Monday 4 March 2013

TVM: Transgender: AD calls on government to withdraw Malta’s submission against Joanne Cassar in Strasbourg

http://tvm.com.mt/news/2013/03/transgender-ad-calls-on-government-to-withdraw-maltas-submission-against-joanne-cassar-in-strasbourg/
2.3.2013; TVM News / Elections 2013 / Featured Videos / Malta / News

[Click on the hyperlink above to watch the videos.]

A delegation of AD representatives, including Chairperson Michael Briguglio, AD candidates Silvan Agius, Robert Callus and Angele Deguara, and Pascal Aloisio.

Following a question received from Celine Falzon during a meeting earlier today, Prime Minister Gonzi stated that PN will introduce gender recognition legislation for transgender persons during the next legislature should it be re-elected in government. He also stated that the reason for which parliament never discussed the transgender recognition private members bill was lack of time.

AD Chairperson Michael Briguglio said, “Not only did the Government fail to progress the legislation that was tabled through a private member’s bill; but it actually fought Joanne Cassar tooth and nail all the way to the Constitutional Court to deny her the fundamental right to marry her male partner. This in spite of clear European Court of Human Rights case-law dating back to 2002 which Malta is obliged to respect.”

AD candidate Silvan Agius said, “The Maltese government is still fighting against Joanne Cassar’s rights in Strasbourg. In fact, in its submission, the Maltese government is challenging the Goodwin & I v. UK judgement through which the court had extended the right to marry to trans persons. In its submission the Maltese government is claimed that Joanne’s birth certificate was only altered to allow her to preserve her privacy, but that the Maltese government continues to regard her as a man in line with the natal sex under which she was recorded.”

In view of the above, Alternattiva Demokratika – the Green Party said that on the one hand the PN government is actively fighting against trans rights, and on the other he is asking trans people to vote for it party during the coming election.

AD also calls on the Maltese government to withdraw its submissions against Joanne Cassar with immediate effect, and remove the legal obstacles against her ability to marry right away.

AD Chairperson Michael Briguglio concluded, “In parliament, Alternattiva Demokratika – the Green Party will table legislation ensuring the recognition of trans people’s gender without unnecessary delays or invasion of privacy, thus living up to the human rights standards of the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, and MGRM’s call for transgender equality.”

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