Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1518643
6 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 7 APRIL 2024 NEWS MATTHEW FARRUGIA mfarrugia@mediatoday.com.mt THE majority of those living in Malta agree that individuals suf- fering from incurable conditions should be able to choose to end their life. A survey on euthanasia com- missioned by a relative of someone who died a slow and painful death sheds light on Malta's views on the contro- versial subject. Carried out by market research company Es- primi, the survey seen by Mal- taToday shows that 61.1% of respondents said that individu- als should have the legal right to choose to end their life im- mediately if they are suffering from an incurable condition. Opposition to euthanasia stood at 18.8%, while 20.2% said they were unsure wheth- er the law should afford such a right. Interestingly, the survey shows that a majority in favour of the right to euthanasia is found across all age groups ex- cept the 65 and over cohort. However, perception on eu- thanasia shifted heavily when respondents were quizzed on whether they were personally inclined to use the life-ending procedure if they suffered from a terminal disease. Those who would choose to end their own life immediately to avoid suf- fering accounted for 30.7% of respondents, while those who would prefer to endure the pain and prolong life as much as possible made up 28.1% of respondents. But 41.1% of respondents said that they would be unsure on what action to take if they were facing a terminal illness with severe pain and suffering. Maltese nationals comprised 97.8% of the sample used for the survey, while the rest were foreign nationals living in Mal- ta. The survey polled 500 peo- ple. A slow death is 'a harrowing ex- perience' One woman who spoke to MaltaToday but wished to re- main anonymous described a harrowing experience during Majority agree with euthanasia when The survey shows that a majority in favour of the right to euthanasia is found across all age groups except the 65 and over cohort A number of residents have taken to the street to protest the widespread public encroachment across Malta, with par- ticular focus on Valletta. The protest, which featured NGOs such as Moviment Graffitti and Flimk- ien għal Ambjent Aħjar, seeked to ad- dress obstruction of communal spac- es, disorganisation, illegalities and noise pollution in Maltese localities. The demonstrators also noted that all over the islands, public land is being snatched up by the private sector, re- sulting in tables and chairs on beaches, pavements and squares. The protest was attended by residents coming from all over Malta, including from localities such as St Paul's Bay, Senglea, Sliema and Marsascala. Just this week, PL Vice-Mayor of St Paul's Bay Carlos Zarb expressed his frustration towards the presence of ta- bles and chairs that appeared on Buġib- ba's Perched Beach. Zarb said that the locality's local council requested to see the permits granted to the operator in question in order to see if they are in accordance with the law. The young council mem- ber noted that, "Balance is important, and I'm sorry to say that in this case, the responsible authorities have failed." Addressing those present, independ- ent MEP candidate Arnold Casso- la recalled President Myriam Spiteri Debono's address during her Oath of Office where she had spoken of greed as a disease which is sweeping the nation. During the protest, the capital city itself was described as a city occupied by people whose only interest is them- selves and their pockets, as calls for Valletta's local council to be given the right to veteo permits issued by central authorities were made. ADPD's Chairperson and MEP can- didate Sandra Gauci was also present, where she spoke of the enroachment taking place in St Paul's Bay. Here, she said, the enroachment of beaches and squares mean that people now have to pay to enjoy places which were free to the public, describing the situation as unacceptable. Gauci further stated that this situa- tion is a symptom of state failures with regards to enforcement and the ap- proval of ludicrous permits. Meanwhile, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar's Astrid Vella noted that beach- es have been protected as public spaces since Roman times and that they should be kept public. Vella said that despite politician's speeches on protecting the rights of the elderly and disabled, these people cannot even walk on a pavement without meeting obstructions. She also spoke about plans for devel- opment on Manoel Island, describing the case as symbolic of the public and grab aided by different governments. Those present appealed to both sides of parliament and all local councils to start taking these issues seriously. Residents protest public land grabs