The truth about the government’s carelessness with regard to its commitment towards children’s needs is being revealed, Labour’s main spokesperson for social solidarity Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca said in a statement yesterday.
The Labour MP said that despite the fact that the Nationalist government has supposedly been giving importance to children’s needs, it is not really addressing them.
She said this in the light of the reasons being given by Commissioner for Children Sonia Camilleri regarding her decision not to accept a second term.
Appointed three years ago, Mrs Camilleri was the first Commissioner for Children. The Labour MP said the commissioner had revealed certain deficiencies that show the government’s lack of enthusiasm to seriously invest in the commission, the aim of which was primarily to promote children’s rights in accordance with the way they are established by the United Nation’s Convention, with which Malta is committed to conform.
It is a real pity that the Nationalist government is to trying to pull the wool over people’s eyes on matters related to children’s needs, said Mrs Coleiro Preca, adding that, unfortunately, this attitude will also deprive children of Mrs Camilleri’s integrity.
Despite the limitations, the commissioner has managed to bring a good number of professionals and specialists in the field to make a contribution to children’s needs without seeking any personal interest, said the Labour MP.
She said the Nationalist government’s lack of commitment is having a strong impact on Maltese society, to the extent that the Labour Party, by means of its draft family document, is placing a strong emphasis on the needs of children.
It is for this reason that the Labour Party is proposing legislative reform, and strengthened and new administrative structures, in order to address the issues that directly affect children.
Children are a priority for the Labour Party and a Labour government will make an effort to provide them with the quality of life that they deserve, said Mrs Coleiro Preca.