Updated: Labour Youths urge PL to promise divorce in electoral programme

Bjorn Callus

Dec 3rd 2009, 21:19

Some comments here are simply hilarious! What's wrong with the picture full of youths (and not kiddies btw) where some of them happen to be smiling? What's wrong with a youth section of a political party approving such motion? or maybe this sign of progressive thinking is somehow bothering some conservatives?

and for those who seem so specialists in giving their advice, i invite to join in this debate and assist to what is a real debate between 'kids'! I assure, you'll be surprised! the way we youths present at this conference debated yesterday was excellent! a mature discussion. some said that we are immature. i just wonder if this opinion was formulated from THEIR own experience of a youth political organisation

Joe Micallef

Dec 3rd 2009, 21:10

Divorce is no civil right. Let us learn from other countries' experiences vis a vis divorce legislation. In countries where divorce has been introducted, the number of cohabitations increased, the number of family breakdowns increased as well. Divorce introduces new problems and is not a remedy for broken marriages. This according to surveys by reliable sources, that have nothing to do with religion. And by the way, what about the welfare of children when opting for divorce?

Randolph De Battista

Dec 3rd 2009, 18:17

@ M Psaila
It is obvious that you were not present for yesterday's General Meeting. However I enjoyed reading your post since your comments were the exact opposite of what happened yesterday!

All I can say is that I'm proud to be part of a fresh and dynamic FZL, which discusses the real issues, and mind you, in a serious manner. I'm proud to be one of the speakers in yesterday's open minded discussion leading to the approval of the motion.

Ultimately, if I ever doubted Dr Muscat for one second, his contribution in yesterday's meeting reassured me that electing him party leader was the best decision!

Alex Saliba

Dec 3rd 2009, 17:51

A great step being taken by FZL , this is the new way of doing politics, this is the time to act!
Dak li hu tal-Knisja hu tal-Knisja u dak li hu ta' l-Istat hu ta' l-istat! This is not a battle against religion, this is a battle for more freedom, for better civil rights for a freer society. Unfortunately in Malta after years of conservative administration we have become blind folded and see issues like divorce as something of an evil nature.
Let us all be frank with ourselves, we cannot tolerate that Malta would become the 2nd Vatican state! This right is granted all over the world with only a couple of exceptions, why are we the exception? Let us all be mature enough and after consultation and after hearing the public opinion move forward to legislate on Divorce.
Well done FZL and PL its time to take real action!

Byron Camilleri

Dec 3rd 2009, 17:18

@ K. Pullicino

If you did some research before you posted your comment, you could have known that divorce already exists in Malta!

The problem is that it is not reachable by everyone. Who can afford to buy a property in another EU country and get a domicile, can get a divorce from that country and then get it recognized in Malta. Also, if a person is married to another person whose nationality is not Maltese and in his/her country divorce exists, one can file an application for divorce in that country.

A couple in a happy marriage, would not want to divorce. Divorce is only the end mean to offer someone the right to marry again.

Also, if you consider divorce immoral or improper, do not make use of it, but please, do not interfere in other's life.

Paul Barrett

Dec 3rd 2009, 17:16

The first thing here is to separate religion from politics.
The Catholic religion does not condone divorce, not here in Malta or anywhere else in the World that I know of.
There is absolutely no reason why those that wish to be bound by the Catholic Church laws should be effected by a secular law that would allow divorce.
My personal support for a legal divorce is that I have many friends, relatives and acquaintances that are married, separated and now living with someone that they cannot under current legislation get married too. In some cases there are children born “outside of marriage”. This situation is not ideal for a stable society and is even worse for the children.
Divorce will neither increase nor decrease the breakdown of marriages; it will however go some way to sorting out what is becoming a socially totally confusing and mixed up society of unmarried families.
For the good of the community as a whole, this question needs to be taken away from any individual political party and discussed maturely in a social context devoid of religious or political affiliation.

M Psaila

Dec 3rd 2009, 16:54

Looking at this photo and seeing these young people grinning my reaction is: 'Immature!'

LETS DISCUSS DIVORCE OF COURSE, BUT LETS DO IT SERIOUSLY AND NOT IN SUCH A CHILDISH MANNER!

It is as if they just approved a motion approving a good FZL Xmas party and they are all happy about it!

These people want to decide the future of the family and the future of our children!

Just imagine if the past generations had to decide Malta's Independence, Republic, Freedom Day and EU membership in this wayu, through a motion and a couple of kids raising their hands!

