Teacher's union calls out courts on ‘unacceptable’ delay in LSA appeal case

The Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) has appealed to the courts to be more sensitive to the people that appear in front of it and the effects proceedings can have on them.

The MUT was referring to the acquittal of Gozitan LSA Karen Mercieca from allegations of sexually abusing an 11-year-old girl with learning disabilities, and the subsequent appeal by the Attorney General. Mercieca’s acquittal came in November 2015, after a four year police investigation as a result of claims made by the girl that Mercieca had touched her inappropriately at the Ghajnsielem Primary School.

“The Union notes with a high degree of disappointment that the appeal has been deferred once again by the Judge – this time to January 2017. This means that this saga on this family and all involved will now go well beyond five years,” the MUT said in a statement.

The MUT lamented over the court’s disregard of the effects such cases have on the individuals involved.

“While the MUT understands that the court has its procedures and priorities, the Union appeals to all stakeholders to realise that this case needs more sensitivity towards the persons involved,” it said. “While deferring cases may be natural and the order of the day for lawyers and persons who are often involved in court proceedings, lay persons who are depending on a court decision to rebuild their life cannot be treated in the same manner.”

The MUT appealed to the courts to be more sensitive to the plight of persons that appear in front of it.

“Five years for one decision is way too long for anybody in a democratic society and there are hardly any excuses that can justify such delays,” it reiterated.

The MUT explained that it has written to education and employment minister Evarist Bartolo and the justice minister Owen Bonnici to intervene “where possible to shorten these time-frames to more acceptable ones”.