Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1025219
maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 12 SEPTEMBER 2018 4 NEWS MINISTRY FOR HEALTH PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARIAT FOR EUROPEAN FUNDS AND SOCIAL DIALOGUE PUBLIC HEALTH IS YOUR GUARANTEE. TAKE PART. NATIONAL SURVEY ON THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH PROJECT PART-FINANCED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 "This is a conscious attempt to hinder the rescue of people in distress in the central Mediter- ranean," the NGO said in a let- ter to the Maltese Prime Minis- ter Joseph Muscat. "We consider [allowing] pow- er dynamics blatantly override the rule of law, [as] a non-toler- able attitude for a constitutional state, and rather shameful." For 70 days, Sea-Watch has re- frained from publicly disclosing the diplomatic steps undertak- en to try to resolve the situation at a political level. But the NGO said it had been shown a lack of consistency from the Mal- tese government, "including an abrupt change in attitude and positioning in its direct com- munications with Sea-Watch." In fact the Sea-Watch 3 re- cently had a class upgrade and an inspection by its flag state upon a Maltese request to as- certain the correct use of the ship, where the Dutch authori- ties concluded that the Sea- Watch 3 fulfills and exceeds safety requirements according to its use. "Sea-Watch engaged directly with you as Prime Minister, who gave false hope to the or- ganisation with regards to a dialogue and the possibility of reaching a solution. "Instead, the government has deliberately halted the agree- ment to let the Sea-Watch 3 leave internal waters, which agreement was reached with the Maltese Ministry of Transport at the end of August. Trans- port Malta in fact authorised Sea-Watch to leave port on the condition, amongst others, not to navigate into Maltese waters unless authorised or instructed to do so. The decision was re- verted a few days later, based on an alleged veto imposed at the highest governmental level." Sea-Watch has now asked a team of lawyers to facilitate written communication with the Maltese Transport Author- ity in an attempt to end the ship's detention in port. "We endeavoured to propose an acceptable compromise, while proving the correct and regular status of our vessel through the necessary docu- mentation and inspections." In its most recent written communication to Sea-Watch, the Transport Authority makes explicit reference to the political situation in Malta and in Libya. "Such political arguments do not mirror the alleged regis- tration issue and again, clearly show the scandalous political nature of the ship's detention," Sea-Watch said. "For every preventable death that occurs at sea, your govern- ment has direct responsibil- ity, which it shall acknowledge and rectify. It is time Maltese decision-makers at highest lev- els, including you, are held to account for their deadly deci- sions." Lifeline case delayed by Dutch authorities Meanwhile, the case of Life- line Captain Claus Peter Reisch remains stalled as the court waits for the Dutch authorities to reply to rogatory letters. The Captain of the migrant rescue vessel was charged earli- er this year with vessel licensing irregularities. As the case was called yes- terday, Magistrate Joe Mifsud noted that the office of the AG had not yet received replies to rogatory letters it had sent to Holland. As had been agreed in a previous sitting the case, this meant that the sitting would be put off for another date. The case will continue on 2 October. Like the Sea-Watch 3, the Lifeline has been detained for 75 days, during which period its crew have claimed that Maltese authorities failed to provide evi- dence of illicit behaviour. The NGO said yesterday that Maltese and European politi- cians, including Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, were guilty of aiding and abetting 380 cases of manslaughter by blocking civilian rescue operations in the Mediterranean Sea. The activists walked through the streets of Valletta before yesterday's sitting, "handcuffed, fake blood on their hands and with masks of various politi- cians who they think are guilty" of migrant deaths. Today marked, they said, two and a half months of disgraceful behaviour by Malta and other European states, which has led to the drowning of more than 380 people since the civil rescue fleet has been detained. The crew of Mission Lifeline claimed that they saved 235 lives during their last rescue mission in the Mediterranean and their captain, Claus-Peter Reisch, is now being accused of operating without the correct ship registration. "All previous investigations have failed to support this claim," they said. "Even after five court hearings, the Maltese prosecution could not present any evidence. This shows how much energy the authorities are putting into de- laying a legal solution to a hu- man rights problem." Mission Lifeline said that they contest this attack as a "shame- less political scapegoating" in response to sea rescue NGOs' highlighting failures in the EU migration priorities and poli- cies. "It is evident that Malta is attempting to make an exam- ple of Mission Lifeline, to keep NGOs from rescue missions", said Richard Brenner from Mis- sion Lifeline. THE famed Maltese ornithol- ogist Joe Sultana has died, at the age of 78. Sultana, an outspoken and passionate defender of the Mal- tese countryside and natural heritage, had been afflicted by illness during the past months. He was the father of BirdLife CEO Mark Sultana. Born in Xaghra to a family of hunters, Sultana was educated at the Gozo Lyceum and St Mi- chael's Training College. After teaching in government schools until 1977, he was appointed managing warden at Villa Psai- gon field study centre, environ- ment office for conservation, environment manager for re- serves, and in 1995 he became principal environment officer. Since 1967, Sultana was secre- tary and later president, up un- til 1987, of the Malta Ornitho- logical Society, now BirdLife. Throughout his career, he was recognised as a foremost expert of avifauna. He was also chairman of Bird- Life International between 1985 and 1992, and chairman of the Naturopa Centre for the Coun- cil of Europe. He also held vari- ous other posts in the interna- tional world of ornithological bodies and scientific consulta- tive committees. He published extensively on birding and ornithology, with his 'Guide to the Birds of Mal- ta' in 1975, and more recently, 'History of Ornithology in Mal- ta' – the first book of its kind to give a comprehensive account of the evolvement of bird study and ornithological literature in Malta. Joe Sultana, environmentalist and ornithologist, dies aged 78 Prime Minister gave false hope of dialogue, Sea-Watch insists Activists in Valletta yesterday wore masks of various politicians who they claim are guilty of migrant deaths