Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party said today that it appealed to parliament to legislate in the fields of cohabitation and civil unions.
Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson said, “As the only progressive political party in Malta, Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party, is appealing to parliament to legislate both in the field of cohabitation and civil unions. As regards cohabitation, AD believes that persons who live together for an established number of years should have rights and responsibilities towards each other. This counts for various groups including those in a relationship as well as relatives. As regards civil unions, AD believes that same-sex couples should enjoy equal legal rights and not be discriminated against in social and family policies. They should therefore have the right to enter into civil unions that entail equal mutual rights and responsibilities that married different-sex couples are entitled to. In both cases, several EU member states developed legislative models which Malta can adopt.”
Yvonne Arqueros Ebejer, AD Deputy Chairperson and Spokesperson for Civil Rights, said, “Malta is a signatory of the EU charter on the fundamental rights of the EU citizen, which is entrenched in the Lisbon Treaty and which prohibits discrimination on various grounds including sexual orientation, as clearly stated in article 21 of this same charter. This charter is a step forward and is a tool to protect the LGBT community in the 27 member states. AD fully supports the struggle of LGBT persons against discrimination, and, contrary to the PN and PL, we are the only political party in Malta that supports the proposed EU anti-discrimination directive.”
Angele Deguara, AD Spokesperson on Social Policy said, “AD believes that social policy should aim at integrating everyone in society regardless of sex or sexual orientation. LGBT persons still face a number of difficulties in social life which are causing them unnecessary hardship. A modern, pluralistic society should not base its policies on one model of the family but should recognise different family forms and design policies which reflect this reality.”