Press Release: Date: 21st June, 2012
aditus foundation is extremely happy to welcome the recent amendments brought about to Maltese law in terms of offering better protection to lesbians, gays, and transgender persons living in Malta. The amendments add sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of circumstances aggravating certain types of crimes, and also to the legal mandate of Malta's national equality body, the Nation Council for the Promotion fo Equality (NCPE).
"The authorities are sending clear messages. Violent acts against gays, lesbians or transgender men or women will not be tolerated and will be severely punished. Employers who discriminate on these grounds will now be held accountable and may face serious repurcussions. Of course, the main strenght of these amendments is their potential to prevent these violent acts and discriminatory practices", Dr. Neil Falzon (aditus foundation Director).
These amendments are in many ways a human rights success for all of Malta, since they reaffirm the equal dignity of all persons. They are a success for the united voice of the non-governmental organisations caling for their adoption.
"Ultimatley, they are a tribute to all persons who were and are bullied, beaten, insulted, ostracised and rebuked simply due to their non-conformity to public expectations and norms."
aditus is an independent, voluntary & non-profit organisation established with a view to monitor, act & report on access to fundamental human rights by individuals & groups.
aditus believes in the universality, interdependence & indivisibility of all human rights & strives to promote their rights-based understanding & application. Whereas aditus' focus is Malta, it works towards highlighting the regional & international dimensions of human rights in Malta.
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