Activists held a vigil in remembrance of the prisoners who lost their lives at Corradino Correctional Facility (CCF).
“The reign of terror instituted by former prison director Alex Dalli is a clear factor leading to this loss of life,” the group said. “His resignation, and far less his self-suspension, will not bring these victims back,” the groups stated.
“We remain in the dark about the facts which led to these deaths, despite the internal inquiries that have been launched. Colonel Dalli had also restricted access to journalists and activists, turning Corradino into his own fortress. Without access to Corradino, it became easier for Dalli to run the prisons without any oversight whatsoever.”
Activists are also asking new prison director Robert Brincau to reinstate access to the prisons to both NGOs and media. “Not only will this serve to make the prison administration more transparent, but it would mark a clear departure from Dalli’s horrific methods.”
The coalition of NGOs has also called for a safe and humane environment for prisoners. “We want to see a prison that truly rehabilitates people, not tortures them. Above all, we want to see an end to the system of abuse that was created under Dalli, and prevent any further deaths.”
The groups also noted the start of an inquiry by the independent Ombudsman, and expects Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri to shoulder political responsibility for the findings of this report. “Besides the inquiry led by handpicked personnel, Minister Camilleri should also consider the results of an independent inquiry which the Ombudsman is holding out of his own initiative, following numerous reports of maladministration.”
This event is endorsed by:
Moviment Graffitti
Releaf
The Department of Inclusion and Access to Learning (University of Malta)
KOPIN
Drachma
Studenti Ħarsien Soċjali
Prof. Andrew Azzopardi
Integra Foundation
SOS Malta
aditus
Alleanza Kontra l-Faqar
Office of the Dean of the Faculty of Education
NGOS U AKKADEMIĊI JITOLBU LI JINFETAĦ MILL-ĠDID L-AĊĊESS GĦALL-ĦABS TA’ KORDIN
Grupp ta’ attivisti u akkademiċi ltaqgħu għall-velja “Dinjità fil-Ħabs” sabiex ifakkru l-ħabsin li mietu fil-Faċilità Korrettiva ta’ Kordin fl-aħħar sentejn.
Fi stqarrija, l-attivisti qalu li “l-imwiet ta’ Kordin huma riżultat ċar tat-tmexxija bit-terrur li ħaddan id-Direttur tal-ħabs, Alex Dalli. La r-riżenja tiegħu u wisq anqas il-fatt li ssospenda ruħu m’huma ser iġibu l-vittmi lura.”
“Minkejja l-inkjesti interni li għaddejjin għadna ma nafux eżattament x’wassal għal dawn l-imwiet. Barra minn hekk, il-Kulunell Dalli neħħa l-aċċess tal-ġurnalisti u l-attivisti għall-ħabs u għamel minn Kordin il-fortizza tiegħu. Mingħajr aċċess għall-Kordin, kienet faċli għal Dalli li jmexxi l-ħabs kif irid, mingħajr ebda sorveljanza.”
L-attivisti jitolbu lid-Direttur il-ġdid, Robert Brincau, sabiex jerġa’ jiftaħ l-aċċess għall-ħabs għall-NGOs u l-ġurnalisti. L-aċċess għall-ħabs għandu jiżgura amminstrazzjoni trasparenti u bidu ġdid wara l-metodi orribbli ta’ Dalli.
Il-koalizzjoni talbet ambjent sikur u dinjituż għall-priġunieri. “Nixtiequ naraw ħabs li verament jinvesti fir-riabilitazzjoni tan-nies u mhux fit-tortura. Fuq kollox, nixtiequ t-tmiem tas-sistema ta’ abbużi li rajna taħt Dalli u li ma jkunx hawn iżjed imwiet fil-ħabs.”
Il-gruppi laqgħu t-tnedija tal-inkjesta indipendenti tal-Ombudsman u jistennew li l-Ministru għall-Intern, is-Sigurtà Nazzjonali u l-Infurzar tal-Liġi, Byron Camilleri, jerfa’ r-responsabbiltà politika għar-riżultati ta’ dan ir-rapport. “Minbarra l-inkjesta interna mmexxija minn persunal magħżul minnu stess, il-Ministru Camilleri għandu jqis ukoll ir-riżultati tal-inkjesta indipendenti li l-Ombudsman fetaħ fuq inizjattiva tiegħu stess, wara li waslulu bosta rapporti ta’ tmexxija ħażina tal-ħabs.”
Firmatarji:
Moviment Graffitti
Releaf
Id-Dipartiment għall-Inklużjoni u l-Aċċess għat-Tagħlim (Università ta’ Malta)
KOPIN
Drachma
Studenti Ħarsien Soċjali
Prof. Andrew Azzopardi
Integra Foundation
SOS Malta
aditus
Alleanza Kontra l-Faqar
Uffiċċju tad-Dekan tal-Edukazzjoni
