The Malta Women’s Lobby on Thursday called on the government to withdraw the proposed planning reform bills and legal notices urging for citizens’ right to challenge unfair planning decision to be protected “without fear of reprisal”.
In a statement issued after Times of Malta revealed how one of the controversial bills is poised to change, the MWL said the proposed legislation “would hand unprecedented control of our country to developers while punishing law-abiding citizens”.
Bill 144 is expected to be amended, returning the appeals deadline to the original 30-days limit and dropping provision that would have allowed developers to move ahead with works if tribunals and courts did not decide on appeals within stipulated time limits.
The lobby group called for a planning system “that safeguards our environment, our communities, and future generations”.
“We believe that any legislation that strips citizens of their right to seek justice and appeal unfair decisions is fundamentally unjust and harmful to society. These proposed reforms threaten not only our environment but also the very democratic safeguards and rule of law that protects us all,” MWL said.
They warned that, if the bills are passed, the laws “will silence the voices of citizens”.
“Such reforms are designed to discourage civic participation and place ordinary, law-abiding people in an impossible position—unable to defend their communities against the interests of powerful developers,” the group added.
Students for Liberty also joined the call for Bills 143 and 144 to be “carefully reviewed” saying that despite the suggested amendments to appeals, the bills will still “greatly limit” the process.
“Any reforms to Malta’s planning system must be accountable, transparent, and protect the rights of all citizens, ensuring that property rights and rule of law are upheld for everyone, not just the powerful,” SFL president David Briguglio Brown, said.
A national protest, led by Moviment Graffitti, is scheduled to be held on Saturday in front of the Law Courts from 10am.