Democracy versus backroom deals: the spring hunting referendum

 

One month ago the required signatures calling for an abrogative spring hunting referendum were submitted to the Electoral Commission. They were received by the Chief Electoral Commissioner himself on 28 March 2014 in the afternoon.

In normal circumstances, today we would be around 13 days into the three month objection period. But the Electoral Commission, hard pressed for lack of staff/resources asked for and obtained permission from Her Excellency the President such that the time allotted to signature vetting was increased by three months.

Whilst I would have preferred the Electoral Commission to deal with the signature vetting expeditiously it is in the interest of transparency that the Commission should have sufficient time to properly vet the signatures. I have no worries, should a proper exercise of signature vetting be carried out.

My worries are of another nature.

The Labour Party in Government, and the Nationalist Party before it, have clearly indicated that they prefer backroom deals when dealing with hunting issues. Now backroom deals are anything but democratic. In fact they are a negation of democracy itself. It is unfortunately the manner through which the hunting lobby has acquired influence over the Parliamentary parties such that over the years we have ended with the current hunting mess.

Yes it is a mess, there is no other word which describes the current state of affairs.

The procedures to call an abrogative referendum are, in the current state of affairs, the only democratic tool left to contest the spring hunting season.

The Labour Party has positioned itself clearly in favour of spring hunting and against the basic principles of biodiversity. The Nationalist Party is still trying to have a foot on each side of the fence. It is as spineless as ever.

Within this context the petition to curtail the referendum rules such that a referendum on spring hunting would be virtually impossible, assumes considerable significance. The proposal being championed by the hunters’ lobby is an affront to the democratic process. As such decisions should be taken in a democratic manner. A referendum in which all those entitled to vote can express themselves on one single issue ( whether they agree or not with the elimination of spring hunting) is the only democratic way in which this matter can be decided. There are no minority rights involved, as hunting is not a right.

Yes: hunting is not a right.

In the coming days, or maybe weeks, we will know whether the Labour Party in Government will give a reply to those who are enquiring about its democratic credentials. Its position on the proposal to curtail the referendum process will be such a reply.

The issue at stake is much more than spring hunting: its either the democratic process or backroom deals.

I will choose the democratic process any time. I am not so sure about the others.

Dmugħ tal-kukkudrilli f’ Ta’ Ħaġrat l-Imġarr

 

L-argumenti dwar l-art viċin it-tempji Ta’ Ħaġrat l-Imġarr li fuqha ħareġ permess ta’ żvilupp huma kollha dmugħ tal-kukkudrilli.

Il-permess ta’ żvilupp ġie ikkonfermat f’dawn il-ġranet b’deċiżjoni mit-Tribunal ta’ Reviżjoni (l-appell) li ikkonferma li meta l-MEPA ħareġet il-permess imxiet mal-policies kurrenti.

Il-mistoqsija li irridu nistaqsu hi waħda sempliċi ħafna. Għaliex seta’ joħroġ dan il-permess ta’ żvilupp fuq art daqshekk viċin it-tempji Ta’ Ħaġrat?

It-tweġiba hi daqstant ieħor sempliċi: dan il-permess seta joħroġ għax l-art ġiet inkluża fil-konfini ta’ l-iżvilupp meta sar il-Pjan Lokali li japplika għall-Imġarr.

U dan il-Pjan Lokali meta sar? Meta ġie approvat, inkomplu nistaqsu? It-tweġiba hi: fl-4 t’Awwissu 2006.

Tafu min kien il-Ministru responsabbli għall-MEPA fl-4 t’Awwissu 2006? George Pullicino.

Huwa Pullicino u ħadd iżjed li għandu jwieġeb u jispjega għaliex l-art ġiet inkluża fil-konfini tal-iżvilupp. Dan il-permess ta’ żvilupp hu parti żgħira mill-kullana ta’ suċċessi tal-ex Onorevoli Ministru.

Deċiżjoni ħażina li ħadd m’hu ser jinsa

Bħalissa ħerġin l-istejjer dwar x’seta ġara biex il-Partit Nazzjonalista wasal għal deċiżjoni li jastjeni fil-votazzjoni finali li saret il-Parlament dwar il-Liġi tal-Unjoni Ċivili bejn koppji tal-istess sess.

