Nature Trust (Malta) is becoming very concerned about how things are developing in the Maltese Islands with regard to the lack of consideration being shown to Civil Society in some quarters, in particular the evident lack of respect for their right to voice their concerns on any issue as they deem proper.

Lately the media has featured news of a number of attacks on leading activists working within environmental NGOs simply because they were exercising their personal and social rights to raise concern on environmental issues. The same has been noted in the case of animal rights NGOs some of which have recently ended up embroiled in a legal battle simply because they dared voiced their concern on animal rights issues arising at the moment in the Maltese Islands. It should be noted that, as opposed to persons active in other spheres, NGO members work on a voluntary basis and dedicate their time towards improving the situation in the Maltese islands without any personal gain.

Nature Trust (Malta) feels that in today’s age the right to freedom of expression has become fundamental, and that therefore the unassailable right of NGOs to voice any concerns without fear of reprisal should be respected, especially since Malta has for more than two decades been a party to the European Convention on Fundamental Human Rights under the auspices of the Council of Europe.

Furthermore, NTM is worried that after making a big step forward with the setting up of the Commission for Voluntary Organisations, civil society is now taking two steps back. The reason is mainly the hostile environment which other sectors of society are creating for NGOs. Considering that among the Commission’s intended aims have been the fostering of NGO development and the strengthening of civil society in these Islands, this does not bode well for the Commission’s efficacy in the future.

Consequently, NTM is appealing to the Authorities to safeguard the work of NGOs in our Islands and works towards amending the present legislation, so as to give the Commission more bite and enable it to not only regulate NGOs more efficiently but also and especially to afford them at least some sort of protection against unwarranted attack by self-interested individuals and entities. Until this state of affairs is achieved, no member of an NGO will be able to feel that he or she is living in a truly democratic country.

Nature Trust (Malta)

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