BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

14/11/2006

Working hard for freedom

by David casa

Every year, the European Parliament awards the Sakharov Prize for "Freedom of Thought" to individuals or organisations fighting against oppression, intolerance and injustice. Among the people who won this award, one finds Nelson Mandela, Kofi Annan and the UN. The award is a visible means for parliament to honour and support those who have put themselves at risk in the cause of liberty and human rights.

The prize is named after Andrei Sakharov (1921-1989), one of the leading scientists who developed the hydrogen bomb for the Soviet Union, and who later became an outspoken critic of the nuclear arms race. In 1970, he founded a committee on human rights. His activities did not go unnoticed. In the Soviet Union he was jailed, while in the West he received the Nobel Peace prize in 1975.

The promotion and protection of human rights, democracy and the rule of law is one of the most fundamental of the European Parliament's roles. In 1988, the European Parliament founded this award to offer recognition to achievements made by people and organisations in defending and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The Conference of Presidents of the European Parliament this year decided to award Alexander Milinkevich, the leader of the Belarusian opposition and former presidential candidate, the prestigious Sakharov Prize for freedom of thought. The EPP-ED Group in the European Parliament put this candidature forward.

Milinkevich is the leader of the opposition in the last dictatorship in Europe, Belarus. He is a brave man, who has been willing to put himself at risk in an attempt to bring about change in his country.

On home ground, we have an Opposition Leader who often accuses journalists and the media, although his major gaffe to democratic rights was made a few years ago - and repeated recently - when he declared that the referendum for Malta's accession in the European Union was won by the "No" despite the "Yes" group obtaining 19,466 more votes.

In the past, the Labour Party in government did not protect fundamental human rights in our country. Just a few years before the Sakarhov's prize was founded, Maltese people were struggling against thugs running all over the country threatening people. In the 1980s, Malta had a negative record of accomplishment of violations of human rights among which violation of freedom of expression, including arson on a printing press, incitement to violence, restriction in the choice of education and vandalism on Nationalist Party supporters' homes.

Memories still flash in front of my eyes of police officers using tear gas during peaceful manifestations organised by the Nationalist party. I still remember when the school I went to was closed down on government orders. The infamous murder of Raymond Caruana and the violence in tal-Barrani are other recollections.

Thanks to the Nationalist Party general elections victory in 1987 these nightmares have became memories of the past. Thanks to Nationalist administration, justice and freedom have became an integral part of our society.

Freedom of thought is a right that ensures development in society. Having the right to think and expressing yourself freely, without harming others, is fundamental in a society that believes peace and serenity should be on our forefront in the country's agenda. An agenda that aspires to attract further foreign investment and gear up an economy for a prosperous future. This is only possible to achieve by the Nationalist Party in government under the leadership of Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.

Dr Gonzi proved himself right in regard of the euro as well. This was credited to him by the Opposition Leader when once again he made another U-turn, which we got used to, saying that Malta should keep its plan and join the euro-zone in 2008. Dr Sant keeps changing his position on national and international issues. Both Alexander Milinkevich and Andrei Sakharov, like many others, are good examples to follow. These two people worked hard in what they believed in and suffered imprisonments due to their beliefs. Their biggest achievement is that they did this to assist others.

I feel honoured that the parliamentary group I form part of, EPP-ED, has nominated the winner of this year's Sakharov award. People and organisations managed to win this prestigious award because they worked hard to protect justice and ensure freedom to the people that believed in them. While I congratulate Mr Milinkevich, I hope that his example will be followed even by some Maltese politicians.

David Casa is a Nationalist MEP

Source:

http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=41860