Nationalist MP suggests increase in xenophobia ‘not coincidental’

On the occasion of the ‘International Day for the Elimination of Racial discrimination’, the Nationalist Party has called on government to introduce educational programmes and initiatives promoting equality, integration and intercultural respect.

In a statement issued this afternoon, the party’s spokesperson on social dialogue and civil liberties Claudette Buttigieg, said that the PN was concerned with what seemed to be an increase in xenophobic and racist sentiments portrayed on local media portals and social-networking sites.

“This increase is not coincidental,” Buttigieg said. “Political decisions such as the Prime Minister’s proposed ‘push-back’ of irregular immigrants and his, at times, aggressive language use were clearly not a good example to the public,” she said.

“Such discourse only serves to increase the levels of xenophobia,” she said.

Buttigieg said that the ‘National Commission for the Protection of Equality’ and various NGOs had, on more than one occasion, urged government to be ‘more sensitive’ in the way it addressed the issue.

Buttigieg said that the PN was fully committed to the fight against xenophobia and racial discrimination, and will support any initiatives promoting basic human rights.

“These initiatives should form part of a wide consultation and should aim to build on present legislations, implemented during the last legislature, against any form of discrimination, including racism,” she said.