.png)
.jpg)
.png)
'Hate speech will not be tolerated’ – Police Commissioner
The police will not authorise demonstrations which propagate hate speech or racism, police commissioner Peter Paul Zammit says.
18 July 2013, 12:00am
Jurgen Balzan
Jurgen Balzan
2 min read
Negative discrimination would not be tolerated and the police will evaluate whether an anti-migration protest planned for 4 August would be approved once a permit application is filed.
"We will not allow any protests that do not abide by the law," Zammit said when asked whether the police will grant the organisers of the 4 August protest permission to hold the demonstration.
While pointing out that the law grants citizens the right to protest, Zammit pointed out that hate speech is outlawed.
"Racism will not be accepted or allowed," he insisted.
Speaking that at a press conference at the police headquarters in Floriana, Zammit explained the work which the force undertook since his appointment at the helm of the police and stressed the importance of renewing the corps.
"The restructuring of the force is underway in order to keep up with the times," Zammit said, adding that the force needed to reorganise itself to face modern challenges.
In the first three months of Zammit's time in office 224 officers were redeployed while 22 former officers are in the process of being reinstated, while he said that there was an ongoing process to promote officers ranging from sergeants to senior staff.
Zammit also said that a general amnesty was issued for police officers who faced minor disciplinary offences.
During the press conference Zammit awarded four officers with a certificate for their bravery in carrying out their duties.
Three officers, Dunstan Camilleri, Norman Xuereb and Simon Schembri were awarded for rushing a pregnant woman About to give birth to hospital, while Micheal Farrugia was awarded a certificate for rescuing a baby who was accidently locked in a car.
"These officers are an example of how police officers should carry out their duties. This is the difference I want to see," he said.
Zammit added that the police were awaiting the results of scientific tests before proceeding with the arraignment of a man who allegedly shot a flamingo in Salina a few weeks ago,
Speaking on the recently launched Rapid Intervention Unit, which merged the Mobile Squad and the Special Assignment Group, Zammit said that the unit had already brought down the time of intervention to the European standard of five minutes and was aiming at bringing down the time the police take to get on scene to three minutes.
Jurgen Balzan was a MaltaToday reported from 2011 to 2017.
•
Calling the Maltese snakes is no hate speech or racism, but if we refer to them as black people is. I ask a simple question. Which one of these statements reflects the truth?
Anthony Galea •
Where was the police commissioner a few days ago when a group of more than 10 persons representing some pro-illegal immigrant NGO's, gathered in front of police HQ with the express intention of illegally blocking traffic such as coaches transporting immigrants to the airport? Surely they could not have had a permit as I believe that 48 hours notice is required for one to be issued.
•
The commissioner is doing his duty and that is to make sure the protest remains peaceful. Now he has to explain to us what the definition of a hate speech is. For instance can the protesters mention the word "push back" or "Push Forward", without being arrested. Can they utter that these illegal immigrants are taking away our livelihood and upsetting our way of life? Can they say that these illegal immigrants are not wanted here and they are arriving here uninvited? Can the protesters say that we are under the strict rulings of the EU and the profitable NGOs, and that our government is dictated to by these organizations? can the protesters holler out loud that enough is enough?
•
I do not want to sound racist, but for God's sake let us be fair to us Maltese. Forty years ago in England there was the same problem more or less very similar to what we have here today. Mr Enoch Powell was already foreseeing what is happening to England today. He was jeered at and labeled as a racist. He used to say that given time the British will be slaves in their own land. And that is what they are today, slaves to the to a hundred and one cultures brought over by the thousands of immigrants who invaded and settled in Britain whether legally or illegally. The settlers grew so fast that today there are places where the white man was edged away to a point that only coloured denominations are visible. The joke in Birmingham is spotting the white man. Given fifty years will the Maltese be edged out of their land to the point of applying the same joke? Some Joke!
•
I fully agree with the Commisioner that all that goes against the law must be stopped. The police permit for this demonstration must be given on these conditions. The organisers must give instructions to participants that this demonstrations must be numerous, yes, but peaceful and orderly. No provocation must be allowed by pro-immigration people. These should hold a demonstration separately. Anybody going against the instructions of the police and the organisers must be "pushed back" i.e. discouraged and asked to go home. However no one has the right to say in advance that illegalities will take place during the demonstration and thus it must be prevented. This would go against democracy especially freedom of expression.
•
Tgħid ser niġu fi stat li jekk titkellem favur id-drittijiet tal-poplu u ta' pajjizek, tista tiġi akkuzat li qed tinstiga mibgħeda razzjali. Nispera li le, għax allura verament inkunu sirna nies bla kexjenza ta' xejn.
•
The police has the duty to pro-actively prevent crime and enforce the law as well as investigate any breach or perceived breach of the laws of the land, irrespective of whether a victim (real or potential)complains or not.
The authorization of any demonstration should be assorted with a clear reminder of outstanding obligations and boundaries as well as penalties at law thereto.
Then it should be left up to the would be protesters to evaluate whether or not to hold the demonstration within the confines of the law.
While the police commissioner should ensure that members of the corps preach by example and does not include elements who preach and practice hate speech, the media should also refrain from facilitating hate speech in abuse of the genuine freedom of speech.
•
I'm concerned about the ability for the police to decide a priori that a protest is going to contain illegal activities and refuse to issue permits. The protest should be permitted, and if any illegalities take place, the police can take action against the individuals concerned.
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it" -- Voltaire
•
Opps poor choice of words by our commissioner. Does it meant that he will be taking our own Prime Minister to task over his statements about his 'push back' plans ?
•
What is the definition of ‘hate’ in Malta?
For that matter, what does ‘change’ or ‘best for the people’ mean in politics or religions?
Why are so many ‘things’ left for interpretation by individuals or groups?
