Church schools want final step of Human Rights and Equality Commission Bill delayed for consultation

The Church Schools Association has asked for the final step in Parliament on a Bill proposing the establishment of a new Human Rights and Equality Commission to be delayed in favour of more consultation taking place on it. Malta is set to establish its first National Commission for Human Rights and Equality under a new bill which the government says will strengthen protection against discrimination. The Bill was tabled in Parliament by Equality and Civil Rights Minister Rosianne Cutajar last Tuesday. The PN has welcomed the concept, but criticised the government over what they said was a lack of consultation and insufficient safeguards guaranteeing the institution's independence. In a statement on Monday, the Church Schools Association said that the Church’s educational institutions “have always been committed to promoting the dignity of every human person and to fostering communities where respect, inclusion and the fundamental rights of all are upheld.” “Catholic schools have long worked to ensure that every student, educator and member of staff is treated with dignity and fairness,” the association said. “At the same time, the proposed legislation raises important questions that deserve careful consideration, particularly regarding its potential implications for the constitutional and legal rights of Church schools to preserve and promote their distinctive Catholic ethos and mission,” it added. The Church Schools Association said that it is therefore concerned by the “unnecessary speed” with which this important legislation is being considered, immediately before Parliament’s summer recess. “Legislation of such constitutional and societal significance should not be rushed through Parliament without allowing sufficient time for detailed study, meaningful consultation and informed public discussion. This is even more important as the present draft seems to have generally ignored crucial aspects of previous lengthy consultation processes related to this legislation,” the association said. It said that Church schools have...