As pointed out in the leading article of our sister publication The Malta Independent on Sunday, today marks the two-month countdown to the referendum on divorce.

Much has already been said. We have heard well-put arguments from both lobbies: the pro-divorce; and the anti-divorce lobby. Equally, we have seen hysterical arguments and propaganda put out by the wider population.

We said all along that the Church was the first body to come out with a solid position on the matter, and we also said that no one could ever expect the Church to be on-board on the issue of divorce.

We also said that the Nationalist Party was wrong to take a political stand on the issue, especially when also planning a co-habitation law at the same time. The Labour leader has also been praised for his handling of the situation on a political level.

It is also time for this newspaper, The Malta Independent Daily, to declare a stance in favour of divorce as a civil right. Our sister publication has already done so, so we will continue to build on the arguments of the last edition’s leading article.

This newspaper will continue to offer space and time to all those concerned in the debate, and we pledge to report activities faithfully. However, we will reserve the right to give our opinion on the content of the campaigns mounted by both sides.

Divorce as a civil right is long overdue and should be introduced to alleviate the pain and suffering of thousands of families. We respect the religious and social views of those who believe that divorce should not be introduced, but we also call on these same people to respect the basic rights of those who find themselves in an unhappy and unsalvageable situation.

We also do not believe that the introduction of divorce will result in the breakdown of the Maltese social fabric. We believe that it will offer a second chance for people who are suffering. Of course, it will be the children that suffer most, it always is. The author of this leading article speaks from experience when declaring that all sides ought to listen closely to the experiences of children who are stuck in the middle of a broken-down marriage. All sides also ought to listen to adults who have either separated or divorced parents to hear their point of view.

Many are still damaged to this day, and not because of the actual separation, but because of the trauma of living in a household where there is no atmosphere that is conducive to healthy development.

‘Divorce’ already exists for those who can afford to seek one out abroad. There is also the annulment court, which speaks for itself.

With or without divorce, Maltese family and social values are changing. Nothing can be done to stop it. People are getting married and separating, giving rise to cohabitation and children with different surnames to their siblings, who might have a different mother or father.

It is a reality and it is happening. Sitting back and doing nothing about it will not help matters. Divorce, as a civil right, will at least allow people a second chance. More importantly, if a marriage has broken down irretrievably, the children must come first, and a chance at a happy childhood with a ‘new’ family is certainly better than living in a home where there is no love shown between their parents.