The following is a transcript of the statement by the women protesting in Castille now.
#occupyjustice statement
We are an ever-increasing non-partisan group of women from all walks of life. We are concerned for our future and that of our children. This is not the Malta we recognise, not the Malta we want to leave to them. The horrendous assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia has exposed beyond doubt the worrying state of our nation, a condition brought about by the failure of government to recognize the importance of good governance and robust institutions. Many are now seeing the glaring need for change, changes that require leadership, integrity and effective decisions.
But our statement today is not just to place demands on our political class. Our statement is a call to the people. For too long our nation has been shackled a culture of impunity, nepotism, and the normalisation of abuse of power. It is time to hold our Government, our political parties and our parliament to account.
We need to restore faith in the proper functioning of our institutions and democracy. For this to be done and to be seen to be done, our leaders need to act and quickly.
The AG, and the Commissioner of Police, need to be replaced with non-divisive, competent persons who enjoy the trust of all. Recent history has demonstrated that too often this is not the case. But let us make no mistake. Their removal is not enough: and this goes to the heart of our democracy and the strength of our institutions. Our key institutions cannot be held hostage by our political class, they must be, and importantly be seen to be independent and upholding the rule of law.
Only constitutional reforms can bring about this change. We stand for strengthening the three organs of the state – the Parliament, the Government and the Law Courts – and for effective separation of their powers so each is free to operate without fear or favour. This is the only way that democracy, people’s rights and freedoms are upheld.
We want a change in the ways things are being done. We want safety, protection, honesty, transparency and integrity. We want our faith restored in our country, in our future, in our children’s future. And we want it to start now. With us. At this rate, no political party can save us.
This is our nation. This is our home. And we are the people.
We expect better.
We deserve better.
We demand better.
#occupyjustice #occupycastille
This event is aided and supported by the Civil Society Network and we are grateful for their logistical help.
The event is endorsed by aditus, the Civil Society Network, Gender Equality Malta, Integra Foundation, Kopin, Platform for Human Rights NGOs in Malta, SOS Malta and The Critical Institute.