Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/448091
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 18 JANUARY 2015 6 MIRIAM DALLI LABOUR'S deputy leader for party affairs, Toni Abela, is against hunt- ing but he will not vote to ban spring hunting, wary of seeing Malta acting "more Catholic than the Pope". He told Radju Malta's programme Ghandi X'Nghid that the environ- ment was "sacrosanct" for him, cit- ing as an example his having pushed the government to change its policy on development around the Ta' Ha- grat temples. "I am against hunting, including spring hunting. But I hate it when we try to be more Catholic than the Pope," Abela told interviewer An- drew Azzopardi. He argued that he had been one of those who approved Labour's electoral programme, and that the party's promise was for a controlled and disciplined spring hunting sea- son of two weeks. "I always insisted that without discipline, the season should be suspended. And that's what has happened. What I don't like is that our small size makes it possible to achieve an abrogative referendum – meanwhile, in other European countries, they will go on hunting in spring." He insisted that he held no par- ticular sympathy for hunters, but added that it was discriminatory against Maltese hunters that other EU member states could go on hunt- ing. "I say this out of national pride and not because I feel for the hunt- ers," he said. Azzopardi countered that the 11 April referendum was taking place because citizens called for it, to which Abela replied that such a ref- erendum would not have happened in a country like Germany, and that large EU member that repeatedly breached regulations remained "un- touched". "I would be in favour of [banning spring hunting] if the EU had the moral strength to ban it all over Eu- rope. I'd be the first to support it. But I can't stomach Malta always being at the receiving end." Abela repeatedly stated he wished he could vote against hunting but said that he wasn't ready to accept Malta "being more European than the EU" – "It's a Maltese trait hailing from its colonial era… we wanted to be more British than the Brits." Marlene Farrugia is so far the only Labour MP to declare herself in fa- vour of banning spring hunting and will be voting so. Abela said that even if he, as deputy leader, might not always agree with what she says, it was important that everyone is at liberty to say what one feels. News Malta grants its first asylum status to transgender refugee MIRIAM DALLI THE first ever transgender person seeking refugee protection in Malta was granted asylum after requesting the protection of the island's Com- missioner for Refugees. This was the first case in Malta where an individual was granted pro- tection based on gender identity. Protection was granted by the Com- missioner after the case was consid- ered and the individual circumstanc- es of the case were reviewed. Last year, the government amend- ed regulations to the procedural standards in examining applications for refugee status, to include 'gen- der identity' within the definition of a particular social group for asylum purposes. The amendment was in line with two EU directives in which the Euro- pean Union explicitly included pro- tection against discrimination based on gender identity. A 2014 report by the European Un- ion Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) reported that there is a high level of repetitive violence and hate- motivated crime which trans people suffer. According to the 'Being Trans in the European Union' report, the an- nual incidence rate of violence or harassment is around one incident per two trans respondents, which is twice as high as the incidence rates for lesbian, gay and bisexual re- spondents. When Guatemalan transgender woman Fernanda Milan became the first refugee to be granted protection in Denmark because of her gender identity, it only occurred after the Danish authorities were pushed to reopen her case following activism by human rights groups. Milan was granted asylum because she feared persecution in her native country because of her gender identity. It was only after the LGBT Demark provided documentation that her life would be in danger if she returned to Guatemala, that Denmark's refugee appeals board re-opened the case. The status Malta granted to the trans also means that the individual will now be recognised according to the gender identity. Silvan Agius, human rights policy coordinator at the Ministry for So- cial Dialogue, said the enactment of a Gender Identity Bill should protect trans people against discrimination. "The positive outcome in this case shows how important it is for socie- ty to have the right legal framework in place," Agius said. "Trans people continue to be subjected to various hardships in Malta, including em- ployment discrimination and also violence as confirmed by a recent report published by the EU Funda- mental Rights Agency. The passage of the Gender Identity Bill should address this discrimination and pro- tect trans people against breaches of their privacy." The Gender Identity, Gender Ex- pression and Sex Characteristics Act will be proceeding to its second reading in parliament in the coming weeks. Abela against hunting but in favour of Malta's derogation D i r e c t o r G e n e r a l ETC Permit 196/2014 About Us The Malta Statistics Authority (MSA) is the regulatory body established under the Malta Statistics Authority Act XXIV of 2000, and is currently seeking to fill the vacant post of Director General at the National Statistics Office (NSO). The position of Director General is the most senior position in the NSO and will attract an appropriate financial package. Job Purpose The Director General will report to the Malta Statistics Authority Board and is responsible for the management of the NSO, as specified in the Malta Statistics Authority Act of 2000. The NSO is responsible for the provision, on an impartial basis, of quantitative and representative information about the economic, demographic, social and environmental situation in Malta. The Director General's main role is to ensure that the NSO fulfils its role by setting out its strategic vision and providing general direction to its various divisions, while ensuring that statistics are reliable, accurate and timely. The NSO forms part of the European Statistical System (ESS), and the Director General will represent the Office and the Maltese Government in international relations and commitments that relate to official statistics. The successful candidate will be expected to enter into a performance agreement with the relevant Authority and to sign a three-year contract of employment. Minimum Requirements Advanced university degree in the field of statistics, or a closely related numeric discipline, such as demography, economics or mathematics, or in the fields of education or the social sciences, or in the fields of finance, management or ICT, where a substantial part of the studies focuses on applied statistics; At least eight years professional experience in a statistical, numeric or economics-related field, the majority of which in a senior position; A substantial and mature background in administration or management, with a proven track record in motivating and leading teams towards completing planned projects; Excellent writing and verbal communication skills in English, and knowledge of any other official EU language. A detailed job description of this position can be obtained from the Malta Statistics Authority. How to Apply Applicants are requested to submit an application letter accompanied by a detailed curriculum vitae. Daytime contacts and certified copies of academic and professional certificates, transcripts, testimonials, conduct documents and other relevant documents must also be provided. All applications should be delivered by registered post. The envelope should be sealed and clearly marked 'Private and Confidential' and addressed to The Chairman, Malta Statistics Authority, National Statistics Office, Lascaris, Valletta, VLT 2000, Malta. The deadline for receipt of applications is strictly 9th February, 2015. Late applications will not be considered. All applications will be acknowledged after the closing date of applications. The Malta Statistics Act together with a detailed job description, are posted on the MSA website: www.msa.gov.mt MSA Malta Statistics Authority Awtorità tal-Istatistika ta' Malta The status Malta granted to the hardships in Malta, including em- Fernanda Milan, of Guatemala, became the first transgender woman granted protection in Denmark