25th October 2001

Environment groups’ solidarity with Greenpeace

Nature Trust (Malta) and Friends of the Earth (Malta) express their support to members of Greenpeace Mediterranean who face charges in court over a peaceful protest in which enivronmentalsists highlighted government’s inaction on a serious environmental problem.

The groups condemn the police action being taken against activists for their peaceful protest at the St. Luke’s hospital incinerator. The protest served to bring needed awareness and express concern over the grave health risks connected to waste and incineration.

The law is there to protect citizens. The Greenpeace action in no way threatened the protection of the community or individuals.

The real threat has come from the inaction of Government which continues to ignore serious health risks. The Greenpeace action was a peaceful one wherein activists exercised their fundamental freedom of expression.

Government should be called upon to dismiss the legal action, thereby showing political maturity in refraining from victimising environmentalists whose peaceful action was aimed at the national welfare.

Julian Manduca
For Friends of the Earth (Malta)
and Nature Trust (Malta)