Image: Active & Responsible Citizenship competition Category 2 finalists – Artwork by Jake Saunders, Heikel Makhlouka, Brandon Mifsud, Kieran Caruana, Jean Zammit, Morgan Zammit, and Denzel Marquett from the Guardian Angel School, Ħamrun

The Citizen’s Freedom

Sandro Ruotolo, member of the European Parliament, who came to Malta at least twice at the invitation of Repubblika, reminded the assembly of Giovanni Falcone’s mission: to pursue the money and see where it goes, because the mafia does not fear prison, but it is scared of losing any opportunity to make money. Our experience has taught us that mafia people deceive both through legal and illegal means. And silence those who denounce them.

In Malta, we have many examples of money that was made by deceitfully using legal ways so that those robbing the state could put large amounts of money into their pockets at the expense of those people who pay their taxes honestly. It is needless to recall the corrupt story of Vitals, that of Electrogas, or even the way certain “allowances” given to certain civil service employees which raise their salaries to disproportionate levels, whereas others have to subsist on the low salaries they receive at the end of every month.

The ways in which the Maltese people have been cheated was not brought out by the police. The first person to reveal this robbery was hardly believed by some, but others followed her blog because they realised that she was telling the truth. Daphne Caruana Galizia gave new life to investigative journalism, where other courageous journalists have followed her example in uncovering scandal upon scandal of corruption and greed at the expense of people of good will in this country. It is after her death that we, Repubblika, were formed, when we realised that the authorities were trying to make us forget her cruel death.

This week, Robert Abela spoke of abuse by a “small clique” which he wishes to silence by bringing back the charge of criminal libel. My question is: Why does he want to silence them? What does he find inconvenient in what these people say, or in the way they attract public attention to the mire that certain politicians wallow in at the expense of the people, that is, at my and your expense?

This week too, about 150 children and young adolescents received an award by Repubblika because they wrote about the theme “I care”. I am going to quote short excerpts from the winners of the competition, as an example of children and youths thinking about the idea of freedom:

“We are duty bound:
…to participate in demonstrations and community-led actions to make pressure on decision makers;
…to protect people who take a public stand in national matters
…to speak up and defend the values of justice, fairness, safety and freedom to have a better society”

C Caruana (year 9)

“In my opinion, democracy is the possibility for every citizen to have the right to express their opinion, to choose their leaders, and above all, to be respected”

M Stafrace (year 8)

“Diversity of thought and expression enriches the public debate, leading to better-informed decisions and policies that reflect the needs and aspirations of the entire community”

K Spiteri (Junior College)

“The bedrock right to popular sovereignty – having the government in touch with the people, is acknowledged by all but appreciated by some; the right to political participation – having the people in touch with the government – is acknowledged by some and appreciated by few”

J Vella (De la Salle Sixth Form)

Freedom of thought, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of assembly for a just cause are freedoms that define a country as democratic. Neither Robert Abela, nor parliament, nor anybody has the right to suppress them if Malta is to continue to be defined as a democratic country. And we, the small group of Repubblika, will continue to fight for these freedoms in every sphere: speech, writing, and even courts wherever necessary.

Vicki Ann Cremona
President