The decision to have police vetting lyrics of rock bands participating in the Nadur Carnival is oppressive, and should immediately be done away with, Alternattiva Demokratika said.

AD chairman Michael Briguglio said it was unbelievable that in a 21st century European society, police were asking rock bands to hand in their lyrics before performing. This practice was the norm in dictatorships and fundamentalist regimes.

"Is Malta becoming a confessional society," he asked.

AD spokesman for culture Miriam Cassar said the decision was not only a breach of individual rights but a tyrannical practice which could be used arbitrarily to repress artists whose opinions did not conform to the views of dominant institutions.

"What Malta really needs is not the bullying of rock bands and other artists, but legislation against hate crimes such as racism and xenophobia, irrespective of the religious, political or cultural belief in question.

"This is essential in a society based on pluralism and respect of diversity," she said.