Hu ovvju li fil-PN hemm opinjonijiet li jikkuntrastaw. Minn iva sal-le. Min irraġuna b’dan il-mod minħabba dak li jemmen u min għal raġunijiet ta’ strateġija politika.

Jibqa’ l-fatt li d-deċiżjoni tal-Grupp Parlamentari li jastjeni hi deċiżjoni ħażina u l-PN ser ikollu jġorr il-piz politiku ta’ din id-deċiżjoni għal snin twal. Bħalma għamel meta fis-snin 40, meta ivvota kontra d-dritt li l-mara tkun tista’ teżerċita d-dritt tal-vot.

Ħadd m’hu ser jinsa l-posizzjoni politika li ħa l-PN. Fl-aħħar ħadd m’hu ser jiftakar ir-raġunijiet għalfejn il-PN astjena. Imma kulħadd ser jiftakar li fis-siegħa tal-prova l-PN ma kienx hemm, ma ivvutax favur il-Liġi tal-Unjoni Ċivili .

Għax id-drittijiet tal-gays huma drittijiet tal-bniedem ukoll.

AD on Civil Union legislation

 

 

 

PR 14-04-2014 AD welcomes the introduction of civil union legislation; hopes this leads to full equality

 

Angele Deguara, AD representative on the LGBT Consultative Council, said: “As a party that believes in equality and social justice, we are happy that finally gay couples will have similar rights to those of other couples. This is a big step forward for us as a democratic country. We will join other countries which have recognised that gay couples who love each other and want to spend their life together should be protected by law. We hope that this law will pave the way for eventual equality in marriage.”

Prof. Arnold Cassola, AD Chairperson, said: “Alternattiva Demokratika believes that there should not be any discrimination on any basis in Maltese society, including sexual orientation, as stated in the Maltese Constitution and in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union citizen, which has been signed and ratified by the Maltese Government. Today is a historical day for Malta and we are proud to have given our contribution to enhance awareness about equality and social justice. As members of the European Greens, who have been promoting equality for gay couples for many years, we adhere to the same political ideals. We hope that this law will lead to the legal protection of other couples, such as those in cohabiting relationships, as was promised by the political parties.”

 

PR 14-04-2014 AD tilqa’ bi pjaċir l-introduzzjoni tal-liġi tal-unjonijiet civili; tittama li twitti t-triq għal ugwaljanza sħiħa Angele Deguara, rappreżentanta ta’ Alternattiva Demokratika fuq il-Kunsill Konsultattiv dwar l-LGBT, qalet: “Bħala partit li nemmnu fl-ugwaljanza u l-ġustizzja soċjali, aħna kuntenti li l-koppji tal-istess sess fl-aħħar se jkollhom drittijiet bħal koppji oħra. Huwa pass kbir -il quddiem għalina bħala pajjiż demokratiku li ningħaqdu ma’ pajjiżi oħra li wkoll għarfu li koppji tal-istess sess għandu jkollhom protezzjoni mil-liġi bħal koppji oħra li jħobbu lil xulxin u jixtiequ jqattgħu ħajjithom flimkien. Nisperaw li din il-liġi twitti t-triq għal ugwaljanza anke fiż-żwieġ.”

 

Prof. Arnold Cassola, iċ-Chairperson ta’ AD, qal: “Alternattiva Demokratika temmen li m’għandux ikun hemm diskriminazzjoni fis-soċjeta Maltija fuq l-ebda bażi inkluż l-orjentazzjoni sesswali, kif sanċit mill-kostituzzjoni Maltija u miċ-Charter tad-Drittijiet fundamentali taċ-ċittadin tal-Unjoni Ewropea, li tagħha l-Gvern Malti hu firmatarju. Illum huwa jum storiku għal Malta u aħna kburin li tajna l-kontribut tagħna biex ikun hawn iktar kuxjenza dwar  l-ugwaljanza u l-ġustizzja soċjali. Bħala membri tal-Ħodor Ewropej li ilhom snin twal jaħdmu u jippromwovu l-ugwaljanza għall-koppji tal-istess sess, aħna f’dan ir-rigward inħaddnu l-istess politika. Nisperaw li din il-liġi twassal ukoll biex koppji oħra, bħal dawk li jikkoabitaw, ikollhom ir-relazzjoni tagħhom protetta mil-liġi kif kien imwiegħed mill-partiti politiċi.”

