Parliamentary Question on legislation for the recognition of same-sex couples by MP Evarist Bartolo

16.10.2010 by the Malta Gay Rights Movement (MGRM)

A Parliamentary Question asked by Opposition MP Evarist Bartolo received a blunt and dismissive reply by Justice Minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici in Parliament yesterday. MP Bartolo asked when the Maltese Parliament would put forward a clear signal that equal rights to same-sex couples cannot be held back by people hiding behind religious beliefs and prejudice. MP Bartolo mentioned the case of Ireland, where the Irish media recently carried this headline:"Irish politicians have passed a bill granting gay and lesbians couples the right to civil partnerships. The bill passed in the Dail yesterday without a vote and justice minister Dermot Ahern said the move reflected change in Irish society"

The Minister's reply was that what happens in foreign countries should have no effect on Malta, and that Maltese legislation and policies are not drafted based on what takes place abroad.

The full version of the Parliamentary Question is reproduced, in Maltese, below:


Legislatura XI Kategorija ORAL Mistoqsija Numru: 19152 Data: 05/07/2010
Seduta: 258 - 05/10/2010 06:00 PM
Titlu: Repubblika tal-Irlanda

L-Onorevoli EVARIST BARTOLO staqsa lill-Onorevoli CARMELO MIFSUD BONNICI (Ministru tal-Gustizzja u l-Intern):

Peress li fil-bidu ta’ Lulju 2010 l-istampa tar-Repubblika tal-Irlanda rrappurtat li: "Irish politicians have passed a bill granting gay and lesbians couples the right to civil partnerships. The bill passed in the Dail yesterday without a vote and justice minister Dermot Ahern said the move reflected change in Irish society", jista' l-Ministru jghid meta hemm il-hsieb li jitressaq abbozz ta’ ligi simili fil-Parlament Malti u jghaddi wkoll bla vot kif ghadda fir-Repubblika Irlandiza biex ma jkunx hemm min juza r-religjon u l-pregudizzji omofobici biex dawn il-persuni jibqghu mcahhda mid-drittijiet umani shah?

Twegiba:
Ma jidhirlix li l-kejl tal-ligijiet li jghaddu mill-Parlament Malti ghandu jkun jiddependi minn dak li jigri f'Parlamenti barranin.

http://www.maltagayrights.net/PQ_Oct2010