The Association for Consumer Rights (ACR) said it is greatly concerned about media reports that the government may consider granting Mizieb and l-Ahrax public land for the private use of interest groups. This would deprive the general public from having safe access to these open spaces for nine months of the year.

The Association urges the authorities to uphold their role of guardian of public open spaces for all.  It calls on the authorities to safeguard the right of all the public to safely enjoy public spaces all year round.

Malta is a city-state with one of the highest population densities in the world and with densely built residential areas.  Mizieb and l-Ahrax open spaces constitute some of the few public open spaces available to the general public, many of who live in apartments with no open space.  Given this social and geographical context, the ACR deems that the granting of a significant portion of Malta’s scarce open spaces for private interest group use is not feasible or socially just in Malta.

ACR adds its voice to that of the many other NGOs forming the coalition SpazjiMiftuha.  The ACR urges members of the public to sign the SpazjiMiftuha petition which is calling on the Maltese government to ensure that public open spaces remain public and not hive two of the most beautiful public open spaces for the sole private use of one interest group.