Saturday 28 January 2012

Malta Today: NCPE condemns attack on girl in Hamrun

National Monday 23 January 2012 - 12:47

The National Commission for the Promotion of Equality condemns the violent attack on 16-year old lesbian girl in Hamrun.



MGRM launched an anti-bullying campaign last year.

The National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE) condemned the violent incident that occurred on Friday in Hamrun on the grounds of sexual orientation.

On Friday a 16-year-old lesbian and her girlfriend were attacked by two young men in Ħamrun. The girl was apparently attacked of her sexual orientation.

The commission said "A qualitative study conducted by NCPE, as part of an EU co-funded project VS/2010/0569 - Think Equal, reiterates that being with a same-sex partner and expressing affection in public exposed respondents to unwarranted attention and harassment.

In light of this, NCPE denounces any form of discrimination, harassment or violence and calls for the respect of diversity in society at large to enhance the well-being and inclusion of everyone irrespectively."

The act of violence was also condemned by The Malta Gay Rights Movement (MGRM), human rights organisation Aditus and The Drachma Parents' Group, a support group for parents and relatives of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and trans.

The organisations urged on authorities to extend the current hate crime legislation to include the grounds of homophobia and transphobia.

Gabi Calleja, coordinator of the MGRM said "This is a shocking act of violence that continues to affirm the dangers that the LGBT community faces in coming out."

[Click on the hyperlink above to view the comments on Malta Today's website.]

No comments:

Post a Comment