Trid li jonqsu d-drittijiet demokratiċi tiegħek ?

Mela issa għandna, jew ser ikollna dalwaqt, żewġ petizzjonijiet.

Tal-ewwel hi petizzjoni favur l-għasafar, biex fir-rebbiegħa dawn ikunu protetti billi tispiċċa darba għal dejjem il-kaċċa fir-rebbiegħa. Il-protezzjoni fir-rebbiegħa hi meħtieġa għax hu f’dan iż-żmien tas-sena li l-għasafar ibejtu. Hu l-iżjed żmien li huma dgħajfa w allura hu l-iżjed żmien li jeħtieġ li jkunu protetti. Din hi l-petizzjoni li ġiet ippreżentata ftit iktar minn ġimgħatejn ilu lill-Kummissjoni Elettorali biex issejjah referendum biex iħassar ir-regolamenti li jippermettu li jkun hawn il-kaċċa fir-rebbiegħa.

Tat-tieni hi petizzjoni li ser titressaq mill-kaċċaturi wara l-21 t’April u li permezz tagħha fi ħsiebhom jinfurmaw lill-Parlament li huma ma jaqblux li d-dritt tar-referendum ikun jistgħa jintuża biex jipproteġi l-għasafar. Jidhirlhom li huma ghandhom id-dritt li joqtlu, anzi huma jsejħulu privileġġ! Skond it-Times din il-petizzjoni iffirmawha ukoll it-tfal.

L-ewwel petizzjoni hi waħda posittiva. Tfittex li tipproteġi l-għasafar. It-tieni waħda hi negattiva. Tfittex li tnaqqas id-dritt tar-referendum. L-uniku dritt ta’ demokrazija diretta li għandna fil-gżejjer Maltin.

L-ewwel petizzjoni titlob li l-votanti kollha jieħdu sehem fid-deċiżjoni dwar jekk għandiex tispiċċa l-kaċċa fir-rebbiegħa. It-tieni petizzjoni titlob lill-Parlament biex inaqqas id-drittijiet demokratiċi li akkwistajna tul is-snin.

Ikun interessanti ħafna x’posizzjoni ser jieħdu l-Membri Parlamentari fuq in-naħa tal-Gvern.

Min minnhom jaqbel li jonqsu d-drittijiet demokratiċi?

Id-demokrazija niġġieldu għaliha kuljum.

Minn Birżebbuġa sal-Isla: r-residenti jeħtieġu l-protezzjoni

Alternattiva Demokratika semgħet l-ilmenti tar-residenti tal-Isla (prinċipalment dawk fi Triq is-Sur) dwar l-istorbju kontinwu pero’ prinċipalment bil-lejl bħala riżultat tal-oil rigs li qed isirulhom tiswijiet fit-Tarżna ta’ Palumbo. Ir-residenti tal-Isla tul Triq is-Sur sal-Ponta tal-Isla qed jgħaddu iljieli sħaħ bla mistrieħ minħabba l-istorbju prinċipalment iġġenerat minn xogħolijiet fuq dawn l-oil rigs.

Min ħa din id-deċiżjoni li jsir dan ix-xogħol mingħajr ma qabel eżamina l-konsegwenzi fuq ir-residenti?

It-Tarżna tul l-istorja  tagħha mhux l-ewwel darba li rritat lir-residenti kemm bi storbju kif ukoll bl-impatt tal-grit blasting.”   Il-fatt li t-Tarżna ta’ Palumbo  tmiss ma żona residenzjali titfa fuqha l-obbligu li tqis sewwa qabel ma tieħu deċiżjonijiet ta’ dawn it-tip. X’inhu jagħmel id-Direttorat tal-Ambjent tal-MEPA biex jipproteġi l-kwalita’ tal-ħajja tar-residenti tal-Isla? Kellu jkun id-Direttorat tal-Ambjent tal-MEPA li jissorvelja u jieħu passi immedjati hekk kif ikun meħtieġ biex ikun provdut ħarsien mit-tniġġiż ikkażat mill-ħsejjes.

