A number of activists from civil society have set up Repubblika, a civil society organisation to participate in the national dialogue on the observance and enhancement of monitoring mechanisms of human rights, and of protecting and enhancing democracy in Malta.
The activists declared their commitment towards constitutional values, which they called the foundations of life in Maltese society. Concurrently, they expressed great concern at the incessant and perilous deterioration of these foundations.
The activists announced that Repubblika strives to fight against:
• The siege on society by those with corrupt interests;
• The tendency of institutions to turn a blind eye to venality, protecting the corrupt and enabling abuse of power;
• The use of the law as a weapon of the incumbents to castigate those who confront them, while lackeys are permitted to perpetuate corruption;
• Judicial appointments that award partisan service;
• The use of law enforcement agencies as partisan corps;
• The obfuscation of information on matters of national interest;
• The threat toward investigative journalism;
• The systematic abuse of and threats toward critics of those in power;
• Education that disengages values and teaches students that government is master, not servant;
• The eradication of common heritage like the air, the countryside, and the sea;
• The degeneration caused by speculators obsessed with money at the expense of our natural and cultural resources;
• The obliteration of the valleys, the garrigue, the pastures and the fields;
• The opacity of those who manage our health care services;
• The exchange of our citizenship for money and the tolerance of global criminals who use Malta for money-laundering;
• The relentless and broadening inequalities in our society.
"Good must dispel corruption, justice must be administered universally, courage must dethrone fear," they said.
Repubblika aspired to contribute to the national discussion on the present and the future of the country while looking to identify instances where the established order breached its constitutional limits and threatened or sabotaged the aspirations of a free and open society.
The founding members of Repubblika are Robert Aquilina, Karl Camilleri, Sammi Davis, Manuel Delia, Alexander Hili, Joe Pace Asciak, Marion Pace Asciak, Simon Sansone and Pia Zammit. Marion Pace Asciak is chairwoman ad interim.
Repubblika is not affiliated with any political party and though it appreciates the public service of all politicians of goodwill, it does not consider that civil society should be the battleground for politicians, elected officials, or candidates.
Its mission is not limited to one administration, nor will it realise its pinnacle at any election.
"This is not a programmatic mission or one that seeks to elect one party over another. Repubblika strives for the values and aspirations that should be unanimously cherished and respected by all who govern – such is our ambition."
In the coming weeks, the first constituent meeting of Repubblika will be called to adopt the necessary statute and documents to cast the movement.