MLP insists on redress for victims of discrimination

The European Socialist Group is backing the Labour Party's stand to pressure the government into ensuring that victims of discrimination are granted a remedy or compensation.

The group has issued a statement saying it fully supported MLP supporters who have been victims of discrimination by the government.

It said it was particularly concerned at the government's failure to implement Injustices Tribunal recommendations for acts of discrimination committed between May 1987 and May 1997.

Addressing a news conference yesterday, Labour MEP Joseph Muscat and Labour MP Anglu Farrugia said there were 39 instances where the government or government entities had not taken up the tribunal's recommendation

These formed eight to ten per cent of the tribunal's decisions against the government.

MLP deputy leader Michael Falzon said it was shameful that when the tribunal proved these people right, the government hid behind procedures and kept individuals waiting for their compensation.

"If the political or administrative will had initially been found for an injustice to be committed against these people, the same will should now be found for justice to be done."

Mr Muscat said that the government was saying that Public Service Commission regulations prevented it from implementing the tribunal's decision.

The government, Mr Muscat argued, should find an administrative solution. He said that, if necessary, the Socialist Group would be initiating discussions with other political groups to garner more support against the government inertia.

Dr Farrugia said that, according to the European Union's Charter on Human Rights, such decisions must be implemented.

He said that it would be better for the government to honour the decisions rather than risk being humiliated in the EU.

Dr Farrugia said there were cases at Bank of Valletta where the bank tried to reach agreement with some of the parties to give them less compensation than the amount specified by the tribunal.