Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/709569
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 31 JULY 2016 26 Letters A shadow report prepared for the Euro- pean Network Against Racism (ENAR) has called for an end to the detention of irregu- lar immigrants and asylum seekers, saying detention was "perpetuating the impres- sion that they (immigrants) constitute a security threat". The report, part of a series of Europe- wide reports on racism in the EU during 2005, deals with the many faces of racism and discrimination in Malta, and brings to light the ban on media from reporting on the conditions in detention camps and the plight of detainees. "Not allowing the media to report… hin- ders them from fulfilling their fundamental role in any democratic society of informing the public and in particular of contribut- ing to dispel xenophobic and racist senti- ments," author Christian Attard wrote. The Malta report also stressed the need for government to balance action in its management of illegal immigration with concrete measures aimed at integration. Attard wrote it was "deeply disappointing" that the most part of the Race Directive, the European law prohibiting racial discrimi- nation in employment, education, social se- curity, health care and access to goods and services, remains unimplemented. According to the Directive, all new mem- ber states have to offer rights of redress to victims of racial discrimination, and estab- lish a body for the promotion of equal treat- ment. "Such a body could play a vital role in pro- viding a remedy for the information deficit that has hampered not only government and local law enforcement and NGOs in assessing the extent of racial violence and discrimination and developing an adequate response, but even the European Union Monitoring Centre." Attard described as "astounding" the fact that some officials were not even aware of the existence of the Race Directive. The author said the only aspect of the Directive that had been implemented in the law con- cerned employment. "These regulations however do not apply to public employ- ment or employment within the disciplines forces. Consequently, no protection exists against discrimination outside of employ- ment." Earlier this year, harsher criminal sanctions were implemented for racially motivated crimes. The report also recommended that police are given the necessary tools and training to address "elements of extremism" in Mal- tese society that were perpetuating racism through hate speech and racist violence. Last week, MaltaToday reported that Sudanese Omar Ezzedin, a resident at the Marsa open centre, had been pushed to the ground by three soldiers, losing his front teeth as a result. The alleged incident hap- pened in Blata l-Bajda in full public view. The Commander of detention services Lieutenant Colonel Brian Gatt said that a representative of a NGO had reported the incident, and that the incident was being investigated. 2005 saw a general increase in racist at- tacks: in May a Somali man was stopped by a woman in the street and then approached by a man who stabbed him and kicked him in the face, stealing his mobile phone. In June, four Eritreans were surrounded by a group of between eight and 10 young men who punched them repeatedly in the face, whereas in another incident a Eritrean was attacked by four men who stole his mobile phone and his Lm200 wage packet. Far-right activities also increased during the year, with flyers threatening migrants with death left outside the Hal Far cen- tre back in July, and a demonstration held by the Alleanza Nazzjonali Repubblikana (ANR) against illegal immigration in which university lecturer Philip Beattie contro- versially called for Malta not to become the "toilet of the Mediterranean". The report also lamented the negative portrayal of immigrations by the left-lean- ing l-orrizont and It-Torca, the newspapers owned by the General Workers Union, which had carried articles about makeshift weapons confiscated from immigrants and "black prostitutes" roaming the streets close to the open centres. Annus horribilis marks Malta's descent to racist depths Send your letters to: The Editor, MaltaToday, MediaToday Ltd. Vjal ir-Rihan, San Gwann SGN 9016 | Fax: (356) 21 385075 E-mail: newsroom@mediatoday.com.mt. Letters to the Editor should be concise. No pen names are accepted. 31 July 2006 What they won't tell you Those who do not believe in sci- ence need not continue reading. This article is aimed at those who value science, logic, responsibility and love. Having an unplanned or unwanted baby, whether it's because of rape, out of wedlock or in marriage or similar relationships, has been with us forever. With or without contraceptives there's always a risk. As women, we experience anxiety and panic at the possibility of an unplanned child. Whether this happens to a teenager in a one- night stand, to a single adult, or to a person in a committed or marital relationship, it is not an easy reality to face. Future plans are disrupted, questions over financial burdens arise, and the fear of facing the responsibility at times alone, can indeed be a source of great emotional and mental stress. Many Maltese mothers do keep the child even when it is hard and inconvenient. As Josephine (not her real name) put it: I am 23 years old. About a year ago I discovered I was pregnant with my third child. I felt my world was crashing around me. I even thought of abortion. But, thank God, I sought help from the Gift of Life and they helped me throughout the whole pregnancy and when the baby was born. They were a pillar