A bill presented in Parliament proposing amendments to the Criminal Code to make hate speech directed towards persons with disability and the elderly a crime, continued to be debated on Tuesday.
The bill was tabled by Inclusion Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli who stated that "more protection was needed for persons with disability and the elderly from hate crimes. Through this bill, police would be given the necessary legal remit to take action against these crimes."
During the second reading of the bill, members from both sides of the House sent a clear message against these crimes, with Nationalist Party MP David Agius stating that the opposition would be voting fully in favour of the government bill.
Farrugia Portelli stated that "if Malta truly wants to be an inclusive country, we cannot fail to implement the necessary laws to protect our citizens from hate. We have to send a strong message as the people's representatives to stand up for people with disability and the elderly."
Examples made by Farrugia Portelli show discriminatory comments on social media directed towards a wheelchair bound person. These amendments would also have an impact on individuals in parliament as Nationalist Party MP Kevin Cutajar was the subject of insults directed towards him based on his disability earlier this year, she said.
Through numerous complaints being made to the Commission for Persons with Disability and the heartfelt experiences shared by individuals to Ministers, the bill was created and presented in parliament in July. After the parliamentary summer recess, discussions resumed.
Farrugia Portelli stated that the bill would make hate speech directed towards persons with disability and the elderly a crime punishable by imprisonment between six months to two years. This would then be increased if injury or blackmail would be caused to the elderly or person of disability.
David Agius said that not only would the Opposition back this bill, but would continue the discussions to provide valuable proposals at a national conference by the PN on Saturday. Agius also called for the bill to include other forms of abuse directed towards elderly and persons of disability such as psychological, physical and sexual abuse.