Should English And Maltese Both Be Official Languages In Court? MPs Asked To Debate Sensitive Topic
A parliamentary committee has been asked to debate a petition calling for the English language to be placed on par with Maltese in public services, including the law courts.
“This petition respectfully requests the House of Representatives to amend or introduce appropriate legislation to ensure that citizens can equally exercise their rights and access to public services, including the Judiciary, in either of the official language of the Republic of Malta,” the petition, filed by David Lorenzo Alvarez, reads. “The above is being requested without the prejudice of the status of the Maltese language as the national language.”
“Despite Malta’s economic growth, accession to the European Union and integration within the international markets, citizens and investors alike are not always treated equally when exercising their rights, accessing to public services or to the judiciary if they do not command one of the official languages.”
The Constitution states that Maltese is the language of the courts, but that Parliament may make provisions for the use of English in certain cases.
Indeed, civil and criminal court cases are held in English when the parties involved or the people charged are English-speaking.
The parliamentary petitions committee, chaired by parliamentary secretary for the property market Chris Agius, will now debate this petition and decide on any further action.
According to Parliament’s Standing Orders, the committee can either refer petitions to a Ministry, Department or Authority or another parliamentary committee, or call for a debate on the topic in the House or scrap it entirely.
What do you make of this petition?
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