BirdLife Malta have sent an open letter to the Prime Minister, in the letter BirdLife urges the Prime Minister to take action over the recent series of attacks against volunteers and conservation sites. BirdLife also warn of the possibility of an impending attack on the Ghadira Nature Reserve.
The full text of the letter to the Prime Minister is shown below:
Hon. Prime Minister,
We are writing to draw your attention to the fact that we have just informed the Police Commissioner of information that has been brought to our attention of a possible attack of vandalism at the Ghadira nature reserve. BirdLife Malta is taking the matter seriously in view of the escalation of violence against our volunteers and attacks against conservation sites in recent weeks.
BirdLife Malta is urging you to give the matter the attention it deserves. The lack of action taken so far to apprehend the perpetrators of repeated vandalism and violence is only serving to encourage further attacks, as is evident particularly in Mellieha.
In that area alone, the Foresta 2000 site has been vandalized repeatedly, the latest incident being on 26th April, the Foresta ranger was shot twice in the head on two separate occasions and his farm was also torched. At the Ghadira nature reserve, 375 square metres of vegetation were burnt last year, and oil was thrown onto the site in 2007 causing damage to the habitat and wildlife in the area. And recently last month, one of spring watch camp teams was ambushed and attacked by men throwing huge boulders at their car while wearing camouflage outfits and covering their faces.
It is very hard to understand or accept that in such a small area of the island, law enforcement authorities are unable to identify and prosecute the culprits. This failure has emboldened the criminals to pursue further acts of violence.
We are also demanding that the government address the abject failure of the law enforcement authorities to hold anybody accountable for over 20 attacks, including the torching of three ringers’ cars in Buskett, against our members, volunteers and conservation sites over the last four years. Every single one of these attacks is a crime committed with intent. However not one single individual has been brought to justice. In a country of this size, this is absolutely incomprehensible and utterly inexcusable.
It is no wonder that the attacks have increased in frequency and violence over time. In recent weeks, our organisation has been targeted on an almost daily basis – xenophobic messages and death threats have greeted our volunteers in the field, they have been beaten up, car windows shattered with gun shots.
Finally, BirdLife Malta takes this opportunity to distance itself from the announcement made today by the Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) that it would pay a reward for information leading to the arrest of the five men who attacked CABS’ vehicle last Saturday morning.
BirdLife Malta continues to believe that law enforcement authorities in the country are the only means for justice to be pursued. We, however, also believe that these criminal acts need to be given priority to stem further violence and vandalism.
Yours Faithfully,
Joseph Mangion
President