LESA To Get Bodycams After Success In Reducing Officer Abuse

Oct 15 2024

The government is considering equipping LESA members with bodycams following a 67% reduction in violence and claims against police since their 2021 introduction.

Home Affairs Minister Camilleri, speaking on a bill proposing harsher penalties for assaulting public officers, emphasised fostering respect for authority while acknowledging occasional misconduct.

He stressed that violence is never justified, and that bodycams protect both officers and citizens by providing transparency.

The bill, part of broader efforts to strengthen law enforcement, increases penalties, including fines and imprisonment, and removes suspended sentences for those convicted. Camilleri also denounced public incitement to disobey the police during protests.

The New Legal Amendments:

Insult, threat, or personal injury offences: Minimum fine increases from €800 to €1,200; maximum from €5,000 to €7,500.

Attack or resistance by one or two people: Prison sentence increases to 1–4 years, fines rise to €6,000–€15,000.

Attack or resistance by three or more people: Prison sentence increases to 1.5–6 years, fines rise to €7,500–€22,500.

Use of a weapon in attack or resistance: Prison sentence increases to 1.5–6 years, fines rise to €12,000–€30,000.

Public violence offences: Prison sentence increases to 3–7 years, fines set at €10,000–€25,000.

Shadow Home Affairs Minister Darren Carabott supported the bill but stressed that harsher penalties alone won’t solve the broader issues facing Malta’s police.

Carabott noted the reduction in police stations and the blurring of roles between community policing and traditional law enforcement, leading to public confusion and decreased respect.

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Prague Bans Organised Pub Crawls

Oct 15 2024

Prague city councillors have banned night-time pub crawls organised by travel agencies to attract “more cultured” tourists.

The city, long popular with British stag parties and pub crawlers, aims to reduce disruptive tourism. Deputy Mayor Zdenek Hrib announced that guided pub tours between 10 pm and 6 am are now prohibited.

Fellow Deputy Mayor Jiri Pospisil emphasised the city’s desire for wealthier, more refined visitors who don’t come solely to drink. Prague has been a global leader in beer consumption, with 128 litres consumed per person in 2023, despite a slight post-pandemic decline.

While beer remains cheap, some local residents and businesses have complained about rowdy pub crawls. Vaclav Starek, head of the Czech Association of Hotels and Restaurants, supported the ban, noting it wouldn’t harm pub sales but would improve the city’s atmosphere.

Prague follows other European cities like Amsterdam, which has launched campaigns discouraging young British tourists from engaging in stag parties and excessive drinking.

Other cities, such as Venice and Barcelona, have also introduced regulations to manage tourism. These measures include limiting tour group sizes and planning to restrict short-term apartment rentals to maintain a balance between local life and tourism.

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Roberta Metsola Receives Austria’s Grand Decoration of Honour

Oct 14 2024

Roberta Metsola, the President of the European Parliament and Maltese MEP, was awarded Austria’s prestigious Grand Decoration of Honour in a ceremony held at Austria’s Parliament. The award, one of the highest national distinctions in Austria, was presented by Wolfgang Sobotka, President of the National Council of Austria, on behalf of the Federal President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen.

In his speech, President Sobotka lauded Metsola for her “tireless dedication, ability to build bridges, and profound humanity,” qualities that make her an outstanding politician. He praised her efforts to deepen cooperation between the European Parliament and national parliaments, enhance the visibility of smaller EU member states, and foster citizen engagement across Europe.

Sobotka added, “Your tireless dedication, ability to build bridges and your profound humanity, make you an outstanding politician. Europe needs individuals like you who fight for the future of our continent with passion and reason. On behalf of the Republic of Austria, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude and admiration.”

The Grand Decoration of Honour has previously been conferred on notable figures such as former European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, former German Chancellors Angela Merkel, Willy Brandt, and Konrad Adenauer, as well as former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. Metsola now joins this prestigious list, recognized for her remarkable leadership and commitment to European integration.

In her acceptance speech, Metsola expressed her gratitude, stating, “It is both a privilege and a responsibility to receive this beautiful award for strengthening European democracy and putting Europe at the service of Austria.” She emphasized the importance of unity and cooperation across Europe, adding, “We must work together, embodying Europe’s values of unity, cooperation, and compromise to make people a little bit safer, fairer, and more prosperous.”

During her visit to Austria, Metsola also met with Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer to discuss ongoing challenges and express solidarity with the victims of recent devastating floods in Austria. In a joint press conference, she praised the volunteers and first responders who risked their lives to aid others during the disaster.

Metsola also took time to visit the Permanent Mission of Malta to the OSCE and UN agencies in Vienna, where she commended the efforts of the Maltese delegation for representing Malta on the international stage and supporting the country’s Chairpersonship of the OSCE.

Metsola’s award marks yet another milestone in her career, reflecting her dedication to promoting European values and cooperation at both national and international levels.

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Public Outrage About The Villa Rosa Project

Oct 14 2024

The Villa Rosa project in St. Julian’s has sparked significant public outrage, with political figures and activists calling for action. Jason Micallef, Chairman of the Valletta Cultural Agency, expressed concern over the development, acknowledging the widespread anger. He emphasized that the issue must be discussed by the Labour Party’s National Executive, stressing that the party’s internal structures should not serve as a “rubber stamp” for questionable decisions.

Micallef stated: “The anger over what has been reported is immense. I will ensure that the issue is discussed within the Labour Party’s National Executive. Our internal structures should never serve as a rubber stamp for strange decisions that hurt communities, such as the people of Pembroke.”

Simultaneously, Moviment Graffitti called for public action, organising a press conference and protest on Saturday, 26th October, at 10:30 a.m. at St. George’s Bay, St. Julian’s. Moviment Graffitti criticized changes to the Local Plans that benefit developer Anton Camilleri “Tal-Franċiż” at the expense of residents.

Their statement read: “Things are going from bad to worse. Changing the Local Plans to accommodate Anton Camilleri at the expense of the Maltese people is totally unacceptable.”

Speakers from the local councils of Pembroke, St. Julian’s, and Swieqi will addressed the public at the event.

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Photo credit: PA