Saturday, October 26, 2013

MINORITY RIGHTS BEING SIDED AWAY

‘a strong debate would reflect that the Maltese society was "a nation which cared about minorities".
The Civil Liberties Act, she said, was a government commitment to continue "breaking down barriers".
"This is not about gay rights but about human rights. We want to live in a society where every individual enjoys the same rights, with an equal access to opportunities. The point of departure being that we are all human beings," Dalli said.

The ‘Legalize Nudist beaches and topless bathing in Malta’ facebook pressure group commends the government for discussing the civil union bill, however, Hon Dalli, other PL officials and the opposition seem to infer that LGBT are the only minority group in Malta. In our case minister Dalli said that having naturist beaches was not on the PL manifesto!  

Minority groups, include women, disabled people, ethnic and religious minorities, immigrants, gay persons, children, the elderly, hunters and us naturists. We wish that every effort is made to ensure that ALL persons living in Malta TRULY do not become victims of discrimination and political agendas that favour majorities. Sometimes our Constitution gives minorities rights but then our laws, conditions or culture take this away from us! Government needs to ascertain that minority’s fundamental human rights and civil liberties are safeguarded. 

As a pressure group we believe that naturism is a liberating lifestyle and belief which encourages self-respect, respect for others and for the environment, and embodies freedom and a unique sense of communion with nature. It is purposefully non-erotic and non-sexual and engenders a wholesome appreciation of self and others.’  We therefore believe that the government and opposition need not side us away from main minority groups as our right to practice our belief is very valid and accepted worldwide. 

 Similarly other groups such as the physically/mentally disabled and ethnic/migrant/religious groups need urgent discussion and attention. For example, with regards to some female groups various inadequate conditions and situations make them a minority group as they are being dominated by abuse of many forms. For example, ‘seven out of 10 working women claim that their employer does not have an equal opportunity policy at work to avoid discrimination and harassment. One in every 10 women experienced some form of sexual harassment at work but half did not report the abuse or avoided the perpetrator. Only one in three of those harassed said they confronted their abuser’ (http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120116/local/most-women-feel-discriminated.402550).

We encourage the government and opposition therefore to not ‘dwell’ solely on LGBT rights but rather, discuss all minority rights with equal importance and no political gain hunting! This ensures real "breaking down barriers" and fundamental civil and human rights for all. In some instances we are seeing more attention given to animal rights than certain minority groups and this is sad and concerning!


Thank you

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

The Nationalist Party told us that they have enough tourists and that they do not need naturist beaches. In 25 years nothing was really done to help our cause!

This Labour government was very quick to announce 'DOG FRIENDLY' beaches (
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130810/local/dog-friendly-beaches-announced.481553) even if it was not on their electoral manifesto, so we are hoping that 'NATURIST FRIENDLY' beaches would become available too! After all humans are more important than dogs? Are they?



  1.  
    NATURISM AS A CIVIL LIBERTY

    Is naturism a civil right? A Civil Liberty can be defined as a duty not to infringe on the rights of others in their pursuit of life, liberty and happiness. Non sexual nudity as such is a right as history shows us that it was accepted for thousands of years and it was various taboos and stigmas that gave it a bad image.

    For example, Queen Victoria placed a high value on her idea of moral propriety. It was at this point that it became quite unacceptable to be seen in public unclothed, regardless of the reason. This influenced missionaries to distribute clothing to primitive peoples living in tropical climates where clothing was both unnecessary and impractical.After the queen's death in 1901, nudism began to emerge in northern Germany. It gradually spread elsewhere.

    One can argue then that since a few influential persons gave naturism various stigmas, one at present is entitled not to have these taboos infringe on his/her right for naturism. If one is entitled to believe that social nudity is wrong then on the other hand one is entitled to believe and practice naturism as a way of life.

    The Maltese authorities have NO RIGHT to infringe on naturists right to practice this lifestyle. Moreover this infringement is due to fear of losing votes, lack of information and old stupid laws that need to be updated urgently. Citizens should not be made responsible for a government's inadequacy!

    Through a referendum Malta joined the EU believing in European civil rights, culture and economic benefits. The irony is that all of Europe embraces naturism as a choice. Malta thus is not only denying Maltese naturist to practice this belief but also denying this right to the millions of tourists that visit our island every year.

    We believe that the right to practice naturism should be available in all EU countries.
    -----------------------------

    If you liked this argument, please send it to the following Maltese parliamentarians by copying all the email addresses and pasting them on your email 'To' line:

    david.agius@parlament.mt, robert.arrigo@parlament.mt, azzopardi.frederick@parlament.mt, jason.azzopardi@parlament.mt, perit.toni.bezzina@gmail.com, charlo.bonnici@parlament.mt, simon.busuttil@parlament.mt, cbuttigieg08@gmail.com, ryan.callus@parlament.mt, joseph.r.cassar@parlament.mt, robert.cutajar@parlament.mt, mario.demarco@parlament.mt, giovanna.debono@parlament.mt, kristy.debono@parlament.mt, albert.fenech@gov.mt, tonio.fenech@parlament.mt, joseph.fenech-adami@parlament.mt, censu.galea@parlament.mt, mario.galea@parlament.mt, lawrence.gonzi@gov.mt, michael.gonzi@parlament.mt, claudio.grech@parlament.mt, carmelomifsudbonnici@parlament.mt, paula.mifsud-bonnici@parlament.mt, martheseportellipn@gmail.com, clyde.puli@parlament.mt, george.pullicino@parlament.mt, chris.said@parlament.mt, stephen.a.spiteri@parlament.mt, zammf@go.net.mt, carmelo.abela@parlament.mt, chris.agius@parlament.mt, anthony.agius-decelis@gov.mt, evarist.bartolo@gov.mt, owen.bonnici@gov.mt, ian.borg@gov.mt, leo.brincat@parlament.mt, peritcb@gmail.com, stefan.buontempo@gov.mt, lucio74@onvol.net, justyne.caruana@gmail.com, marie-louise.coleiro@gov.mt, helena.dalli@gov.mt, deodebattista@onvol.net, joseph.debono-grech@parlament.mt, falzon.michael@gmail.com, godfrey.a.farrugia@gov.mt, marlenedent@gmail.com, michael.farrugia@gov.mt, chris@chrisfearne.com, roderick.galdes@gov.mt, etienne.b.grech@parlament.mt, louis.grech@gov.mt, jose.herrera@gov.mt, franco.mercieca@gov.mt, joe.mizzi@gov.mt, konrad.mizzi@gov.mt, silvio.parnis@parlament.mt, anton.refalo@gov.mt, joseph.m.sammut@parlament.mt, deborah.schembri@parlament.mt, schembri85@gmail.com, edward.scicluna@gov.mt, george.vella@gov.mt, karmenu.vella@gov.mt, edward.zammit-lewis@gov.mt, manuel.mallia@gov.mt, joseph.muscat@gov.mt, robert@robertarrigo.com,