of strength for me". Through regular counselling Josephine was able to face her fears and keep the child. Today she is extremely grateful. She matured after this experience, and she is able to hold and love her baby who brings so much more happiness into her life and that of her family. Another NGO, Dar Guzeppa Debono in Gozo, has supported Maltese mothers before, during and after pregnancy for over 30 years. They also involve the wider family and address the male partner too. Yet, the morning-after pill campaigners are promoting a more simple and convenient solution. We all love convenience, don't we? They even try to put our mind at rest that this pill is not abortifacient. Yet, as the sexualhealth.gov.mt puts it, the morning-after pill can be taken any time in the first five days after intercourse. Science teaches that "the development of a human begins with fertilization, a process by which the spermatozoon from the male and the oocyte from the female unite to give rise to a new organism, the zygote." (Sadler, T.W. Langman's Medical Embryology. 7th edition. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins 1995, p. 3). The current Embryo Protection law also states that "'embryo' means the fertilisation of a human egg cell by a human sperm cell which is capable of developing and shall further include each totipotent cell removed from an embryo or otherwise produced, that is assumed to be able to divide and to develop as a human being under the appropriate conditions." So, taken after fertilisation, the morning-after pill can be abortifacient indeed. It could be possible that the whole morning after pill issue has mainly one aim – that of making the public believe that human life starts at implantation and not at fertilization. Could attempting to alter this embryo definition also pave the way for the acceptance of embryo freezing, research on embryos and legally discarding of embryos in their first days of existence? Let us not forget the deeper ramifications of the legalisation of the morning-after pill on the nature of relationships, sexual practices in our society, the way we consider children and in our regard to human life. What message will this law be passing on to our daughters and sons? It will definitely not teach them responsibility. Could this possibly lead to a higher increase in sexually transmitted diseases? The campaign for the morning- after pill is being led in the name of women's rights. However, properly defined, feminism is a philosophy that embraces the basic rights of ALL human beings without exception – without regard to race, religion, sex, size, age, location, disability or parentage. Feminism rejects the use of force to dominate, control or destroy anyone. Founded by Mary Wollstonecraft in England in 1792, decrying the sexual exploitation of women in A Vindication of the Rights of Women, Wollstonecraft also condemned those who would "destroy" the embryo, stating: "Nature, in everything, deserves respect." Let's foster a culture where all children feel welcome, whether they are wanted or whether their conception is a surprise. Let us support NGOs who address the genuine fears and troubles which unplanned pregnancies bring about. Let us keep empowering parents with parenting skills and life-long learning opportunities so that their children can lead happy and healthy lives. May we, as women, have the courage to embrace womanhood in its true totality, even when this means making space for others in our wombs, or in our lives. We urge the authorities to consider the issue and its effects not only on women, but also on embryos in their early stages and on the fabric of society. We urge all people of good will to voice their opinion in this debate. Choosing to remain silent creates a vacuum which is filled by the voices of only one side of the story. Mariella Catania, Martha Fitz, Marisa Gatt, Christine Rossi, Suzanne Vella Address supplied Importance of charities' accountability I am on holiday in Malta and read with interest the account about auditing the accounts of voluntary organisations. Perhaps the situation in Eng- land is an interesting example to consider. All churches and charity organisations come under the regulations of the Charities Commission, which requires full yearly audited ac- counts from each organisation. Charities are also required to have a board of trustees who are legally responsible for the affairs of the charity, with proper minutes of meetings, available for the Charities commission to inspect. As a member of a church council in a Church of England parish, I am personally and legally responsible for what the church (charity) does, includ- ing the correct use of the finances. Any irregular activi- ties could mean that criminal proceedings could be taken against me and the rest of the trustees. It seems to me that the idea of a board of trustees who oversee and provide guidance and wisdom to the workings of a charity can only be a positive input that provides security both to donors to the char- ity and the workers within the charity. It guarantees confidence in the handling, distribution and accounting of any donations received. Your reference to the par- ticular mission in Malta would seem to be the very type of charity that would benefit from an appointed board of trustees. It would be a huge bonus and relief to the present director so that he can have the benefit of a team of people to talk through the work and future direction of the mis- sion. When finances are under pressure it is even more im- portant that charities are seen to be open and accountable. Peter Cole Sussex, UK