10 years ago, PL 'was against PN proposal to increase penalties on offences against public officers'
Ten years ago, the Labour Party was against increasing the penalties for people who are convicted of offences against public officers, the Nationalist Party said Wednesday.The party, through its spokesman Darren Carabott, was reacting to the governme
Ten years ago, the Labour Party was against increasing the penalties for people who are convicted of offences against public officers, the Nationalist Party said Wednesday.
The party, through its spokesman Darren Carabott, was reacting to the government's proposals to increase the punishments that can be inflicted on offenders.
Today, the Minister for Home Affairs, Security, and Work Byron Camilleri announced the amendments the Labour Government will present to increase penalties for anyone who commits an offence against law enforcement officers, the PN said.
The Partit Nazzjonalista has already publicly stated its support for this measure, as it did ten years ago when the PN itself presented a bill in Parliament to raise the minimum penalties in such cases - but the Labour Government argued against it, allowing the possibility of lesser penalties through probation and suspended sentences, rather than prison sentences.
The Partit Nazzjonalista reiterates its support for legal protection by raising penalties for anyone who commits an offence against law enforcement officers - but not only that. We must ensure that resources are increased, as well as the number of officers in the Police Force, to address the current challenges. At the same time, we should improve conditions to invest in the members of the Force, while launching a recruitment campaign. These are present shortcomings left by Minister Byron Camilleri.
The PN also emphasises the need to restore a sense of certainty regarding consequences when the law is broken. Unfortunately, Police Commissioner Angelo Gafà has allowed a climate of impunity for certain individuals.
The Partit Nazzjonalista also reminds that these amendments - due to the fact that the Labour Government did not accept the PN's proposal ten years ago - will not apply to pending cases currently before the courts, owing to the principle of retroactivity, which favours the accused when a lesser penalty applies. The bill in question was presented by the PN through a Private Members' Bill back in 2013 by lawyer Jason Azzopardi, when the Labour Government - some of whose members are still the same MPs in government today - argued against what they are saying now.
A new Nationalist Government will be proactive and make long-term decisions for the benefit of law enforcement officers, as well as for the benefit of Maltese society as a whole.
We need a government that plans, not one that just reacts.
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