Injustices tribunal's term extended by a year

The House of Representatives yesterday unanimously approved a motion to extend the term of the Injustices Tribunal by one year. It had been due to expire next month.

The motion was moved by Education Minister Louis Galea on behalf of Justice and Home Affairs Minister Tonio Borg and seconded by the deputy leader of the opposition, Charles Mangion.

Dr Galea said the tribunal had been set up to hear cases of injustices which could have taken place before the Ombudsman was appointed.

The tribunal still had cases pending before it and it was for this reason that its term was being extended.

Notary Mangion said that the opposition agreed with the extension.

The opposition was insisting, however, that once cases were decided favourably, the government should provide the redress which the tribunal would have decided.

There were cases where, despite claims of injustice having been upheld, the individuals involved had not got the remedy which the tribunal decided. Justice had to be done and be seen to be done.

Winding up, Dr Galea said that tribunal decisions were, in their majority, respected, and remedies which could be given were given within the parameters allowed by the constitution and ordinary laws.

However, there were instances when the tribunal awards could not be implemented for valid reasons of a legal nature, and not on an excuse.

Indeed, the law which had set up the tribunal, had foreseen that there would be cases where an injustice could not be remedied by an equivalent remedy as there could be legal and constitutional obstacles.

In such cases, the tribunal could choose to give financial compensation.

The government, he said, would continue giving the biggest consideration possible to the tribunal's recommendations.

After all, it was the Nationalist government which had created different remedies for all those who felt an injustice was committed in their regard.