Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1190498
19 LETTERS & EDITORIAL maltatoday | SUNDAY • 8 DECEMBER 2019 Mikiel Galea Letters & Clarifications Hate speech alert: offenders must be prosecuted SOS Malta is alarmed by the authori- ties' apparent tolerance of violent and threatening hate speech in our public spaces, including social media. Despite innumerable instances of criminal hate speech on our streets and our screens, no or sparing action has been taken by any competent au- thorities (including the domestic Hate Crime and Speech Unit) to prosecute any such offensive and criminal behav- iour. SOS Malta condemns such inaction which has contributed to the increas- ingly abusive and wholly unacceptable displays of intolerance, discrimination and even fanaticism. Such reprehensi- ble behaviour erodes and degrades our civil society. Our failure to deal with this overwhelmingly obvious prob- lem (which can only be deliberate in view of the frequency and severity of incidences and the paucity of any cor- responding action) also betrays a dis- turbing loss of our cultural and social values as a nation. The views expressed in such incidences have no place in a modern society. The expression of such views is likely to represent a criminal offence. SOS Malta urges the public to exercise restraint and consid- eration and to rediscover acceptance, tolerance, humanity and charity in our words and deeds. SOS Malta appeals to the authorities to adopt a zero tolerance policy with a view to arresting the recent spate of hate crimes. The State's tolerance of publicly expressed intolerance is unac- ceptable. Prosecute offenders. Now. Claudia Taylor East SOS Malta Stop impunity OVER the last six years, residents have suffered the effect of the developers' absolute free-for-all, since they had the authorities' blessing to operate with total impunity, ignoring laws limit- ing dust and noise levels and workers' safety as well as hours of operation as works continued seven days a week. Streets blocked by construction ve- hicles increased traffic jams and pol- lution and rendered elderly residents prisoners in their own homes. With any semblance of town plan- ning thrown out the window, abusive permits were churned out, destroying heritage buildings and increasing ur- ban congestion with tall buildings in narrow streets, generating more traffic and depriving residents of their right to light and air. Abusers with many serious enforcement notices against them, including top members of the Malta Developers' Association have been rewarded with permit after per- mit in spite of the fact that they have several enforcement notices and non- payment of fines. Public land was lost to speculation as the db ITS project, the AUM in Borm- la and Żonqor, and other similar pro- jects proliferated around Malta, as did construction in ODZ, both with and without permits. Even public amenities such as pavements have been priva- tised for private gain through restau- rants, pubs and bars. FAA maintains that these privatisations and abusive permits should be investigated by the new prime minister, as should the pos- sible link between this rampant specu- lation and money-laundering activities. Under the direction of the OPM, ways were devised to render Local Plans little more than scraps of paper with residential zones being turned in- to tourist, business and entertainment zones. Systems of checks and balances which had been established to prevent conflict of interest were dismantled. Minister Ian Borg defended the most obvious example, the chairperson of the EPC board that issues most of the PA permits. The former Planning Au- thority CEO, who worked in close col- laboration with Castille, used his role to promote developers' interests rather than those of the community. The paralysis gripping several minis- tries and authorities has further aggra- vated the situation as the Environment and Planning Review Tribunal (PA Appeals Board) is now suspended. This is prolonging abusive situations for lack of a verdict on their appeal. Malta has been irrevocably damaged in its reputation, its quality of life, its heritage, landscapes and urban fabric. FAA calls for the culture of greed, corruption and impunity to stop now, before more damage is done. The country cannot afford to wait weeks for the change it so urgently needs right now. Astrid Vella Flimkien ghal-Ambjent Ahjar