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Dec 01 – ERG: “Bossano Must Be Honoured Now Not Later”

“Whether you agree with him or not, or vote for him or not, who can really doubt the very substantial contribution Joe Bossano has made to Gibraltar over more than four decades?” Equality Rights Group (ERG) Chairman, Felix Alvarez, has said in a statement to the press.

The ERG says it does not normally enter into such situations, because of the risk of appearing partisan, but adds that this is "an extraordinary human situation", and one it would undertake “regardless of the individual’s political affiliations”. The group says it “will always be awakened and touched where unfairness may be unaddressed.”

A statement from Mr Alvarez continued: “In the case of Mr Bossano, the injustice goes two-ways. We fully understand that, whether through a sense of modesty or ideology, Joe Bossano may be uncomfortable with being nominated for any kind of public recognition in honour to his work and person. It is understandable, and we appreciate the sentiments from which those feelings may spring.

“Nonetheless, it is clear that a very large number of people in this Community of ours feel deprived of the opportunity to render formal public appreciation for the tenacity, vision, courage and sheer hard work he has for so long given to the interests of the People of Gibraltar. This is testified to by the high numbers who have supported our Facebook call for Mr Bossano’s recognition recently. It is a requisite act of generosity on both parts, to admit an open expression of gratitude and honour, and we urge both Mr Bossano to overcome reticence, and the community at large to come together to persuade him and to bring such an act to fruition in a gesture worthy of our Gibraltarian character. It is unusual for recommendation to honours of any kind to be made public in advance, but we reluctantly break those rules due to the circumstances that apply here.

“For we are fortunate that Mr Bossano, a living testament to the truth that conviction has no age, is still youthfully active in working and contributing to and for Gibraltar, and we trust he will continue as forthright in his new Ministerial term. We, nonetheless call, in fairness to all sides, for us to collectively organize to ensure that awards, honours and appreciation for outstanding service be recognized now when it matters, and not later when it becomes a mere matter of record.

“ERG shall be guided by community sentiment on this issue, but we ask the public for their support in this endeavour as we, in collaboration with others who may come forward, plan the best course of action in this regard,” Mr Alvarez ended.


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