Partit Demokratiku today warned against the attempts to destroy 3,600 square metres of agricultural land for the interests of private pockets, via the proposed extension of the Ta’ Brija Cemetery close to Girgenti.
Aside from the uptake of arable land, Partit Demokratiku highlights that this is against the existing policy as it will adversely have an impact on the water table due to the area's characteristics. The Planning Authority's own guidelines on cemeteries require mandatory geological and pedological surveys. Burials are a matter of public health. Cemeteries are owned and managed either by government or religious authorities and they should remain in their remit.
Partit Demokratiku opposes the privatisation of the dead, including the privatised management of Addolorata Cemetery, which is currently being considered as part of the government's agenda. Addolatora Cemetry and its confines are also a national gem in cultural heritage. We expect that the Superindentent of Heritage to speak up in this regard.
Government should object to this development at PA and any such proposals should be refused. We urge government to adhere to the present direction in cemetries’ ownership. This would certainly increase costs for the general public to the benefit of the private entity. PD also questions how an 1813 burial site has ended up in the private hands of an individual.
Partit Demokratiku said it opposed the commodification of the dead and the continuous attempts to destroy Malta's environment and heritage for short-term economic gain, which benefits a few choice businessmen.