[WATCH] Pro-hunting lobby running campaign of misinformation - Judge Bonello

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Former judge at the European Court of Human Rights Giovanni Bonello said that the pro-hunting lobby was running a campaign of misinformation.

“The idea that this referendum would bring other hobbies at risk, is an outright lie. If the hobbies in question value the constitution and the law, then they have nothing to fear. The constitution safeguards the environment, and as such hunting could never fall into these criteria,” Bonello added.  

Bonello stressed that the pro-hunting campaign was also lying when it stated that other EU countries allowed spring hunting. In the small number of countries where this is allowed, it is only allowed for special reasons like birds that are considered agricultural pests.

“The very word ‘derogation’, implies that special reasons are being given to breach the law,” Bonello said.

“Just because hunting is a tradition doesn’t mean that it should remain there. Not all traditionsa re good,” Bonello pointed out.

 Bonello called the upcoming spring hunting referendum a “triumph of civil society” when delivering a speech on Friday evening at the opening of a fundraising art exhibition in aid of the Spring Hunting Out campaign in Din L-Art Ħelwa.

He emphasized that this is the first time when the public have called for a referendum following a successful petition signed by more than 40,000 Maltese people. Therefore April 11 will be a day to be written in the Malta’s history and urged every citizen to go to polling station and use their vote on that day.

“The pro-hunting lobby has threatened our parties with their votes for years, in order to get their way. That is an abuse of righteous values that democracy provides us. Now is the time to show that democracy is about what the people want for their country, their children and their natural heritage.” Dr Bonello urged people to vote No and not to be scared to do so. “A win for No-vote will not affect other hobbies,” he reiterated his previous affirmation.

He pointed out to numerous artworks around him. “This is an example how hobbies and occupations can be ways of appreciating the beauty of nature. But hobbies that destroy it’s creatures in an unsustainable manner are not acceptable.”

A total of 45 artists have contributed their work in support of a ban on spring hunting. A range of art genres is represented in the collection, including painting, photography, sculpture, cartoons and ceramics. These works of art are mostly contributed from Maltese artists to raise awareness of the need to protect our environment.

The SHout collective exhibition “Artists together to protect birds in spring” will be open to public free of charge for two weeks 14th – 27th March, between 10am – 4 pm, Monday to Saturday.

Artists that participate are Chloe Waterfield, Christopher Saliba, Dorissa Vella, Adrian Mizzi, Alison Zammit Endrich, Andrew Micallef, Anthony Calleja, Cally Higginbottom, Carima Achokwu, Caroline Said Lawrence, Denise Muscat, Diane Agius, Doranne Alden, Emma Pace, Francesca Pratellesi, George Apap, Henry Alamango, Jacqueline Agius, Jeni Caruana, Joe Sultana, Joe Pace Ross, Joe Busuttil Leaver, Joseph Casapinta, Kenneth Zammit Tabona, Kevin Sciberras, Marie Louise Kold, Marika Borg, Marisa Attard, Mary Attard, Matthew Pace, Pam Bonello, Patrick Galea, Rodney Ingram, Shelley Horton-Trippe, Steve Bonello, Villa Bologna, Winston Hassall, Anthony Lucian Cauchi, Gorg Mallia, Liliana Cutajar, Luciano Micallef, Maris Zammit, Salvu.Mallia, Seb Tanti Burlo and Leanne Lewis.