Jidher, sfortunatament, li d-Direttorat tal-Ambjent tal-MEPA m’huwiex sensittiv għall-ħtieġijiet tar-residenti. Mhux biss għal dawk tal-Isla. Il-ġimgħa l-oħra rajna kif l-istess Direttorat tal-Ambjent irrakkomanda lill-Bord tal-MEPA biex l-istess attivita ta’ tiswijiet ta’ oil rigs tkun permessa fil-Port ta’ Marsaxlokk, mal-mollijiet tal-Port Ħieles. Għalkemm il-Bord tal-MEPA approva l-permess għal dawn l-attivitajiet fil-Port Ħieles kien ta’ sodisfazzjon li r-rapprezentant tal-għaqdiet ambjentali fuq il-Bord tal-MEPA ingħata l-appoġġ mir-rappreżentanti tal-Parlament fuq dan il-Bord fil-vot kontra dan il-permess.

Alternattiva Demokratika tinnota li l-ġimgħa l-oħra l-Gvern iddisassoċja ruħu mill-permess għat-tiswija tal-oil rigs fil-Port Ħieles. Ikun ferm għaqli kieku l-Gvern jikkommetti ruħu li din it-tip ta’ attivita’ ma issir ħdejn l-ebda żona residenzjali f’Malta jew Għawdex.

Nistennew li l-Gvern jieħu posizzjoni ċara f’qasir żmien għax ir-residenti ta’ kull parti ta’ Malta jeħtieġu din il-protezzjoni. Mhux biss dawk ta’ Birżebbuġa u l-Isla, imma f’kull rokna ta’ dawn il-gżejjer.

The abrogative referendum – a dangerous precedent ?

 

FKNK, the Hunters’ Federation, in a press conference today stated that the request for an abrogative referendum to abolish spring hunting submitted through a petition signed by over 44,000 persons to the Electoral Commission a fortnight ago may set a dangerous precedent.

Dangerous? To whom may I ask?

The answer is quite simple: it endangers the backroom deals between the Hunters’ lobby and the Parliamentary political parties.

The abrogative referendum when held will be considered as a milestone in the political development of Malta:  the contentious issue of spring hunting will be decided upon once and for all, democratically.

The abrogative referendum is a democratic tool which has been available for many years (since 1996) but which unfortunately was left idle for so long.

Ir-riforma tal-MEPA: pass lura

(cartoon ta’ Steve Bonello : http://www.stevebonellocartoons.com)

Wara li teżamina d-dokument ta’ konsultazzjoni ippubblikat mill-Gvern dwar ir-riforma tal-ippjanar għall-użu tal-art intitolat For an Efficient Planning System ma tista’ tasal għall-ebda konkluzjoni ħlief li dan hu pass lura. Iċ-ċokon tal-pajjiż għandu jwassal għal konsolidazzjoni  mhux għal frammentazzjoni tal-funzjonijiet ta’ governanza ambjentali.

Kien ikun iktar għaqli li kieku l-ambjent u l-ippjanar għall-użu tal-art baqgħu t-tnejn fl-istess Awtorita’. Il-konsolidazzjoni f’awtorita’ waħda li seħħet tnax-il sena ilu kienet pass il-quddiem li iżda ma kenitx segwita bl-allokazzjoni ta’ iktar riżorsi għad-Direttorat tal-Ambjent. Il-membri tal-Bord tal-MEPA li nħatru tul is-snin ma kienux kapaċi jagħrfu l-importanza ta’ iktar emfasi fuq ir-responsabbiltajiet ambjentali tal-MEPA. Id-Direttorat tal-Ambjent inħonoq u ma tħalliex jiżviluppa leħnu.

Id-dokument ta’ konsultazzjoni jiffoka fuq l-effiċjenza tal-proċess tal-ippjanar għall-użu tal-art. Taħt dan l-iskop ġeneriku jnaqqas il-protezzjoni għaż-żona barra l-iżvilupp, għall-bini protett  u għaż-żoni protetti.

Sal-lum, bl-emendi tal-2010, zvilupp  bla permess barra miż-żona ta’ żvilupp, jew bdil f’bini protett inkella żvilupp f’zona protetta, ma setax ikun sanzjonat. Dan kien wieħed mill-ftit passi l-quddiem li seħħew fil-passat mhux mertu tal-Gvern ta’ dakinnhar iżda riżultat tal-pressjoni tal-opinjoni pubblika, tas-soċjeta’ ċivili u anke, għax le, mertu ta’ Alternattiva Demokratika. Dawn l-irregolaritajiet issa, f’isem l-effiċjenza,ser ikun possibbli li jkunu regolarizzati. Dan hu pass lura u ser jippremja lil min abbuża u li bl-emendi tal-2010 inqabad fuq sieq waħda.

