Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1535434
4 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 16 MAY 2025 NEWS Celebrating a decade of pride and progress in Gozo LGBTI+ Gozo, a dedicated non-governmental organization committed to advocating for the rights and well-being of the LGB- TI+ community in Gozo, is mark- ing its 10th anniversary with a special event. The anniversary will be celebrated on Saturday, 17th May 2025, at the Santa Lucia Bou- tique Hotel in Kerċem, Gozo. The event will bring together activists, community members, allies, and supporters for a day of reflection, discussion, and cele- bration. The anniversary will be- gin with a conference featuring a programme aimed at highlighting the progress made over the past decade, examining the current re- alities of the LGBTI+ community in Gozo, and analysing future ini- tiatives. The programme will include a contextual discussion focused on the lived experiences of LGBTI+ individuals in Gozo, exploring the challenges they face and the work required to build a more inclusive society. A panel discussion will follow, with experts and commu- nity leaders reflecting on the pro- gress made and discussing the fu- ture of LGBTI+ advocacy in Gozo and beyond. The event will conclude with a party, including performances by artists Karmaġenn and Nell, and a screening of the Eurovision Finale. This portion of the event is open to attendees aged 18 and over. This anniversary event aims to highlight how far the LGBTI+ community in Gozo has come and the continued efforts needed to ensure a more inclusive, ac- cepting, and supportive future. LGBTI+ Gozo encourages all community members, allies, and supporters to attend and be part of this celebration. To RSVP, attendees are asked to complete the registration form at the following link: https://docs.google. com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScAhjNe- 8jYiwTJHNtYtoTFtyKT_bJZA2Y- D P H b 1 t B 3 g d Z q s F s g / v i e w - form?usp=share_link. For more information, contact: lgbtigozo@ gmail.com. PN MPs discuss euthanasia: cordial meeting, mixed views Party insiders describe mixed views on assisted dying by Nationalist MPs during parliamentary group meeting held this week • Party expected to issue stance on euthanasia public consultation later this week NATIONALIST MPs within the Opposition's parliamenta- ry group have voiced different views on government's assisted dying public consultation dur- ing meetings held this week. During a parliamentary group meeting held on Wednesday, Nationalist MPs discussed gov- ernment's pubic consultation to introduce assisted dying in the country. In what was described as a "cordial meeting", MPs who spoke to this newspaper under condition of anonymity said different individuals expressed differing views on the matter. Certain MPs like Adrian Delia and Beppe Fenech Adami were adamant the party should be staunchly against the proposal. Others cited the party's statue, saying the party is obliged to protect life from conception to death. The PN statute speaks of a party committed to ensure "everyone grows and enjoys wellbeing, from conception to the last breath… within a fam- ily built on love…". While the reference to "conception" has been historically interpreted as impeding the PN from taking a pro-abortion stance, the ref- erence to "last breath" and not 'natural death' allows for a wid- er interpretation when dealing with issues like assisted dying. On Thursday, in reply to ques- tions by the media following a press conference, Nationalist MP Ivan Bartolo hinted he is against government's proposal. "I am proud to be an MP who works with a party whose stat- ute clearly states that it is pro- life from conception till death," he said. Bartolo went on to say the PN is a "progressive party" because it isn't the "party of death". Also addressing the press con- ference was MP Albert Butti- gieg, who took a more measured approach, saying he is pro-life, but assisted dying is a subject which requires discussion. MP Bernice Bonello replied to questions by saying the PN is discussing the matter inter- nally. Sources within the party said a number of MPs are yet to make up their mind on the issue, with some even floating the idea of a referendum on the subject. "I think there was a general consensus the party should lis- ten more to what experts from different fields are saying," a source within the PN said. Some even floated the idea of a referendum, an idea which some sources within the parlia- mentary group disagreed with when speaking to this newspa- per. An MP who spoke to Malt- aToday said the party must be wary on whether the govern- ment's public consultation is serving as a smokescreen to distract people from the ongo- ing jury trial against four men accused of murdering journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia and lawyer Carmel Chircop. A source from the PN said discussions will continue in the coming days within party structures, and its position on the issue is expected to be made clearer by the end of the week. Last week, government issued a public consultation n volun- tary assisted dying, proposing a tightly regulated framework limited to mentally competent adults suffering from a terminal illness expected to lead to death within six months. The consultation document makes clear that euthanasia will not be available to individuals with disabilities, mental health conditions, age-related illness- es such as dementia, or those experiencing social isolation in care homes. Patients must be over 18, have been resident in Malta for at least 12 months, and must personally request assisted dying. Doctors will be prohibited from suggesting the option to patients. Under the proposed process, a patient requesting assisted dy- ing must undergo assessment by three medical professionals: a specialist in their condition, a psychiatrist, and a verifying doctor. All three must confirm the request is voluntary and meets the legal and medical criteria. If approved, the case is referred to an independent board—including professionals and legal experts—tasked with ensuring compliance and re- porting any suspected abuse. KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt Nationalist Party headquarters (Photo: James Bianchi/MaltaToday)