Two medal recipients have written to President George Abela asking to be removed from Malta's honours list "until such time as Muammar Gaddafi’s name is removed from Malta’s list of honours".
Former Nationalist MP Frank Portelli wrote his second open letter to President George Abela this evening, this time asking for the removal of his name from the list of Maltese Honours
On February 22, Dr Portelli had written to Dr Abela requesting the removal of Gaddafi’s name from the list.
Later today poetess Maria Grech Ganado joined Dr Portelli in his request.
"Iwish to add my voice to that of Dr Frank Portelli in removing my name from the list of Maltese Honours for as long as Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s is listed too."
She said in her letter she was very proud of her medal, which she received in 2000, "but have no desire to be listed as a recipient of an honour along with someone who has proved himself to be not only inhumane even with his own people but a criminal condemned by international agreement
"I urge Parliament to strip the Colonel of his Honours as soon as possible in order to restore honour to the list itself, and because I would obviously like to see my name back on it again."
In his letter, Dr Portelli said that he has become “even more convinced that Muammar Gaddafi’s recent actions have brought our honours system into disrepute.”
He pointed out that Gaddafi has been condemned by the Arab League, by the United Nations, and by a unanimous resolution of the Security Council which has also referred him to the International Court of Justice for crimes against the people of Libya.
“Gaddafi’s actions cannot in any way be interpreted as being exceptional merit in the service of humanity,” Dr Portelli said.
He pointed out that he was himself “the proud recipient of the National Commemorative Medal of Malta marking the 75th Anniversary of the Re-introduction of Self-Government”, which medal was conferred on June 7, 1996.
“I now wish to register a sign of personal protest against the atrocities being performed by Muammar Gaddafi against humanity in general, and against the Libyan people in particular.
“I firmly believe that the Libyan people are being massacred because they dare claim their rightful aspirations.
“I wish therefore to request you, as the head of the Maltese Orders, to remove my name from the list of Maltese Honours until such time as Muammar Gaddafi’s name is removed from the Malta’s list of Honours.
“I would be grateful if the reason for my request be published on all documentation relating to the system of honours,” Dr Portelli wrote, assuring the President of his allegiance to him and to Malta.