On Tuesday, March 17, the Maltese author Alex Vella Gera was informed that he was going to be arraigned in the Maltese courts for his role as author of a a literary text in newspaper ‘ir-Realta’ (Reality) that was deemed obscene by Maltese authorities. In the past days, the editor of the said newspaper, Mark Camilleri, was arraigned in court.
The European Green Party condemns the behaviour of the Maltese authorities and strongly deplores the fact that the authors of literary works (whether of value or not is immaterial) are prosecuted in Maltese law courts
It is unacceptable that in a democratic European society authors are persecuted for their literature. This attitude is reminiscent of authoritarian and confessional societies, and should be immediately stopped and withdrawn.
Arraignment of such persons is not only a breach of individual rights but an anachronistic legacy which can be used arbitrarily to repress artists and minorities whose lifestyle or opinions do not conform to the views of dominant institutions. In the past weeks Malta has seen an increase in attempts to censor artists and minorities.
The European Green Party holds that rather than arraigning artists, the Maltese authorities should focus on the battle 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.
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