BirdLife Malta Foresta 2000 ranger Ray Vella was shot on the head while he was inspecting a gate which had been forced open. Zoom In

BirdLife International appalled by new act of violence against conservationist in Malta

15-04-2009

Appeal to Maltese Prime Minister reiterated after the last attack

BirdLife International strongly condemned the last attack against a nature reserve ranger in Malta. In the early morning of April 14th, Ray Vella, working for the “Foresta 2000” afforestation project was shot on the head and his right ear by an aggressor when inspecting the project area in Mellieha. Foresta 2000 is a partnership of BirdLife Malta (BirdLife in Malta), the Parks Department of the Maltese Ministry for Resources and Rural Affairs and Din l-Art Helwa – the National Trust of Malta.

Dr. Clairie Papazoglou, Regional Director of the BirdLife European Division stated: “We strongly condemn this criminal act. The international Partnership of BirdLife expresses its full solidarity and support to BirdLife Malta and to all others who work for nature conservation in a non-violent and legal way”.

"The government must live up to its responsibility to enforce the law and ensure the security of citizens and visitors” —Dr. Clairie Papazoglou, Regional Director of the BirdLife European Division

BirdLife is alarmed by the lack of action from the side of the government: “Over the last two and a half years BirdLife Malta conservation sites, volunteers and staff have been seriously targeted over 20 times. In all these cases no one has been brought to justice”, said Joseph Mangion, BirdLife Malta President.

“Last October the Maltese Prime Minister, Mr Lawrence Gonzi, assured BirdLife International in a letter that all perpetrators are brought to justice” continued Dr Papazoglou. “We finally want to see this happen. The government must live up to its responsibility to enforce the law and ensure the security of citizens and visitors”.

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