Remembering the internees

One must have sympathy for the relations of those Maltese internees sent to Uganda at the start of the war in Malta in June of 1940 without trial. But it was a time when martial law was brought into effect.

However, I certainly do not agree with the suggestion by Anna Marie Navarro (February 21) that they be “commemorated in a dignified manner”. In some cases it may have been a rushed decision since there was no trial but the pro-Italian element among them was a danger to the island with Benito Mussolini always claiming Malta as his own.

Some time ago, a minister suggested that a monument be set up to remember them. I understand the same suggestion was also made by a prominent historian. Surely, this would be an insult to those Maltese and allied servicemen and women and Maltese civilians who were killed or maimed during the siege from 1940 to 1943. The hardships the internees suffered were nothing compared to those who remained and died defending Malta.

Remember them by all means but no monument!