Following the recent events connected to the apprehension of the alleged mastermind of the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia, I would like to pronounce myself.
A Country comes of age not only when it obtains independence and when it banishes all external military forces from its territory.
A ‘democracy’ grows when it shows that it has the ability to withstand shocks to its systems but is able to deal with them in a just and fair way.
Malta has overcome many challenges in these last 55 years of independence but the events of the last few days seem to have re-ignited every feud and division in our society to a level of escalation not seen for some time. How we handle this moment in history will not only determine our future but our stature as an independent, sovereign nation.
I urge that we allow the course of justice to take place and resist the impulse to make premature statements and to take brash actions.
I appeal for the following:
- that we heed the principles of natural justice which cautions us to listen to each side in a dispute;
- that our institutions are allowed to take the necessary actions serenely, and able to function independently to bring just outcomes without fear or favour.
I do acknowledge that remaining on the fence on the events that happened in the last few days is next to impossible. Having opinions is natural and necessary in our communities but we cannot allow our opinions and interpretations to fuel hatred and violence in any of its forms.
Before all our divisions we remain one Country and the mark of our national ascent into mature nationhood will not be the outcome of these events, even though I am sure they will have a large impact.
The real test we have at the moment is that as a nation we will live out these differences.
I augur that we choose the path of spirited but peaceful dialogue and that justice will prevail.
Prof. Andrew Azzopardi
Dean, Faculty for Social Wellbeing
University of Malta