‘In a democracy, the people’s will is supreme’ - SHout

The anti-spring hunting lobby, has reacted to comments made by president of the FKNK Hunters’ Association, Joe Perici Calascione, during a programme aired by the Broadcasting Authority on TVM2.

Calascione said that if the 'yes' movement lost the referendum the Hunters’ Federation would seek legal means to reverse the decision.

Shout said that it finds this declaration “surprising and shocking when one considers that an abrogative referendum is a decision taken by the people, a democratic process undertaken with full respect for the country’s law.”

“Above all, SHout is convinced that the government and any political party will respect the people’s verdict,” the statement reads.

SHout added that this attitude was clear proof that the hunters’ federation had still not grasped the basic concept that in a democracy the people’s will is supreme.

“Perici Calascione argued that hunting birds in spring is justified 'because everything, including birds, must die'. SHout replies that the basic argument is simple: today nobody in Malta hunts birds for sustenance,” it said.

SHout added that all bird hunting in Malta was done purely for fun, and not out of need.

“In today’s world – especially in Europe – the killing of birds in spring is prohibited and illegal. This is why many thousands of Maltese and Gozitans will be voting 'no' on 11 April,” the statement continued.