From Dr E. Bezzina

Banal political propaganda aside and irrelevant references apart, the letter relating to the above theme (TMIS, 18 November) is a realistic appraisal of a much needed law in our country, namely a divorce law for Maltese and permanent residents (domiciled).

As the legal situation currently stands, there is discrimination blatantly operative in that our Marriage Act (Chapter 225 of the Laws of Malta) recognises foreign divorce decrees and judgements while failing to provide for a local divorce remedy to Malta people who want to dissolve their marriage, a private right that our State must cater for. Religious views and arguments are totally irrelevant. The State is there to serve the interests of all individuals within its jurisdiction.

Because of this discrimination, the Malta Constitution and the European Convention of Fundamental Individual Rights & Freedoms (Chapter 318 of Malta Laws) are being openly violated. The State should be sued for this disservice to its country folk who are thus not being represented. Again, the arguments relating to majority / minority are equally totally irrelevant... after all the other 26 EU Member States all have their own divorce laws irrespective whether those in government concur or not with this marriage dissolution.

Malta must provide a divorce law. The Liberal Alpha Party has long been advocating this through its chairman/founder and current leader.

Emmy Bezzina

VALLETTA