Lack of accessibility at Gozo cemeteries

St Mary's Cemetery and Xewkija Cemetery are two adjacent cemeteries at Tal-Barmil, limits of Victoria. St Mary's was built about 70 years ago while the Xewkija Cemetery was opened some 15 years ago.

St Mary's Cemetery consists of three levels and it needs to be user- friendly for those with special needs. To go down from level one to level two, the only access is by two stairways situated on either side of the chapel. To get from the second level to the third there is a staircase and on one side a ramp. But this ramp is not suitable for a wheelchair-bound person.

Xewkija Cemetery is a more modern cemetery on two levels. The only access from one level to the other is by stairs situated on both sides of the chapel. Even the main entrance from the road is not accessible to wheelchair-bound persons.

Immediate action needs to be taken by those concerned. Accessibility for wheelchair-bound people to the burial place of their loved ones should not be prohibited.