BirdLife International demands justice following ranger attack
BirdLife International has condemned the attack on a ranger at the Foresta 2000 park and called on the government to make sure justice was done with whoever was responsible.
"We strongly condemn this criminal act. The international partnership of BirdLife expresses its full solidarity and support to BirdLife Malta and to all others who work for nature conservation in a non-violent and legal way," the regional director of BirdLife for Europe at BirdLife International, Clairie Papazoglou said.
Dr Papazoglou said that last October Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi assured BirdLife International in a letter that all perpetrators would be brought to justice.
"We finally want to see this happen. The government must live up to its responsibility to enforce the law and ensure the security of citizens and visitors," she said.
The ranger was shot in Mellieħa on Tuesday morning by someone hidden in the trees. He was injured in his right ear and suffered bruises on his head. He had been shot in the face in October 2007 by a hunter who later turned himself in. The ranger chose not to press charges against him because of medical reasons but the police still charged him in court and he is still going through the proceedings.
BirdLife Malta president Joseph Mangion stressed that over the past two and a half years BirdLife Malta conservation sites, volunteers and staff have been "seriously targeted over 20 times and in all these cases no one has been brought to justice".
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J Farrugia
Apr 16th 2009, 16:31
If Birdlife knows who the aggressor is can they please give this name to the police so that action will be taken? If not shut up. And let the police work. If the victim did not recognise the aggressor how can the police arraign any one in court and get a conviction?
Anthony Formosa
Apr 16th 2009, 13:34
Dear Prime Minister Gonzi this is a warning from Dr Papazoglou to assure BLI that the perpetrators are brought to justice and punished severely or else we will boycott the tourist industry like we did in the past, or name and shame during football games. Well I would like to remind Dr Papazoglou that when they sent foreigners to our country they must also respect our privacy in our own private land in a non provocation way.
Anyone else wants to condemn this barbaric, brutality, savageness act against the BLM ranger who was shot in an ambush?
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Apr 16th 2009, 11:16
Dr Papazoglou
Are you insinuating that the Maltese Government does not do its job properly
Birdlife's arrogance cannot be more clearly defined
The Maltese government does not need your reminders but it surely needs your cooperation in seeing that justice is served to all those that seek it. Hunters included!!
I would start by examining why Birdlfie Malta revoked their agreement with Malta's Government on the use of derogation for spring hunting for Turtle Doves and Quail.
J. Borg
Apr 16th 2009, 11:08
"He had been shot in the face in October 2007 by a HUNTER who later turned himself in"
Guess any further comments are superfluous - and the best thing hunters can do is to zip up for a change.
Franco Farrugia
Apr 16th 2009, 10:52
@ Mr Eric Camilleri - Contrary to you, I fail to see why the spokesman mentioned should be 'happy with this state of affairs'. Nor do I understand what 'propoganda' is necessary in this situation. Birdlife is very altruistic in this matter - it is working hard to obtain condtions for the general good and for the general well-being of birds. Its actions, to my mind, ar in general commendable.
Joe Camilleri
Apr 16th 2009, 10:32
Dear Dr Papazoglou, the government also assured the hunters and trappers that nothing (spring hunting and trapping) is going to be changed once Malta joins the EU.
Eric Camilleri
Apr 16th 2009, 10:01
Dear Dr Papazoglou, all incidents of this sort are condemnable. No argument. But its just lip service. There is an ironic element of contradiction in your statements. Howcome you demand that the Maltese Government (and Malta Police) ensure that all perpetrators are brought to justice, yet BLM's very own shot ranger dropped charges against the first perpetrator and it had to be the Malta Police to press charges, which court proceedings are still ongoing. It seems that such incidents and state of affairs suit you fine for your propoganda machine, and you are happy that things stay that way.