Prime Minister Robert Abela on Wednesday said that the PL in government still has more to do to strengthen civil rights, especially with regards to the LGBTIQ+ community.
During the opening of an exhibition at the Labour Party's headquarters which marked the progress made in the field of civil rights, especially regarding the LGBTIQ+ community over the past 50 years, Abela said that whenever the PL moved towards changes in this sector, it has always had the courage and people’s support.
Abela said that today they are amongst the top, and while being proud of this, “we will not let anyone tell us that we have done enough. We still have more to do. We will strengthen this principle with more civil rights.”
A PL statement read that in 1973, the Labour government decriminalized homosexuality, which highlighted the PL’s commitment to civil rights and equality.
The exhibition also commemorated a turning point in this progress, which occurred in 2013 with the establishment of the Consultative Council for the LGBTIQ+ community.
The council was formed by activists with the goal of proposing laws in favour of equality, the statement read.
Other significant milestones included the introduction of Civil Union rights in 2014 and the recognition of equal marriage rights in 2017, it said.
“Malta has also been recognized as a leader in this field according to the ILGA Europe Index, especially for its rights and recognition of trans, intersex, and non-binary individuals,” the PL said.
It said that the European Commission and the European Parliament acknowledged the Labour Party's commitment, evident through the first European strategy for LGBTIQ+ individuals and the European Union's declaration as a zone of freedom for LGBTIQ+ individuals.
The PL said that among the recent notable developments are the removal of discrimination in blood donation and legislation prohibiting conversion practices and their promotion.
CEO of the Labour party Randolph De Battista said that while the PL has always been a catalyst for significant civil rights reforms, there is now an obligation to provide guidance and ensure that everyone understands that a society that embraces diversity is a healthier and stronger society.
Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms Rebecca Buttigieg said that the exhibition effectively documents how, since 2013, the Labour party has consistently championed civil rights, bringing them to the forefront of the national agenda while maintaining full respect for the dignity of those who make up the LGBTIQ+ community.
“These reforms are part of the Labour party's legacy and form an integral part of the values of social justice that underpin our society,” the PL said.