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Jun 20 – ERG Launches Gibraltar Report

The Equality Rights Group (ERG) this morning launched its ‘Gibraltar Report’ – a booklet with a series of reflections on topics like abortion, drugs, the media and sexual health.

The group sees the booklet as setting out the main areas it wishes to explore in its five year plan and as a stimulus to a wider debate in Gibraltarian society. It also contains commissioned essays by Gilbert Licudi, QC, the Minister responsible for Justice, Keith Azopardi, QC, Frederick Martin of Unite the Union, and Robert Vasquez, QC.

Mr Alvarez, the group’s Chairman, said: “In three days’ time we are faced with what could be a major shift in our circumstances, when we, along with the UK, vote to either stay in the EU, or to leave it. We continue to urge all Gibraltarians to vote to stay IN the EU, but even more so today following the commitments recently shown by UK Prime Minister David Cameron here in Gibraltar itself.

“Nonetheless, we are surrounded by many uncertainties wherever we look: political instability over the border, incursions into BGTW, economic crises that don’t go away, wars destroying innocent people and peace in the world, virulent and exploitative terrorism, continuous waves of fleeing refugees, threatened pandemics, and so many more. All of them affect us, one way or another. We are not a peninsula unto ourselves.

“It is in this climate of multiple uncertainties that ERG publishes ‘From Town to City’, a series of reflections on the key importance to the stability of Gibraltar of civil society, equality, human and civil rights within the wide context of our Gibraltarian identity and nationhood. This Report speaks to both the present and the future, and we dare to touch on subjects too often put aside: abortion, sexual health, the right to die, the media, defamation law, and drugs, amongst others. And we do so in the context of what is happening today, here and now, and all around us. Free thought and speech are never to be feared. Lively dialogue and discussion are what make for an open and developing democracy and People, and in ERG it has always been our challenge and our obligation to encourage and foster them. It is the best way to ensure security and prosperity.

“It is time for us to be aware that while we build and grow Gibraltar we’re also inevitably constructing the State. A more complex and sophisticated social fabric than ever before, along with its pluses and inevitable minuses.

“Now is a time not only to build Gibraltar physically, with new marinas, new offices, residential blocks, car parks, open spaces, and stadiums; it’s also a time to open up to the kind of creativity and working together so many Gibraltarians in so many distinct fields are demonstrating day by day in sport, in the arts and civil society; anywhere where minds get together and work positively for the common good. 

“We are particularly grateful to and proud of having brought important voices to the table to add their own, separate and distinct thoughts alongside ours: the Hon Gilbert Licudi, Minister responsible for Justice, Keith Azopardi, QC, Frederick Martin of Unite the Union, and Robert Vasquez, QC. Their contributions are intelligent, insightful, and worthy of sound and proper consideration.”

The publication is being distributed widely within Gibraltar (a digital copy can be downloaded from the ERG website at www.equalitygib.org). It is also being distributed internationally to key political figures within the UK Government, to British political parties, the Westminster Parliament, the British Unions, the European Union, the Council of Europe and the United Nations. International human rights organisations and key international activists are also in receipt. While stocks last, anyone who contacts the ERG requesting copies will also be provided at no cost. 

Pic: Chairman Felix Alvarez (right) with ERG Secretary Charles Trico.



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