Opposition says government ‘confirmed’ amnesty shortcomings
By not denying several points raised by MP Jason Azzopardi on the amnesty granted to prisoners, government was ‘confirming’ what Azzopardi said, Opposition says.
11 June 2013, 12:00am
Staff Reporter
Staff Reporter
1 min read
Addressing a press conference outside the Corradino prisons yesterday morning, Azzopardi listed a number of 'shortcomings' tied to the amnesty granted by the government. Reacting, the ministry denied the government had promised the amnesty during the electoral campaign.
But its failure to address the other points raised have prompted the Opposition to declare that "no denial means confirmation" of what was said.
According to the PN, the ministry for home affairs was thus confirming that: nine drug addicts who walked out have no obligation to complete the drug rehabilitation programme; the last amnesty following a general election was given in 1996 and government was throwing the country back 20 years; at no point did it consult with NGOs representing victims; amnesty was given to alleviate overcrowding; the amnesty was broad; drug trafficking is not a serious crime.
"Moreover, the ministry did not deny, and thus confirming, that Jason Azzopardi never proposed an amnesty because of a change in government and that the PN never granted amnesty following its election in 1992, 1998, 2003 and 2008," the PN said.