Id-dokument ta’ konsultazzjoni dwar l-ippjanar jipproponi ukoll li l-iskedar ikun ikkunsidrat mill-ġdid wara 10 snin. Din il-proposta ukoll hi pass lura għax ser isservi biex tinkoraġgixxi n-nuqqas ta’ ħarsien tal-patrimionju tagħna u dan billi taghti tama li min ihares lejn l-iskedar bħala xkiel. Tagħtih tama li b’xi mod ikun jista’ jirranġa hu ukoll.

Id-dokument ta’ konsultazzjoni ftit li xejn jitkellem dwar il-kompozizzjoni tal-Bordijiet tal-Ippjanar. Alternattiva Demokratika, kif anke saħqet fil-manifest elettorali għall-elezzjoni ġenerali tal-2013, jidhrilha li wasal iż-żmien li ma jibqax ikun hemm involviment dirett tal-Membri Parlamentari fit-teħid ta’ deċiżjonijiet tal-ippjanar tal-uzu tal-art. Ir-rwol tal-Parlament permezz tal-kumitati tiegħu għandu jiffoka fuq is-sorveljanza tal-awtorita’, inkluż li jgħarbel il-ħatriet li jagħmel il-Gvern.

Id-dokument ta’ konsultazzjoni dwar l-ippjanar konsistentement ifittex li jħares l-interessi ta’ min irid jiżviluppa l-art iżda fl-ebda parti tiegħu ma jfittex li jħares l-interessi tal-komunita. F’ħafna każi t-tħaffif u l-għaġġla tal-proċess tal-ħruġ tal-permessi ta’ żvilupp ser ifisser inqas ħarsien  għad-drittijiet ta’ terzi u għall-ħarsien tal-ispazji pubbliċi, ta’ bini skedat u żoni protetti.

Għaldaqstant, meta wieħed iħares b’mod komplessiv lejn id-dokument ta’ konsultazzjoni huwa ċar li l-proposta tal-Gvern hi pass lura.

Oil rigs f’Birżebbuġa: Gvern li jipprova jgħaddik biż-żmien

Mela l-gvern sema’ l-karba tal-poplu ta’ Birżebbuga dwar it-trasformazzjoni tal-Port Ħieles f’Tarżna żgħira. Jekk dan hu hekk tajjeb hafna.

Imma eżattament il-Gvern x’qiegħed jgħid?

L-istqarrija sħiħa tal-Gvern tgħid hekk:

Il-Gvern se jappella mid-deċiżjoni tal-MEPA dwar manutenzjoni fil-Freeport Il-Gvern ma jaqbilx u qed joġġezzjona għall-ħruġ ta’ permess sabiex fil-Freeport isiru operazzjonijiet ta’ manutenzjoni ta’ riggijiet taż-żejt għal perjodu ta’ sena.   Il-pożizzjoni tal-Gvern hija riflessa mill-vot kontra tar-rappreżentant tal-Prim Ministru fuq il-board tal-MEPA, l-Avukat Joseph Sammut. Il-Gvern, għalhekk inkariga lill-Uffiċċju tal-Avukat Generali sabiex minn issa, jekk tali permess joħroġ, jappella kontra dan il-permess. Permessi simili ħarġu fil-passat għal żmien qasir biex isiru xogħlijiet fuq proġetti speċifiċi ħafna. Il-Gvern ma jaqbilx li din is-sistema tiġi mibdula u li l-Freeport jingħata permess miftuħ għal dawn ix-xogħlijiet.

Aqraw sewwa dak li tgħid l-istqarrija. L-ewwel net din tgħid li l-Gvern ma jaqbilx li ħareġ permess għal perjodu ta’ sena. Imbagħad jgħid li fil-passat ħarġu permessi għal żmien qasir u li l-Gvern ma jaqbilx li din is-sistema tiġi mibdula.

Dan kollu jfisser illi m’hu veru xejn li l-Gvern sema’ dak li qed jgħidu n-nies ta’ Birżebbuġa. Pjuttost li jrid jgħaddihom biż-żmien għax jippreferi li joħroġ permess għal żmien qasir.

