The Malta Gay Rights Movement criticised two Nationalist MEPs for abstaining from supporting an EU measure for comprehensive legislation to combat discrimination.

Simon Busuttil and David Casa failed to support an EU measure that would provide legal protection to a number of minority groups who suffer discrimination on the grounds of age, religion, disability and sexual orientation in the provision of goods and services, the movement said.

The movement expressed its disappointment in the voting patterns of the PN MEPs, who it said, consistently showed a lack of commitment towards achieving equality for all EU citizens.

"This, despite the fact that in a pre-election meeting with MGRM, PN representatives, including Simon Busuttil, had said they would not object to an EU anti-discrimination directive granting protection in the provision of goods and services," the movement said in a statement yesterday. On May 20, the European Parliament adopted a report calling on the European Commission to adhere to its commitment to propose a "comprehensive directive" to combat any discrimination.

The report adopted with 362 votes in favour, 262 against and 56 abstentions, also demanded effective sanctions and support for victims.

An amendment tabled by the EPP-ED group deplored discrimination, but said that "a non-specific directive prohibiting discrimination" was not "the appropriate tool for dealing with the complex needs of individuals".

This was defeated with 284 votes in favour to 371 against.