Women's lobby urges Prime Minister to take action against Debono Grech

The Malta Confederation of Women's Organisation (MCWO) described the Speaker’s tame reaction to Joe Debono Grech’s threat of violence against MP Marlene Farrugia as “incomprehensible.”

Marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, MCWO said “we find it incomprehensible how the threat of physical violence against a woman was taken so lightly in parliament. This gives the wrong message to society on violence against women.”

Noting that the Opposition took an immediate stand against this ruling, the confederation called on the Prime Minister Joseph Muscat to take the appropriate action against Debono Grech as a sign of zero tolerance towards violence against women. 

A Speaker’s ruling on Debono Grech’s threat in the House that he would “beat up” Pullicino delivered a neutered response to the complaint, by stating that no breach of privilege had been called out and by calling on both MPs to take back their words. Farrugia, a former Labour MP, was said to have told Debono Grech that he was “corrupt” during a noisy altercation in the House.

“Inaction and silence on this grave incident mean the condoning of violence against women at its highest level by those who have the responsibility to ensure that gender based violence be effectively addressed and eradicated from Maltese society,” MCWO.