Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/609762
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 2 DECEMBER 2015 TIM DIACONO EQUALITY minister Helena Dalli defended her controversial com- ments condemning women who "play the victim" after "provoking" men into a violent verbal response, insisting that men and women on an equal base of power should ex- pect to be treated equally. She was pressed hard by the media on comments she made in parliament in the wake of a con- troversial decision by the Speaker not to censure Labour MP Joe Debono Grech, when he threat- ened independent MP Marlene Farrugia that he would beat her up. His comments were made in a heated reaction to accusations of corruption by Farrugia, who her- self equated the verbal threat as tantamount to domestic violence. But Dalli claims the reaction, although condemnable, was a tit- for-tat that Farrugia should have expected for her comments in the House. Speaking after a press confer- ence at the Waterbiscuit lounge bar to launch a new campaign against domestic violence, the equality minister dismissed Far- rugia's self-comparisons with vic- tims of domestic violence. She argued that domestic vio- lence is often a power issue, with the person carrying out the vio- lent act wielding more power than the victim. "As two MPs, [Farrugia and Debono Grech] share the same level of power," Dalli said. "If I insult a male MP, I cannot expect him not to respond in a similar manner just because I am a wom- an. "If we truly believe in equality, and that women and men have the same power in parliament, then no MP should expect to be treated any differently because of their gender." She defended her track record in the domestic violence sector, recounting how she was the first person to launch a White Paper on domestic violence during her ten- ure as parliamentary secretary for women's rights during the Labour administration of 1998. "My track record on domestic violence speaks for itself," she said. Social solidarity minister Michael Farrugia had also ad- dressed the campaign launch. When questioned on whether Debono Grech's brief written apol- ogy to the Speaker was enough to excuse him for his outburst, the minister invoked Jesus Christ. "As a Roman Catholic, I believe that people who apologise for their actions should be forgiven. If people refuse to accept their apol- ogy, then that's up to them…" 'Dalli's comments scandalous' – Marlene Farrugia In brief comments on Facebook, Marlene Farrugia criticised Dalli for her "scandalous comments", reiterating her call for her to re- sign her ministerial post. "After her debacle in Parliament last week and this additional out- burst, her position as civil liber- ties minister is no longer tenable," the former Labour MP wrote. "No wonder we haven't come close to truly addressing Malta's problem of domestic violence. White Pa- pers alone will get us nowhere…" News Pre-Publication offer Take advantage now of our pre-publication offer of the book, History of Ornithology in Malta discounted to €40 from €49 (valid until the 15 December) authored by Joe Sultana and John J Borg and published by Birdlife Malta I would like to receive a copy of the book, History of Ornithology in Malta published by Birdlife Malta & AC trading. I am enclosing a cheque of €40 addressed to MediaToday. All books purchased will have to be collected from MediaToday, Vjal ir-Rihan, San Gwann. Name & Surname _______________________ Address _________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Tel ___________________ Email ___________________________________________ Equality minister gets third degree over Debono Grech comments Animal Rights Coalition calls for permanent closure of animal park A group of animal welfare NGOs have called for the permanent closure of the Montekristo ani- mal park, as well as a boycott of all local animal parks, in the wake of an incident that left a three-year-old toddler injured after being pawed by a tiger. The Animal Rights Coalition said in a press statement that the blame for the incident lay with many – the animal handlers for exposing the public to risk, the establishment's owners for hous- ing animals, including some en- dangered species, in inadequate conditions, and the authorities for failing to close down the con- tentious establishment. "We now hope that the zoo is permanently closed and urge that these animals are relo- cated to a safe environment for their protection from human abuse and exploitation. There are genuine conservation parks and wildlife sanctuaries that can accept these animals and give them a better life," the coalition said. While wishing the child in- volved in the incident a full re- covery, the Coalition appealed to parents and the public not to support any establishments with their presence, making the case that those operating outside the law were not likely to take strin- gent health and safety precau- tions. Imposing entrance, dangerous place Equality Minister Helena Dalli