Further to the case of the abandoned infant, we are once again conscious of the lack of proper laws which protect the best interest of the child. In most European countries which adhere to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, such a case would be dropped in the lap of a Social Welfare committee, and these in turn would be responsible to find a suitable adoptive family. But in Malta, this is not possible due to the lack of a proper Adoption Act which protects the best interest of the child.

A child needs protection in cases of abuse and this case constitutes one such abuse. Presently, our laws favour hundreds of irresponsible adults whose children are being deprived of a normal family environment. In fact, more than 300 children are being raised by priests and nuns in a number of church institutions. The rights of the child (UN 1989 Convention) are a set of straightforward principles formulated to guarantee a safe and healthy childhood in a stable family, away from all forms of abuse. It is a real shame that in a Catholic society like the Maltese one, our children still lack some vital principles which can only be applied through proper legislation. The Adoption Act is one such piece of legislation which will give Maltese children born of irresponsible adults, the once-in-a-lifetime chance to a proper childhood in a stable family.

Miriam Cassar

Grupp Favur id-Drittijiet tat-Tfal

GFDT (Malta)