Vicki Ann Cremona

A week has passed by since Daphne’s funeral was held in Mosta. Those who chose to attend heard a superb sermon from our Archbishop about true justice and repentance, and the evils of hatred, as well as the call to journalists ‘to be servants of liberty and truth’ – short, and very much to the point. The chosen readings, read by Daphne’s three sons, also delivered a strong message. I particularly treasured the first reading taken from Ecclesiastes 3. One of the lines reads: ‘a time to mourn and a time to dance’. None of us felt like dancing, but the reading goes on to state: ‘there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live’. But are we referring to the common good that is of benefit to all, or to what certain individuals would deem good for themselves and their sole personal interests?

A week has passed and we are still very much in the dark with regard to police investigations concerning the murder. Is it because the Police Commissioner is afraid of meeting the press to inform them what the police force is doing, given the mess he made at the last press conference? Or is it because the police have made no advances whatsoever, despite the foreign aid the Prime Minister told us has been solicited? 

The most worrying thing that is occurring is this new rumour that is circulating about the fact that Malta is too small and should be governed by a single party.  This type of dangerous statement shows that the people who utter it are either stupid, indoctrinated, or calculating.  Whatever the case, they are certainly aware that they will have to face a determined bunch of people who will not stand by in silence, but who will resist any and every attempt at infringing democracy .

Proof of this is the fact that the Prime Minister was faced by a delegation of determined women on Wednesday who reminded him of the democratic principles which, because of the office he holds, he is duty bound to defend and uphold. They reminded him of what he is not doing to ensure democracy and the rule of law. They denounced his growing control over all institutions and the current tendency to silence dissenting voices. They reminded him that history will record the legacy he will leave to this country, and that  he is the only one who can determine the kind of legacy that this will be. They also referred to the questionable situation of the leader of the opposition.  

These women are neither witches, nor are they anyone’s stooges. They are not calculating politicians, or public figures either. They represent men and women who will not enter into any discussion about basic democratic principles and who are unhesitant to fight to safeguard them.

Daphne would have been proud of them. We are proud of them.