Peace Lab. opts to await inquiry outcome

The Peace Laboratory of Hal-Far said yesterday it decided not to take part in the TV show Xarabank yesterday, that discussed the Safi Barracks incidents, in view of the inquiry currently underway.

Director Fr Dionysius Mintoff told The Times that, at first, Peace Lab. representatives had planned to attend the programme and explain on air why they felt they should not participate in the debate given the inquiry. However, it was subsequently decided that a public statement explaining their stand should be made and stay away from the show.

Fr Mintoff recalled that on another occasion last year the Peace Lab. had protested with the Broadcasting Authority prior to the screening of a TV programme which discussed the plight of Eritrean immigrants who had been repatriated by the Maltese government. The Peace Lab. had called, without success, on the broadcasting watchdog not to allow the programme because a magisterial inquiry was in progress.

Some of the 223 Eritreans who were deported from Malta in autumn 2002 claimed they had been beaten or tortured on their return home.