Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/641079
8 maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 17 FEbruArY 2016 News IN ALL LEADING BOOK SHOPS HISTORY OF ORNITHOLOGY IN MALTA Facebook insults hurled at Metsola after speaking out against xenophobia MiriaM Dalli It is not the first time that politi- cians have faced all sorts of insults when taking strong positions on issues, especially when it comes to migration and the European Union. Nationalist MEP Roberta Met- sola (below) is not new to such attacks, having already been a victim of hate speech after a man wrote on Facebook that he hoped Metsola would be gang-raped by irregular migrants. the Maltese national later claimed his Face- book had been hacked. the latest threat saw a Facebook user, hiding behind a fake 'Save Malta' profile, suggesting that Metsola "be shot" for her com- ments at the European Parlia- ment. Other comments followed, in- cluding further references to rape and assault. "I did not enter politics to say things that everyone will always agree with, I speak my mind and stand up for what I believe in, that has always been my style and I will not change it. I respect criti- cism from anyone no matter how harsh it may be and will happily argue my corner with anyone. "this goes beyond that, it ex- poses a level of intolerance that is worrying. It always impresses me how people spewing hatred from behind their screens think that they can say whatever they like online without any consequenc- es," Metsola told Maltatoday. "this was not the first nor will it be the last of these incidents, but it will not affect my work in any way – on the contra- ry it will only serve to make my convictions stronger." Ironically, Metso- la's speech focused on the impor- tance of respect- ing each other's rights and freedoms, and hatred – being against women, religions or any other minorities – was unac- ceptable. She was reacting to the attacks in Cologne's central train station on New Year's Eve. "there is no cultural excuse for the attacks in Cologne, just like there are no cultural excuses for violence or racism. Who you are or what you believe in shouldn't matter because the message we want to deliver is that everyone has the right to live without fear," she said in a speech last week at the European Parliament. She added that everyone should respect basic values. the comments against her have been condemned by the politi- cians in Malta and aditus founda- tion. Speaker Anglu Farrugia issued a statement deploring the com- ments posted on her Facebook wall, while the Nationalist Party expressed solidarity with its MEP. "No society allows such threats, be it politicians or citizens," the PN said. Aditus Foundation said that the threats were a worrying re- minder of what happens when societies ignore, support or fuel right-wing sentiments and ex- pressions. "It is unacceptable for any person to be attacked in such a manner, and we expect a full and unequivocal condemnation of these threats by the competent authorities," aditus director Neil Falzon said. It noted that discussions on mi- gration are challenging and of- ten trigger deep emotional reac- tions. It is a complex subject that touches upon those elements held so dearly by many persons: iden- tity, religion, security and fam- ily. "Because it is so sensitive and complex, it demands respect for all involved, accurate information on which to base arguments and conclusions and a common un- derstanding that the expression of disagreements is an integral part of democracy," aditus said. "the values of decency, human dignity and fundamental human rights must be at the core of our discussions on migrants and refu- gees, whatever our positions and opinions. Yet hatred, violence, and vulgarity seem to be the only values known to those persons who are unwilling to engage in a more respectful, dignified and constructive manner." Aditus said that such individu- als seek to instil fear in the hope that the debate would scurry away or, worse, that it would be killed. "Aditus foundation supports a more productive expressive free- dom. Often on the receiving end of similar threats, we nonetheless insist on upholding fundamental human rights at all times, and at all costs. We therefore express our solidarity with MEP Metsola and with all persons and institutions who come under vicious fire for their work, opinions and beliefs," Falzon added. "We therefore invite the Maltese authorities and all of society to take a clearer stand against racism and hate speech, in support of a migration discussion that is inclusive, respectful and dig- nified." 165 detention officials watching over only 12 migrants TiM Diacono 165 people are employed as of- ficials at the Safi and Lyster Bar- racks detention centres, despite the fact that the two centres now only house 12 irregular migrants. Home affairs minister Carmelo Abela told PN deputy leader Beppe Fenech Adami in a parliamentary reply that 149 people were em- ployed as detention service offic- ers. A further nine soldiers and seven civilian workers work at the two detention centres. Since the start of the year, Malta ended its practice of automatic de- tention of asylum seekers, and in- troduced alternatives to detention. through the reform, any incom- ing irregular migrants are now ac- commodated, medically screened and processed in a closed recep- tion centre for up to a week, where they are informed of their right to apply for international protec- tion. Here, they are also assessed for vulnerability, and their age is verified. Following this proce- dure, asylum seekers may only be detained if one of the six grounds for detention set out in EU asylum law is met. Vulnerable people will not be detained, and will instead be accommodated in open centres following their release from the re- ception centre. HSBC and MUBE sign collective agreement HSBC Malta and the Malta Union of Bank Employees (MUBE) yester- day announced the signing of a col- lective agreement for the 2014-2018 period. the agreement was signed by HSBC and MUBE representatives in the presence of staff members at the bank's branch in Zejtun. this agreement marks the start of a new chapter in the relations be- tween the Bank and the Union and comes following extensive negotia- tions which were held over the past months. the new collective agreement, which covers all clerical and mana- gerial Bank employees, stipulates wage increases over the term of the deal as well as other financial and non-financial benefits. the proposed package was approved by members of staff during a meeting held recently by the MUBE. HSBC and the MUBE expressed their satisfaction at signing the new agreement and augured that these will help to continue to improve the employees' conditions and rewards whilst sustaining the Bank's per- formance in Malta. "I would like to thank the union and all colleagues for their profes- sionalism during the negotiations. this agreement is a turning point as it enables us to focus on serving our customers and the community in order to grow our business," HSBC Malta's CEO Andrew Beane said. MUBE president William Por- telli said "whilst I thank the efforts made by the new CEO and his team, through this new agreement, MUBE and HSBC can re-establish good in- dustrial relations confirming stabil- ity within its working environment. the agreement offers better work- ing conditions both from a financial and non- financial aspect for all em- ployees." HSBC Malta CEO Andrew Beane (left) and MUBE President William Portelli at HSBC Zejtun branch