Water Leak From Mater Dei Ceiling In Shocking Video

Sep 12 2023

Nationalist MP Ian Vassallo Hagi took to social media to share a video sent to him which shows a water leakage in Mater Dei Hospital as water drops from the ceiling.

The video was reportedly shared over night with MP Vassallo Hagi, with the clip showing staff at the hospital setting up buckets and other materials to absorb the descending water.

Vassallo Hagi wrote in his critique of the situation how the €400 million in the controversial Vitals deal should have been instead applied to fixing issues such as this. The sentiment was also echoed by PN MP Darren Carabott.

What do you make of this?

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Activists Call Out Delayed Justice For El Hiblu 3

Sep 12 2023

“In recent months and years, concerned citizens and advocates for justice have grown increasingly frustrated by the apparent disregard shown by the Attorney General’s office towards letters and statements from the public urging the swift resolution of the El Hiblu case.

This ongoing delay in the pursuit of justice not only undermines the principles upon which our legal system is built but also perpetuates a grave injustice for the young individuals involved.

Amara, Kader, and Abdalla arrived in Malta more than four years ago. Acting as mediators and translators on the El Hiblu, they helped to prevent the unlawful pushback of over 100 people to Libya and to diffuse a tense situation at sea. They were only 15, 16, and 19 years old, respectively.

Rather than celebrate their bravery, the Maltese authorities charged them with several crimes that could lead to life sentences. This case has garnered international attention. This is a testament to the shared belief that Abdalla, Amara, and Kader have not committed any crimes!

The Attorney General’s office has turned a deaf ear to these pleas for action. Despite numerous letters and petitions from concerned citizens, organizations, and experts in the field, there has been no response. This lack of communication and transparency is deeply troubling and raises serious questions about the commitment of the Attorney General’s office to the principles of justice and due process.

The prolonged delay in addressing the El Hiblu case not only deepens their suffering but also erodes public trust in the justice system. It sends a message that some individuals are exempt from the swift and fair treatment that our legal system should provide to all.

Any case, whether it involves Maltese or foreign nationals, needs to be just and fair, rather than utilized as a form of retribution, political signalling and deterrence. This case exposes the intitutionalised racism that plauges our criminal justice system, which is strong with the weak and weak with the strong.

In view of this, Moviment Graffitti calls upon the Attorney General to take the necessary steps to expedite the resolution of the El Hiblu case.

Moviment Graffitti believes that justice delayed is indeed justice denied, and it is time to right this wrong. We call again on the Attorney General to end the uncertainty that these three young men face. It is high time to drop the charges. Free the El Hiblu 3!”

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PN Protest Against Benefits Fraud Racket Outside Parliament

Sep 12 2023

Dubbing the case the Castille Racket, the Nationalist Party and its supporters met outside Malta’s parliament to protest the benefits fraud racket which was recently exposed by Times of Malta.

The Labour Party had turned down a request for an urgent parliamentary meeting over the matter, prompting Opposition leader Bernard Grech to accuse Robert Abela of being ‘a ring-leader of organised crime’.

Earlier this month, Times of Malta revelled that former PL MP Silvio Grixti was involved in a fraudulent severe disability benefits scheme which saw millions of euros handed to ineligible candidates.

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Grech said that only the ‘small-fish’ were being charged whereas those higher up were being protected by the Prime Minister and the police.

The protest was also addressed by deputy leader Alex Perici, who expressed his solidarity with people who truly need social benefits but did not receive them due to such fraudulent handouts.

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Human Rights Conference Discusses Important LGBTIQ+ Themes

Sep 12 2023

Representatives from 50 countries and 148 organisations will participate in a three-day conference focused on various aspects of LGBTIQ+ rights within the broader context of human rights.

This conference, part of EuroPride Valletta 2023, is organised by the Directorate of Human Rights within the Parliamentary Secretariat for Reforms and Equality in collaboration with the Allied Rainbow Communities.

Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms and Equality, Rebecca Buttigieg, emphasised that during this conference, Malta’s experience in the field of LGBTIQ+ rights will serve as a guiding light for other countries in the Mediterranean region, where LGBTIQ+ rights continue to face challenges. She highlighted that Malta’s accomplishments over the past decade have garnered significant recognition, with Malta consistently ranking at the top of the ILGA Rainbow Map for eight consecutive years.

In this conference, attended by three hundred delegates, eleven themes will be explored over three days of discussions. These discussions will include a focus on progress made and the path forward for implementing an equality agenda for the LGBTIQ+ community.

Among the themes to be addressed are sexual health, the challenges faced by LGBTIQ+ individuals when applying for asylum, the role of religion within the LGBTIQ community, inclusion in sports, and the intersectionality of the community itself.

“This conference provides an invaluable opportunity to share experiences and best practices, reinforcing our commitment to achieving greater equality and dismantling prejudice and discrimination,” stated Parliamentary Secretary Rebecca Buttigieg.

Clayton Mercieca, Head of the Unit on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Gender Characteristics within the Directorate for Human Rights, explained that these themes, among others, are of great relevance for both the community and society at large. They will be discussed to further the journey toward equality and justice for the LGBTIQ+ community, not only in Malta but also in countries across the region. He added that the principle and value of equality are fundamental human rights and integral to the United Nations’ goals for sustainable development, which form a universal agenda.

Meanwhile, Michael Owen, representing the Allied Rainbow Communities, highlighted how this conference serves as a vital component of the activities taking place during the ten days of EuroPride in our country.

The conference, being held between September 13 and 15, will feature contributions from academics and activists with extensive experience in addressing fundamental human rights issues from the perspective of the LGBTIQ+ community.

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