Greens welcomes settlement between Joanne Cassar and government

Alternattiva Demokratika, the Green Party, has welcomed a settlement between the Maltese government and Joanne Cassar, who retracted her case to the European Court of Human Rights after she was denied the right to marry despite having a change in gender identity legally recognised.

Cassar, a transgender whose identity as a woman was legally recognised by the Maltese courts, was still prevented from marrying by the Maltese marriage registrar.

"Cassar was left with no choice by the previous administration other than to fight for her right to marry for the past seven years. Alternattiva Demokratika has fully supported Ms Cassar's case, meeting her in person, and calling on the government to drop her case and grant her the right to marry without delay," Angele Deguara, AD spokesperson for social policy and civil rights, said.

"AD welcomes the Government's decision to respect Ms Cassar's full rights as a woman, including the right to marry. Alternattiva Demokratika has always been clear in its policies regarding the rights of the LGBT community."

Acting AD chairman Carmel Cacopardo said the Green Party believed that the planned constitutional convention should lead to the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in the article prohibiting all forms of discrimination.

"AD believes that transgender persons should be given full recognition of their new identity without any requirements which go against human rights standards and that the national health services should provide for their treatments and needs just like other citizens. It is important that the Maltese state immediately recognises the gender identity of persons who have assumed a new gender identity and this should be reflected in the person's official documents such as identity card and passport."