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Tag: LGBTI

aditus & Malta Gay Rights Movement applaud today’s MEP statement condemning homophobic laws

The Malta Gay Rights Movement welcomes the position taken by the Maltese MEP’s in support of a resolution to condemn homophobic laws and discrimination in Europe adopted by the European Parliament and supported by all the five mainstream political groups. The MGRM acknowledges the important role played by Simon Busuttil who led the negotiations on behalf of the EPP group to ensure a strong resolution. This was the first of its kind in this legislature to be co-signed by the EPP group.

In today’s resolution, the European Parliament “strongly condemns any discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity”.

The Parliament adopted its official position after a debate on Tuesday, where MEPs almost unanimously asked the European Commission and European governments to better protect the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. The resolution particularly condemns recent laws or proposals in EU countries (Lithuania, Latvia, Hungary) and Council of Europe Member States Russia, Ukraine and Moldova, making it a penal or criminal offence to talk positively about homosexuality in public. The resolution also calls for the mutual recognition of the effects of civil status documents when moving from one member state to another and calls on other member states that have not yet done so to introduce the means for legal recognition of same-sex couples.

The MGRM also praises the participation of David Casa in the video produced by the Intergroup on LGBT Rights on the occasion of the International Day Against Homophobia.

Gabi Calleja, coordinator of the MGRM stated: “We look forward to the adoption of various pieces of legislation currently before parliament.”

Neil Falzon, Director of aditus foundation, added: “Whilst we particularly welcome the appeal for legislation recognising same-sex relationships, we strongly urge this to take the form of full marriage equality.  Anything below full equality falls short of guaranteeing respect for human dignity.”

Press Statement: A major step in Malta’s human rights development

aditus foundation is very happy to welcome the recent announcement by the Minister for Justice, Dialogue and the Family regarding legal amendments broadening hate crimes legislation.  The proposed amendments will extend current legislation to cover crimes based on homophobia, transphobia and other grounds such as disability.

aditus Director Dr. Neil Falzon:  “This is a clear statement condemning acts of violence committed out of discrimination against particularly vulnerable groups.  We are particularly happy to see the inclusion of gender identity as a protected ground, putting Malta at the forefront of recognising and tackling the difficult and often violent situations faced by transgender persons simply because they are perceived to be different.”    

The organisation also welcomes the extension of the remit of the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE), mandating it to formally deal with discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.  This means that NCPE will now include these two important grounds in all of its activities, including research, awareness raising, advocacy and training.  From the perspective of victims of discrimination, these measures guarantee a further source of redress against individuals and agencies discriminating on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity.

“The possibility to seek effective redress for human rights violations is central to the very nature of human rights protection.  We’re looking forward to NCPE’s involvement in these areas in order to better understand the extent of such discrimination in Malta and to devise strategies to combat it, together.”

aditus underlines that these amendments are the result of on-going advocacy efforts by several organisations, and a strong sign of the important role played by non-governmental organisations in the promotion of human rights in Malta.

“We stand ready to support their implementation through training activities targeting governmental officials, police officers and other interested and relevant stakeholders.”

aditus joins other local NGOs to condemn act of violence against a lesbian teenager

The Malta Gay Rights Movement and aditus strongly condemn the act of violence that took place in Hamrun against two young women on Friday 13th January as reported in the Sunday Times and would like to express their solidarity with the victims and their families.

In many countries, such an assault would be investigated as a hate crime but Malta has yet to extend hate crime legislation to include the grounds of homophobia and transphobia.

Violence on lesbian, gay and trans people is not an uncommon occurrence although most incidents do not get reported to the police or featured in newspapers. Trust in the police force is an essential factor in encouraging and enabling LGBT victims to come forward and report such crimes. For this reason, how the police react to this assault, also has an effect on the reporting of other similar incidents. We therefore hope that charges will be brought against the perpetrators and that the assault is treated with the seriousness it deserves.

We would also like to express our concern with regards to allegations made by the mother of the victim with regards to the difficulties and harassment experienced by the daughter in school when her sexual orientation became known, particularly as this seems to have involved inappropriate behaviour by teachers. We urge the Department of Educational Services to investigate such claims and reiterate once again the need to introduce clear policies and guidelines that protect LGBT students and staff from harassment and discrimination based on their sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.

Those LGBT people who have experienced similar incidents or require support are encouraged to contact MGRM on support@maltagayrights.org or call the National Gay Helpline: on 9925 5559.

Gabi Calleja, coordinator of the MGRM stated: “This is a shocking act of violence that continues to affirm the dangers that the LGBT community faces in coming out.”

Neil Falzon, from aditus, added: “We’re further concerned at the girl’s current safety and hope that she is offered adequate protection from revictimisation, including during any criminal investigations and court proceedings.”

aditus participates in ‘Fleeing Homophobia’ conference

aditus Director Dr. Neil Falzon has just returned from the 2-day conference ‘Fleeing Homophobia’, an event organised to launch the publication that brings together months of EU-wide research into the manner EU MS deal with LGBTI asylum-seekers.  aditus was the project’s Malta National Rapporteur.

Joint press statement by aditus & Malta Gay Rights Movement on the correct transposition of the EU Freedom of Movement Directive

The Malta Gay Rights Movement and aditus acknowledge the positive step forward made by the Maltese Government in amending Maltese legislation to correctly reflect the requirements of the EU’s Freedom of Movement Directive although they regret that such a change from obviously discriminatory legislation only came about after infringement proceedings by the European Commission.

With this amendment EU nationals in a relationship with a third country national of the same sex, wishing to move to and reside in Malta should now have their entry facilitated. Being married or in a registered partnership should automatically qualify as a durable relationship duly attested for the purposes of the directive. Where no such formalisation of the relationship exists, other proof might be requested by the local authorities.

This is a step forward although it also creates an anomalous situation whereby relationships of Maltese citizens with a third country national of the same sex enjoy less protection than those of other EU nationals in the same situation moving to Malta. In other words, a South African national in a relationship with a Belgian citizen, would be allowed to enter, reside and work in Malta whereas the same person in a relationship with a Maltese citizen would not.

Gabi Calleja, coordinator of MGRM said: “This amendment is welcome but it in no way replaces the necessity for the introduction of comprehensive legislation recognising same-sex couples. It is regrettable that a number of same-sex couples are forced to leave Malta in order to sustain their relationship each year.” 

aditus Chairperson Dr. Neil Falzon added that “this is a clear example of how European Union membership may also imply strengthening the recognition and enforcement of fundamental human rights.”