PN withholds support for human rights bill pending more scrutiny

The Nationalist Party says it supports plans to establish a National Commission for Human Rights and Equality but will withhold its support for the bill until it has undergone more detailed parliamentary scrutiny.

In a statement, the opposition said it agreed with the principles of the proposed legislation but would reserve its vote on each clause during the committee stage, citing concerns that insufficient time had been allowed for consultation.

The bill, tabled in parliament last week, would establish a National Commission for Human Rights and Equality and incorporate Article 1 of the Twelfth Protocol to the European Convention on Human Rights into Maltese law, extending legal protection against discrimination.

Changes to the law would include banning restaurants, bars, banks, insurance companies and other shops from turning away people belonging to any minority.

"Establishments such as restaurants and bars cannot refuse same-sex couples or people with disabilities - something that, until now, was not clearly written into the law. This will also apply to banks and insurance companies," Equality and Civil Rights Minister Rosianne Cutajar told parliament on its second reading. 

The PN's intervention follows calls by several organisations for the government to slow the legislative process.

Among them are the Church's Delegate for Catholic Education, the Church Schools Association, the Chamber of Pharmacists and Doctors for Life, which say the legislation affects fundamental rights, equality, protection against discrimination and constitutional principles and therefore requires wider consultation.

In a separate statement, the Church Schools Association said church schools remained committed to promoting the dignity and rights of every person but raised concerns about the bill's potential impact on their ability to preserve their Catholic ethos.

It said any new legal framework should respect constitutional protections and international human rights obligations safeguarding the freedom of religious communities to establish and administer educational institutions in accordance with their religious identity.

The PN said its decision to reserve its position reflected its commitment to "a serious and transparent parliamentary process based on adequate consultation".

PN seeking every possible excuse not to back the bill, Labour says

In a reaction, the Labour Party said the PN is continuing its long-standing tradition of dragging its feet on reforms aimed at strengthening equality.

It said the PN had spent days attempting to delay the meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Bill to discuss the new bill. 

On Tuesday, instead of presenting amendments to the bill, Opposition MPs Ivan Castillo, Rebecca Borg and Graziella Attard Previ said that they needed more time to study the proposed legislation. They then proceeded to abstain on each of the bill’s 60 clauses.

The PL said the draft legislation has been in the Opposition’s possession since March, but the PN was seeking “every possible excuse” to avoid voting in favour of what will be another historic step for the country.

The proposed law will protect people from all forms of discrimination and harassment, including those occurring through electronic systems and social media platforms.

The PL recalled that the PN had in the past either abstained or voted against measures including civil unions, marriage equality, adoption rights and changes to IVF legislation.