The Nationalist Party has released a document outlining the implications of a proposed bill called “The Right to the Environment,” which aims to establish environmental protection as a fundamental human right for the people of Malta.
Following the conclusion of the public consultation period and the endorsement of the PN parliamentary group, the party presented this bill, intending to amend Malta’s constitution, in Parliament last week. MPs Darren Carabott, Janice Chetcuti, and Stanley Zammit announced the document’s publication during a press conference on Wednesday.
Carabott emphasized that extensive research has gone into this proposal, and experiences from other countries with similar legislation have demonstrated its positive impact. The amendment specifically addresses chapter four of the constitution, which Carabott identified as the only enforceable chapter within it.
Currently, Maltese citizens do not possess the inherent right to a clean and sustainable environment.
Consequently, Carabott stated that this bill would grant individuals the power to advocate for this right. Carabott explained that the proposed bill introduces a comprehensive definition of the environment, encompassing Malta’s towns and villages.
If this fundamental right is violated, the bill empowers citizens and non-governmental organizations to take action against the responsible government. Carabott further emphasized that it would empower the courts to adjudicate such cases. Carabott clarified that although there exists an international agreement among countries to maintain a clean environment, it does not explicitly confer this right to individual citizens. Consequently, as it stands, citizens in Malta still lack the right to a clean environment.
Chetcuti stressed the significance of considering future generations’ welfare by ensuring a healthy environment for them. Despite some loss of Malta’s natural surroundings, Chetcuti expressed optimism about the potential for preservation. She also highlighted everyday issues like traffic, air and noise pollution, and respiratory problems, explaining how this bill would enable citizens to address these concerns.
During Zammit’s speech, he underscored the role of Malta’s planning system in the deterioration of the environment. Zammit emphasized the PN’s objective of adopting a more comprehensive planning system that prioritizes environmental preservation, rather than solely focusing on permit approvals.
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