By any chance was this motion approved after Joseph Muscat delivered his speech and with super one cameras present and then the President of FZL says 'Say Cheese' and 'Ghollu Jdejkom' u hekk il-Labour approva d-dhul tad-divorzju f'pajjizna!

ara vera l-kaz li f'dan il-pajjiz ma hawnx ghazla ... IMAGINE LABOUR WAS IN GOVERNMENT AND THESE PEOPLE DECIDE FOR US ALL! GOD FORBIDS!

N.Tanti

Dec 3rd 2009, 16:52

@ Josianne Cardona Gatt - very sensible comment. I like the way you think.

S Cassar

Dec 3rd 2009, 16:32

x'INHI L-POZIZZJONI TA' ZEWG DEPUTATI LABURISTI PARTIKOLARI LI DEJJEM TKELLMU KONTRA D-DIVORZJU U CIOE' DR ADRIAN VASSALLO U DR MARLENE PULLICINO ORLANDO? JAQBLU MAL-POZIZZJONI TAL-FZL?


TAJJEB LI Z-ZGHAZAGH IKUNU HUMA LI JIGGENERAW L-IDEAT U L-HSIBIJIET IMMA TAL-BIKI JEKK ISSUES SENSITTIVI DWAR IL-FAMILJA U T-TFAL JIGU DECIZI B'DAN IL-MOD ... GRUPP TA ZGHAZAGH IXEJRU IDEJHOM U JGHIDU LI JRIDU D-DIVORZJU MINGHAJR STUDJU SERJU!

SO PLEASE AS A CITIZEN I WANT TO KNOW WHAT STUDIES DID THE MLP CONDUCT AND BY WHOM?

Warren Busuttil

Dec 3rd 2009, 16:15

Veru taghtini x'nifhem li nifirhu li l-pajjiz jaghmel progress jekk jidhol id-divorzju. Nahseb li narrow minded dawk li jaraw sa erbghat ijiem ohra jkunu komdi ghax huma liberi... u ma jarax ftit ohra 'il quddiem.
Harsu lejn pajjizi barra minn Malta u araw jekk fejn dahal id-divorzju kienx hemm progress il quddiem fil familji u s-socjeta
Ahjar il-PL igib il-bidla billi jdahhal modi godda kif isahhah il-familji.
'Bidla gdida' is not eqaul to 'tkissir gdid'... mind you!!

K. Pullicino

Dec 3rd 2009, 15:33

@Byron Camilleri: Nice funny, little comment you posted there:

"We have been discussing the family for years... and now is the time for Action!"

What action? To break them up?

Mario Cachia

Dec 3rd 2009, 15:15

I am sure that Labour Youths and MLP are two seperate (although sharing similar ideas) entities. If MLP should accept your propsal this would mean that people would choose not between PN or MLP but between PN and divorce just as it had happened in the referendum of the EU. I think that these issues are not political but public. As a DEMCOCRATIC country we should decide by a referendum.

Personally I am 100% against divorce but of course I am quite aware that it is only my idea. A referendum should handle this delicate issue, not a political party

Joseph Stephen Galea

Dec 3rd 2009, 14:36

Seems like PL are enjoying their stay in opposition.
Exactly the perfect thing to do to ensure another PN victory.

Josianne Cardona Gatt

Dec 3rd 2009, 14:35

The questionof divorce is not as easy as one thinks it is, even if the political dimension is left out of the question. As a young adult who is preparing for marriage and as a Christian, i do firmly believe that divorce is a no go and that marriage should be for life. However, my profession and my sense of social conscience show that marriage is turning to be quite different from being for life. Nonetheless, such issue should not be put at the mercy of voters nor of should it be made an object to political rivality. Introducing divorce would mean to change the whole concept of our family law, which would bring concequences, whether favourable or not to all other cells of society. It is much more then a way to get people to vote you more, it is a matter of social conscience and a reality which for better or for worse it will inevitably change our society. The question is: as a nation are we mature enough to deal with the prons and cons of this situation?

N.Tanti

Dec 3rd 2009, 14:26

@ S.Cassar - You already shot down the idea.....and then you ask if any studies were done. Truly bniedem partigan!!! Get a life!

@ K.Pullicino - Yes these youths are not married.....but what if one of their parents started to be abusive after the marriage?? This would have effected their life for sure. Look at the whole picture.... and not what you have been fed all your life!!!

So much narrow minded people in this country. We really need a change....

Edric Micallef Figallo

Dec 3rd 2009, 14:15

"Forum president Daniel Micallef said that gone was the time when the party kept a step back from saying what it truly believed." - I agree wholeheartedly, gone are the days when Labour deceitfully pretended it could also represent the Catholic vote and expect not to be attacked for it by those that knew better. Mind you, this question does not end with Catholicism and divorce for the ideological and ethical basis go beyond any Faith and any one single question.

