Times: PN and PL ridicule the divorce issue - AD

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100206/local/pn-and-pl-ridicule-the-divorce-issue-ad
Saturday, 6th February 2010 - 17:30CET

The divorce issue is once again being denied the importance it deserves, AD said in a statement.

AD chairman Michael Briguglio said:

"It is crystal clear that despite all 'progressive' rhetoric, Labour will not change anything regarding divorce. If Labour wants to be taken seriously it should clearly insert the right of divorce in its manifesto and promise to introduce this civil right immediately should it form the next government.

"Once again, Labour is trying to please everyone at the same time, to the detriment of citizens who need to divorce to regularize their family situation. The 'progressive and moderate movement' seems to be no more than a slogan of vague rhetoric".

Mr Briguglio said that the Prime Minister's statement also confirmed the PN's anti-divorce stance. The PN was not reading the signs of the times and was burying its head in the sand on such an important issue.

Spokesman on civil rights Yvonne Arqueros Ebejer said that despite the absence of divorce, couples whose relationship failed were still separating.

"What is needed is more inclusive family-friendly policies in all areas. By family we mean all kinds of families - that is people who choose to share their life together and support each other. Society is changing and politicians should respond to these changes.

"The posturing of the PN and PL in this sphere is leading us nowhere. Both of them do not have the vision and the courage to implement truly progressive and long term policies which while supporting families also take into account the new and diverse forms of families in our country. Joseph Muscat and Lawrence Gonzi are choosing to try and please everyone - something which is impossible in life - in their populist race to get just one more vote than the other come next elections."

AD reaffirmed its official party policy in favour of giving all couples in Malta and Gozo the legal means to regularise their relationships in the eyes of the law.

"We do not mince our words: AD is for the introduction of divorce. It should be kept in mind that the state is already discriminating against Maltese couples who cannot seek divorce overseas, which divorce is recognised by the Maltese state."

AD added that it was also clearly and unequivocally for the regularisation of relationships of cohabiting partners and for same-sex partnerships and civil unions.

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