejn baqghu siekta dwar it-trattati perikoluzi li ghamlu Sarkozy u Berlusconi biex ibieghu teknologija nukleari lil Gaddafi. Lanqas nahsbu ma rridu x’kien jigri kieku Gaddafi kellu energija nukleari f’idejh”.
Robert Callus, il-kelliem tal-AD ghall-Migrazzjoni u Cittadinanza, qal: “Rigward l-aspett tal-immigrazzjoni fil-politika barranija ta’ Malta, il-Gvern Malti, bl-appogg tal-Labour jehtieg li ma jibqax izomm ghajnejh maghluqin ghall-abbuzi tad-drittijiet umani, bhal ma gara, per ezempju, meta l-Gvern qabel ma’ Berlusconi li Gaddafi jinghata flus b’rikatt biex izomm immigranti f’kundizzjonijiet inumani f’pajjizu. Malta issa trid taghmel il-pressjoni mehtiega biex jidhol fis-sehh process li jirrispetta d-dinjita’ tal-bniedem bi shab mal-UE, hieles mir-rikatt. Rigward il-Libja, huwa importanti wkoll li Malta taghti l-appogg taghha lill-UNHCR biex din tkun tista’ terga tibda tahdem fil-Libja f’ambjent hieles mill-periklu”.
