With reference to the front page report in The Malta Independent on Sunday of 22 October concerning the nomination of a Maltese Judge to the European of Human Rights, in which I was named as an applicant together with Dr Tanya Vella Licari, please note that I had only received a formal acknowledgment of my application from the government and no further response was given.

I was therefore concerned to read that the government considered that I “did not have enough competence in human rights”, although the newspaper Kullhadd which ran the story on 8 October used the phrase “experience” in lieu of “competence”.

Be that as it may, my qualifications, competence and experience do match those of current members who sit on the European Court at Strasbourg.

I would have expected a more ethical approach by the government on this matter and do now ask, once the Council of Europe does insist on a female nominee, why is government still dragging its feet on this matter?

Lorraine Schembri Orland