In a press conference held in front of parliament, Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party appealed to all parliamentarians to start debating divorce, especially since the social affairs committee is debating cohabitation. AD announced that it wrote to the social affairs committee of its position. AD also submitted the legislation of two countries with a Catholic heritage, namely Ireland and Italy, which can be used as a starting point for the drafting of a law. The discussions on the introduction of divorce in Malta have now been going on for years.

Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson, said, “Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party – has always stressed upon the importance of legislation on registered partnerships and cohabitation. We are pleased that at last something is being done as regards to cohabitation. But such legislation will not compensate the lack of rights and legislation on other areas which concern basic rights of non-married couples- such as those concerning divorce, siblings living together and LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, transgender) rights respectively.”

“Unfortunately, it therefore seems to be the case that Government’s proposals on cohabitation are more of a political strategy to keep postponing essential reforms on other areas regarding the rights of different types of families.”

“It is very unfortunate that the Nationalist parliamentary group is refusing to read the signs of the times, and is therefore burying its head in the sand on such important issues as divorce. Labour on the other hand, is adopting a ‘catch-all’ approach by trying to please everyone at the same time. It is more than evident that the Labourite proposal for a parliamentary free-vote on divorce will be defeated, due to the opposition of certain Labour MPs.”

“Hence, whilst the PN is shifting the goalposts by discussing cohabitation at the exclusion of other key issues, PL is lacking leadership and vision by conveniently speaking about a free-vote on divorce, whilst not taking decisive action and presenting a draft law immediately. Besides, using Labour’s argument, there should be a free-vote on everything!”

“Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party, on the other hand, is the only party in favour of the legalisation of divorce in Malta. Not only because the Maltese state is already discriminating against Maltese couples who cannot seek divorce overseas (which divorces are recognised by the Maltese state) but, even more so, because divorce is a basic civil right for people who wish to reconstitute family life through re-marriage.”

‘The legalisation of divorce, similar to legislation on other family rights requires political courage. As regards divorce, the plain truth is that some marriages fail. Should a state ignore this reality, thus excluding thousands of citizens from basic civil rights? “

“One should also keep in mind that Government is abdicating from its responsibilities by giving the Catholic Church a monopoly on pre-marriage education, meaning that those who do not wish to have a Catholic marriage are being excluded from any form of education in this regard.”

Yvonne Arqueros Ebejer, AD spokesperson for Civil Rights, said, “Despite the absence of divorce, separation is on the rise in Malta for various reasons, including economic stress and other situational factors, but also due to the fact that people give more value to being happy in their relationships. Divorce gives the possibility to those couples whose marriage has irremediably failed to start a new life, whatever it may be. Many separated persons would simply like to be given another chance to marry. From this perspective, divorce can be seen as being pro-family because it permits couples to regularise their relationships.”

‘The introduction of divorce legislation will not cure all society’s problems but will definitely put an end to the discriminatory state of affairs where only divorce obtained in another country is recognised. Together with the introduction of other measures to strengthen the family unit, divorce legislation will harmonize social and legal anomalies. In a real representative democracy it is the state’s responsibility to provide legal space where all individual citizens can make their choices. One should also note that every nation in the world allows divorce, save for Malta, the Philippines and the Vatican.”

“Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party has full appreciation of the Catholic Church’s role as a legitimate and major voice in Malta’s public sphere. The Church has every right to say it is against divorce and that its followers should abide by its teachings. But, here one must appreciate that in modern secular societies, where respect of civil rights take centre stage, being a Catholic is one identity among others. No one is obliged to divorce but the possibility of divorce should exist as a basic civil right.”

Permalink: AD has appealed that ‘Parliament should debate divorce’