Yet, let us keep it simple, one has to check the reaction of many Labourites who also happen to be Catholic and "conservative". With their anti-conservative rhetoric, this "moviment progressiv" Labour might be attacking and offending a huge chunk of its own supporters. If the latter put party before their supposed values, they would merely prove lack of mettle. In the meantime, 6 Labourite MPs had already said NO, and one deputy leader was quite unclear in his declarations. Prosit to them.

jane Goodwin

Dec 3rd 2009, 14:12

Pro Divorce. It is going to happen sooner or later-Pro Divorce!
The people will decide,wait and see-Pro divorce.

L. Coleiro

Dec 3rd 2009, 14:01

@E. Azzopardi
did you vote IVA according to your Christ's church party values??

@J. Farrugia
You are very good at history lessons it seems not so sure about you views of the future.


We are Europeans and yes we want our right for divorce. This is not about destroying families this is about legal rights and a chance to start over.

If we ought to go on with our conservative ways, ideologies and values we might as well through all the stars out of the window.

K. Pullicino

Dec 3rd 2009, 13:46

Youths who are probably not married want divorce? That doesn't sound at all like a promising future for our society.

Loranne Zammit

Dec 3rd 2009, 13:37

such issue should be discussed on NATIONAL LEVEL, and is not to be politicised!!

S Cassar

Dec 3rd 2009, 13:36

OMG! is this serious??!!!! the photo says it all; for them this is a joke and they all look evidently amused and thrilled ! Really and truly the case of superficial politics at its best!

If this is the new political season that Joseph muscat promised then thanks but no thanks!

What sociologiocal study was conducted by this group of labour kiddies before voting in favour of divorce? On what basis did they reach their conclusion that divorce should be introduced?

How serious is it to approve such a sensitive new policy by a simple show of hands and from people who just made their first political step?

How many of those kiddies are married? and what is their avreage age?

Then to top it all up there comes Muscat and says he agrees with them and they all clap and smile and say they are the new progressives !

REALLY THE CASE OF POLITIKA BLA SUSTANZA! GROW UP DR MUSCAT U MHUX BIEX TIDHER SABIH MAGHHOM TIDHKILHOM U THALLIHOM JAGHZQU!

C Calleja

Dec 3rd 2009, 13:17

Ezempju car li dan huwa partit miftuh, modern u li jiddiskuti l-politika.

nistghu ma naqblux fuq certi principji u ghandu jkun hemm diskussjoni dwarhom.

Imma zgur li ghandu jkun hemm qbil li Joseph Muscat ittrasforma lil dan il-partit f'wiehed ewropew tassew. issa rriduh jittrasfroma lil Malta.

Byron Camilleri

Dec 3rd 2009, 13:02

"As a progressive party, one of the crucial issues for us is civil rights. In a country which has been part of the EU for five years, we can no longer have a situation where, when discussion arises on certain rights, such issues are sidelined, swept under the carpet or gagged by the conservative authorities," Mr Micallef said.

Well said Mr Micallef.

The funny thing is that divorce is recognized in Malta and anyone who can afford to get a domicile in another EU country or is married to a foreign woman/man can get divorce from the other partner's country.

Therefore instead of discriminating between those who can afford divorce and those who does not, why don't we put forward our own legislation so that everyone will enjoy the same rights and duties?

We have been discussing the family for years... and now is the time for Action!

Well done Labour Youth

T Cuschieri

Dec 3rd 2009, 12:53

I think that divorce is just another way of having a backup plan in case things go wrong. I don't want to go into the Religious aspects of things, but from a human perspective, people need to start acting responsibly and thinking before acting - and I think marriage is one of those things that needs reflection and being fully convinced before moving into it.

I understand that some have the right reasons to opt for divorce but the majority who are in favor of it only want it so that they have a way out of something that binds you for life. Its indisputable that people nowadays just don't want any commitments and want the easy way out of everything.That's just irresponsible!

What concerns me is that the aspiring politicians that are in the photo are laughing and smiling - giving me the impression that they are not taking the divorce matter seriously. Honestly Dr. Muscat, are these the people who you want approving material that goes into your political manifesto?! Some think that this is a joke evidently!

R Spiteri

Dec 3rd 2009, 12:43

Just a few questions

- did the Labour Youth Forum prepare any study and come up with reasons why all the members in the room did wave their hands?
- the values in countries that have divorce, did increase or decrease upon divorce introduction?
- why is it that everyone is laughing in this photo?
- there is 1 lady and 25 men in the picture. why?

N.Calleja

Dec 3rd 2009, 12:40

Curiously enough I have just heard the Super One radio news bulletin and while the Forum's meeting was mentioned, there was no mention of the divorce issue requested by those present. Is this another way of censorship? Are they afraid to raise the issue in public? Is this the progressive broadcasting Evarist Bartolo is advocating? Maybe it will be mentioned on Zimbabwe Broadcasting Services!!

