It was only a matter of time before the hunters slipped up. They claim that the majority of them are law-abiding and non-violent (a bit rich, when you claim a passion for killing things with a gun), but there’s no doubt that there’s a pretty violent minority within their ranks and they don’t respect freedom of expression or the rule of law.
Yesterday, the ‘No’ campaign (I’m uncomfortable with the name Shout, sorry about that) held a press conference in Birkirkara, out on the street, and I was glad to see that it was fronted by the peaceable and media-friendly Mark Sultana instead of the irascible, hysterical and widely off-putting Saviour Balzan. Whether it was his choice or theirs is another matter; the main thing is that he was off camera. But the No campaigners were set upon by hunters and their friends as they tried to distribute leaflets publicising the arguments why it is important for us to all go out and vote against shooting birds in the breeding season.
A young woman campaigning for the No vote was harassed by a hunter. People stepped in to try and calm things down, but meanwhile other pro-hunting individuals got hold of the No campaigners’ leaflets and set fire to them in front of the church. There’s a lot of anthropology going on there – lovely case study – but we’ll leave that aside or things will get complicated.
Mark Sultana told this newspaper that this sort of bullying and harassment is intolerable in a democratic environment (obviously) and the hunters have to respect that this is a democratic process. People should be free to discuss the matter without fear of intimidation, he said. Well, the trouble is that we’re dealing with people who by their very nature, and the nature of their ‘hobby’, think that might is right. If you have a gun and you are bigger than a bird, you can kill it. Why not? Nature provides wild birds to be shot by man and so on. There’s no reasoning with people who have no reason. Arguments about not killing birds when they are breeding go right over their heads – they have reduced this issue into one of hunting or not hunting, plain and simple. The breeding season issue is conveniently set aside, though it is the crux of the matter, which is why the referendum is on hunting in spring, only, and not on hunting in general.
Others should speak out
Giovanni Bonello is one of my dearest friends, and his commitment to the No vote in the referendum on spring hunting only serves to endear him to me further (apologies if this embarrasses you, Vanni). As a former long-time judge in the European Court of Human Rights, his opinion carries a great deal of weight, though in a Xarabank-all-opinions-are-equal atmosphere some might not think so.
The hunters’ lobby has threatened the political parties for years and got its own way, Judge Bonello said at the opening of an art exhibition organised by Din l-Art Helwa. “That is an abuse of the righteous values which democracy gives us. Now is the time to show that democracy is about what people want for their country, their children and the natural heritage,” he said. “Vote ‘No’ and don’t be afraid to do so. A win for the No vote will not affect other hobbies and pastimes. Hobbies that destroy nature’s creatures in an unsustainable manner are not acceptable.”
If only more Important People would follow his example and speak out on the matter. They did so on the issue of European Union membership, and they need to face up to their civic responsibilities and do the same now. With the privilege of a high profile (though a high profile is not necessarily a good thing) comes the duty to use it to promote the cause of the common good. There is no doubt what the common good is in this case: protecting birds, all wild birds, during the spring when they are mating, laying eggs and all-round breeding. L-ghasafar taghna lkoll (The birds belong to all of us).
Judge Giovanni Bonello called the upcoming spring hunting referendum a "triumph of civil society" when delivering a speech last night at the opening of a fundraising art exhibition in aid of the Spring Hunting Out campaign in Din L-Art Ħelwa.
He emphasized that this is the first time when the public have called for a referendum following a successful petition signed by more than 40,000 Maltese people. Therefore, he said, 11 April will be a day to be written in the Malta's history and urged every citizen to go to polling station and use their vote on that day.
"The pro-hunting lobby has threatened our parties with their votes for years, in order to get their way. That is an abuse of righteous values that democracy provides us. Now is the time to show that democracy is about what the people want for their country, their children and their natural heritage." Dr Bonello urged people to vote No and not to be scared to do so. "A win for No-vote will not affect other hobbies," he reiterated his previous affirmation.
He pointed out to numerous artworks around him. "This is an example how hobbies and occupations can be ways of appreciating the beauty of nature. But hobbies that destroy it's creatures in an unsustainable manner are not acceptable."
A total of 45 artists have contributed their work in support of a ban on spring hunting. A range of art genres is represented in the collection, including painting, photography, sculpture, cartoons and ceramics. These works of art are mostly contributed from Maltese artists to raise awareness of the need to protect our environment.
The SHout collective exhibition "Artists together to protect birds in spring" will be open to public free of charge for two weeks 14 - 27 March, between 10am - 4 pm, Monday to Saturday.