“At a time being described as a ‘victory’ for the Maltese people in the fight against Covid-19, Government is losing its social soul by abdicating its obligations to protect human rights.” Alternattiva Demokratika Deputy Chairperson Mario Mallia, said this in reference to the issue of immigrants left stranded out at sea on tourist boats by the Maltese Government.
Alternattiva Demokratika insists that it is unacceptable for Government to say that it is doing its duty just because it is providing these people with food and boats which are serving as floating prisons.
“A sense of dignity and compassion demands otherwise. While Alternattiva Demokratika reiterates its support for Government in its efforts for responsibility for immigration to be shared by all EU member states, and is itself committed to putting pressure on the European Parliament through the Green Group MEPs in the EP such that all EU member countries shoulder their responsibility, the Maltese Government cannot shirk its responsibilities.”
“The lack of solidarity from other countries can no longer be used by the Maltese Government as an excuse to abdicate its responsibility to offer shelter to these people. The very fact that people are kept imprisoned on tourist boats for weeks is an abdication of the obligations enshrined in international conventions of which Malta is a signatory. Alternattiva Demokratika insists that now that the country’s ports will be reopened, it expects these immigrants to be brought to land. This is what is required of those who have a basic sense of ethical and dignified leadership. Human dignity has fallen victim in the ‘war’ which the country has supposedly won” concluded Mario Mallia.
***
Id-dinjità umana vittma tal-gwerra li suppost irbaħna
“F’mument li qed jiġi deskritt bħala rebħa tal-poplu Malti fil-ġlieda kontra l-Covid-19, il-Gvern qed jitlef ir-ruħ soċjali tiegħu billi jabdika mill-obbligi tiegħu li jħares il-jeddijiet umani”. Dan sostnieh id-Deputat Chairperson ta’ Alternattiva Demokratika Mario Mallia fl-isfond tal-kwistjoni tal-immigranti imħollija mill-Gvern malti bejn sema u ilma għal ġimgħat sħaħ, fuq dgħajjes għat-turisti.
Alternattiva Demokratika tinsisti li mhux aċċettabbli l-Gvern jibqa’ jserraħ il-kuxjenza li dmiru qed jagħmlu għax qed jipprovdi l-ikel u dgħajjes li qed iservu ta’ ħabs għal dawn in-nies.
“Is-sens ta’ dinjità u kompassjoni jitlob mod ieħor. Fl-istess waqt, Alternattiva Demokratika ttenni l-appoġġ tagħha għall-gvern fl-isforzi tiegħu biex ir-responsabbiltà fuq l-immigrazzjoni tinġarr mill-pajjiżi membri tal-UE kollha. Għal dan il-għan, Alternattiva Demokratika qed timpenja ruħha billi tagħmel pressjoni fuq il-Parlament Ewropew permezz tal-grupp tal-partiti Ħodor sabiex il-pajjiżi membri jerfgħu parti mir-responsabbiltà huma wkoll.”
“Fl-istess waqt iżda, in-nuqqas ta’ turija ta’ solidarjetà minn pajjiżi oħra ma tistax tibqa’ tintuża iżjed bħala mezz biex il-Gvern Malti jabdika mir-responsabbiltà li joffri kenn lil dawn il-persuni. Persuni mrekkna fuq dgħajsa għal gimgħat sħaħ huwa daqqa ta’ ħarta għas-sens ta’ soldarjeta` u mpenn lejn il-ħarsien ta’ konvenzjonijiet internazzjonali li tagħhom Malta hija firmatarja. Alternattiva Demokratika ssostni li issa li l-portijiet tal-pajjiż ser jerġgħu jinfetħu, tistenna li dawn il-persuni immigranti jingħataw kenn u jittellgħu l-art. Huwa dan li jitlob minna is-sens ta’ tmexxija etika u dinjituża. Id-dinjità umana vittma tal-gwerra li qed jingħad li rbaħna. Is-sens ta’ dinjità żgur ma rebaħx,” temm jgħid Mario Mallia.