Students taking part in the NSTF Mini-European Assembly were recently taken to court, quite literally, to discuss human rights. The Courts of Justice in Valletta were the venue for the third session of the assembly hosted by Chief Justice Vincent De Gaetano.
Chief Justice Emeritus Giuseppe Mifsud Bonnici delivered the keynote address on the topic 'Human rights - issues of life and death - a conflict of interest?'
The Mini European Assembly takes place in different venues around Malta with the venue usually linked to the topic being discussed or to important European or local institutions.
The team of students from St Aloysius' College, Birkirkara, representing Ukraine, presented a report giving a general overview and some history on human rights, especially on the United Nations' 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The declaration consists of a list of 30 particular human rights that countries should respect and protect.
The report focused in particular on the declaration's articles regarding life and death issues, namely that everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person (Article 3); that no one shall be held in slavery or servitude and that slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms (Article 4) and that no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (Article 5). It tackled the sensitive issues of abortion, euthanasia, the death penalty, genocide and torture and ill-treatment - all very relevant and current issues. It then focused on the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of the Council of Europe and went on to give a snapshot of human rights violations in the14 countries represented in the assembly.
The team from De La Salle College, Vittoriosa, representing Russia, put forward a resolution on the topic, which was followed by a discussion on the report by all participating teams and proposed amendments to the resolution.
The assembly helps students understand better the realities of other countries and hence their own views and convictions.
It is not only a forum for discussion but a programme which promotes cultural understanding.
Plenary sessions of the assembly are held on a monthly basis. The next session will deal with 'Multilingualism and cultural identity: Is the voice of the minority heard?'. For further information or to attend, contact Mariella-Pia Tabone on or 2558 8241.