Muscat calls on Commonwealth Summit to address radicalization, says ‘education, work’ key to fight terror groups

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, leader of this year’s Commonwealth host country, urged the heads of government to focus on the fight against radicalization, good governance, equality and climate change during the two-day summit.

“We live at a time where our young generations are being targeted by terror groups. Part of the immediate fight has to be of military nature but, in the long-term, the more powerful weapons are education and employment,” Muscat said.

Delivering the address at the CHOGM opening ceremony, Muscat said the investment in education was also key to address migration whilst helping a country grow economically.

Acknowledging the disenchantment of the two billion Commonwealth citizens, Muscat reiterated that the Commonwealth stood at a crossroad.

“Our organsiation needs to change in order to be part of the future. We need to be more relevant and close to the aspirations of our citizens.

“The Commonwealth should be about the future but we have to be frank with one another and admit that we might have reservations about each other’s actions. Silence doesn’t help anyone.”

He said, that the Commonwealth’s golden days was when it focused on values and not numbers.

“Increase scrutiny form free media. Work on good governance. The removal of time barring of political cases, the Whistleblower’s Act and the regulation of financing of political parties are excellent tools. We have implemented them in a short timeframe,” Muscat said, urging others to do same.

Many Commonwealth countries persist in laws criminalizing homosexuality. A report by the Human Dignity Trust reports that 40 of the 53 Commonwealth member states still criminalise consensual same-sex sexual relations between adults.

“Our priority shoud be quality. We must be appreciative of culture and mindsets but the time is ripe for genuine self-assessment.

“We are still discussing the decriminalization of homosexuality when the debate should be about non-discrimination and equality. We cannot turn a blind eye.”

The Prime Minister also called on the Commonwealth states to be leaders in addressing climate change, ahead of the COP 21 summit taking place in Paris on Monday.

French President Francois Hollande and UN secretary general Ban Ki-Moon will be taking part in today’s climate change talks during the CHOGM’s first executive session this afternoon.