Mario Bonnici

Dec 3rd 2009, 12:34

@Julian Said

It's true that divorce doesn't solve the problem. But it surely gives a person the opportunitiy to start a new life with someone else.
We have to start and face reality.

C.Borg

Dec 3rd 2009, 12:31

new party, new ideas and modern politics!!! - FINALLY!!

@ J.Micallef..... I ll have to agree with you.

Alan Montaldo

Dec 3rd 2009, 12:26

As long as divorce is not imposed on everyone, I believe that people should have the freedom to choose what's best for them. So I agree with the absolute majority of the Maltese population that divorce should be introduced.

Anthony Magri

Dec 3rd 2009, 12:21

A decision on the question of divorce ought to be taken during the legislature.
Such serious legislation cannot wait a general elections, paricularly since Malta is a member of the E.U and both political parties through their spokesmen/women are not adverse. Procrastination will make matters worst. Parliament must decide to-day before tomorrow. Let us not wait an imposition but do it freely according to our amendments to the pertinent laws or new ones.Just give a free vote that's all that is requested

KZerafa

Dec 3rd 2009, 12:03

@ F.Ż.L. President:

"As a progressive party, one of the crucial issues for us is civil rights. "

Dear Mr. Micallef,

could you please give us a list of what you and PL consider as civil rights? In my ignorance, I think that abortion and euthanasia qualify as civil rights, don't they? If not, how come you endorse the electoral manifesto of the former PES for the European Parliament elections? But beware of the conservatives. Most of them are staunch Labour Party supporters from the South.

It seems that somehow the PL never learns from past mistakes... you're raising a new issue that would play in the PN's hands now that the EU issue is dead and buried. Incredible!!

E. Azzopardi

Dec 3rd 2009, 11:56

Thanks for making up my mind for the next general election. No political party is more important than Christ's Church.

Robert Attard

Dec 3rd 2009, 11:54

I am seriously thinking of joining this group. Who may I contact?

Jon Shaw

Dec 3rd 2009, 11:54

For those interested, I just launched an online exercise to contribute to this debate. Check out www.DivorceInMalta.com

J Farrugia

Dec 3rd 2009, 11:46

The photo on this news item reminds me of the Extraordinary general conference of the Labour Party under Alfred Sant, when we saw the delegates approving their mad resolution to go to elections in 1998. Happy faces, hands up in favour of the motion, positive signs. And come the election and gone were the smiles and the hands in the air. They lost miserably. and that is what will happen should labour lose its head and promise (un)civil rights like divorce, gays, same sex marraiges, eutanasia, abortions. etc. Yes - hands up all those in favour.

J Farrugia

Dec 3rd 2009, 11:43

Ah yes very good of the labour party to kick itself in the foot. This 'new leadership' of earthquake fame, has already condemned itself to perpetual opposition. They want civil rights which obviously are not human rights. Just human wrongs. They have shown themselves to be the same anti catholic party in Malta, the same party which caused havoc throughout its 16 years in government. Just remember what the great Dom Mintoff said to the Labout League of Youth in 1976. "You really dont know what you're talking about, this divorce." and this coming from the PM Mintoff. Uomo avvizato mezzo salvato. These empty promises will make labour cry again. Cry in despair at a party which sails with the winds that blow.

D. Xerri

Dec 3rd 2009, 11:33

Fully agree - its more than about time this country now for 5 years in the EU gets in line with progress and stop denying reality. We can no longer live life today with the basics of the past that no longer reflect reality - Lets Move On and stop discussing time and time again issues that stay shelved ! The Maltese joined the EU to live in the EU not to be marooned on an island that shouts - Were members of the EU then thinks with IFS and BUTS !

J.Tonna

Dec 3rd 2009, 11:29

These youths, many of whom seem to be single, want to leave the door open when they enter marriage. X'serjeta hux??

jurgen cachia

Dec 3rd 2009, 11:27

Finally a new sense in Maltese politics

Julian Said

Dec 3rd 2009, 11:25

Introducing divorce will only add to social problems, and will solve no problems , the youth forum should be wiser then this, as divorce is no solution to family problems. Its better that couples be loyal to each other and be more prepared before wedding..........no need to introduce religion as if i am not cathlic its still wrong if i don't be loyal to my wife...... etc etc.......

J. Micallef

Dec 3rd 2009, 11:23

If PL or PN legalises divorce and marjuana, they can rest assured that the party who does so will remain in Goverment for all time !!!! But unfortunatley we're still being administered by "old" brains ...... Unlike the rest of Europe .....