Issa jekk il-permess joħroġ għal żmien qasir jew għal żmien twil fil-prattika x’differenza hemm?

Gvern li jisma? Pjuttost Gvern li jipprova jgħaddik biż-żmien!

 

 

Abolish spring hunting

Spring hunting has been a contentious issue for many years in the Maltese Islands. Throughout the years both the Labour Party and the Nationalist Party have sought to deal with spring hunting through backroom deals with organisations representing the hunting community. Time and again promises to uphold hunters’ privileges have been made by both the Labour Party and the Nationalist Party.

Only one political party in Malta, Alternattiva Demokratika-The Green Party, expressed itself clearly and unequivocally against spring hunting. The others boot-licked their way through imaginary exceptions and ineffective enforcement measures.

The current state of affairs is the direct result of government policies which have repeatedly ignored Malta’s obligations. Unfortunately even the Environment Directorate General of the European Union has proven itself to be ineffective in enforcing the provisions of the Birds’ Directive in Malta. Hence the only practical solution to tackle spring hunting is for the Maltese electorate to decide the matter itself as is provided for in the Referenda Act.

The Coalition for the Abolition of Spring Hunting is composed of Ramblers Association of Malta, Nature Trust (Malta), Movement of Organic Agriculture in Malta (MOAM), Moviment Graffiti , International Animal Rescue Malta, Greenhouse Malta, Gaia Foundation,Friends of the Earth Malta, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA), Din l-Art Ħelwa,Coalition for Animal Rights, Birdlife Malta and Alternattiva Demokratika. It was formed some eight months ago for one specific purpose: the abolition of spring hunting at the earliest possible date.

Last week, the Coalition submitted a petition to the Electoral Commission calling for an abrogative referendum to end spring hunting on the Maltese islands. The signatures to the petition had to exceed 10% of the registered voters in the latest electoral register, that is 33,418 signatures were required as a minimum.

44,376 persons signed the referendum petition making it the first ever submitted petition requesting an abrogative referendum in the Maltese islands since the Referenda Act was amended in 1996 to introduce the right to call an abrogative referendum.  Those who signed the petition have considered it their duty to respond to the Coalition’s invitation because they care. They care about the birds and they care about Malta. They deserve everybody’s appreciation as their commitment is sending one clear message: that voters can decide on spring hunting and in so doing they will clear the mess created by the parliamentary political parties.

This is an historic moment, very important for the protection of biodiversity but also of paramount significance in the development of democracy in the Maltese islands. It was not easy to achieve and cannot be underestimated.

There are various reasons which have motivated voters to sign the petition calling for a referendum to abolish spring hunting.

Spring is breeding time for birds which fly over the Maltese islands on their way back to mainland Europe. Signatories to the referendum petition believe that birds should be able to fly safely over Malta on the way to their breeding grounds.

During the spring hunting season, when nature is at its best, people do not feel at ease in the Maltese countryside as they consider themselves to be under the constant threat of hunters, few in number but convinced just the same that they have a free hand. Access to the countryside during spring is further hampered by public footpaths which are closed to the public so as to facilitate the free access of hunters. The aggressiveness of some hunters has given all their colleagues a bad name.

Spring is a very special time of year when the Maltese countryside invites all to appreciate its abundance of life and colour. Those who have signed the petition feel that they are being impeded from enjoying nature’s gifts. Furthermore, hunting in spring definitely has a negative impact on birds which breed or can breed in the Maltese islands.

A large number of the signatories of the petition believe that the deals (both secret and the not so secret) that the hunting lobby has signed with successive governments to gain more privileges is not how a modern democracy should function. They believe that governments should work in the common interest. This has not been the case so far and the only solution is the utilisation of the referendum as a decision tool. It is only the referendum which will settle matters once and for all.

These birds flying through our airspace in spring do not belong to us. Other countries dedicate a lot of time and resources to ensure that these birds are adequately protected, only to be blasted when they fly through Malta.

We now await the Electoral Commission to verify the petition signatures and hand over the process to the Constitutional Court. This will enable all of the Maltese voters to finally have their voice heard on spring hunting so it can be stopped on these islands once and for all.

 

published in The Times of Malta, Saturday April 5, 2014