At a press conference held today Saturday 14th May 2011 at the Upper Barakka Gardens in Valletta the group “Le B’Rispett Lejn il-Ġejjieni” was launched.
The group is made up of a number of youths representing the diversity within the Maltese society. Flanked by students, workers, adolescents and older youths Andrea Pace, the group’s main spokesperson, addressed the press conference on behalf of the group. He stressed the group was united in the common belief that society will not be better off with the introduction of divorce.
Why say no to the introduction of divorce?
The group insisted that it saying no because it believes that the best recipe for marriage is one that promotes a stable society where marriage is based on permanency.
The group further stated and recognized that it is indeed true that the breakdown of marriage causes much pain and hardship but explained that the introduction of divorce will not serve to alleviate this pain and hardship in any way but rather will lead to an increase in the breakdown of marriages. The group further stated that once the marriage bond is allowed to be dissolved as if it never happened, this would lead to the model of marriage based on fidelity and permanency to change.
The Question put to the voter
In the press conference Andrea Pace on behalf of the group continued by explaining some points of the proposal put to the Maltese voter. He explained how:
1. The current proposal opens the door for unilateral divorce meaninig that in the case of one part not wanting divorce and the other wanting it, then the want of the one part will be enough for the attainment of divorce.
2. There is no limit on the number of times one can attain divorce and hence one may attain divorce more then once.
3. The question gives the impression that certain guarantees may be given whilst experience would amply show otherwise.
4. The group further explained how the introduction of divorce will lead to a new form of poverty. This in the fact that the parties afflicted with divorce will not neccessarily have the neccessary financial independence and thus will require further social assistance; assistance which will have to come from the state. This also serves to completely undermine the argument that divorce will only have personal effects.
Andrea Pace, speaking on behalf of the group, further explained that it is already quite difficult to raise one family and hence raising two families requires extreme financial stability. The group hence asked what steps would be taken to ascertain that children are given a proper life during such crucial development years, something which at the end of the day is their right.
Conclussion
The group concluded by explaining how no statistic has ever proved that divorce strenghtens marriage and the family. On the other hand the experience of other countries has amply shown that the introduction of no fault divorce saw a rise in the marriage breakdown rate.
The group quoted “LIBERTAD GONZALES and TRJA K. VITTANEN: The Effect of Divorce Laws on Divorce Rates in Europe, in IZA Discussion Paper 2023 (March 2006)” where one finds written, “the combined effect of all the legal reforms that took place in Europe between 1960 and 2002 amount to about 20 per cent of the increase in divorce rates in Europe during that period”.
Andrea Pace, speaking on behalf of “Le B’Rispett Lejn il-Ġejjieni” insisted that the group believes that the introduction of divorce as currently proposed will leave more negative consequences than positive ones. The introduction of divorce will have a direct impact on the quality of life of those who do not have a voice. “Child surveys come too late after the legistation of divorce” . Pace concluded by explaining, “this is why we are appealing to all voters to respect the future and vote no”.
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