Rabat property owners claim breach of human rights

Owners of a property in Rabat yesterday filed a court application claiming breach of their human rights after a requisition order was issued on their property.

The application was filed in the First Hall of the Civil Court by six members of the Montanaro Gauci family against the Director of Social Housing.

The family claimed that their human rights had been breached after the government had issued a requisition order on their property which was inhabited by squatters. While proceedings against the squatters had been going on in 1988, the government issued a requisition order on the property placing a rent on it.

Although the building is in a prime location and could be developed, the Montanaro Gauci family said they have been unable to develop the site because of the squatters.

The family members are therefore asking the court to declare that the requisition order violated their fundamental human rights, to order that they are compensated and also that their property is returned to them.

Lawyer José Herrera signed the suit.