8 December
Following a football match at the Victoria Stadium at the weekend, the GFA has found it necessary to issue a statement about what they call 'spectator aggression.' They add that it involved "violence and aggression from spectators towards match officials."
The statement said on 6th December: "The Gibraltar FA is aware of a series of incidents which unfolded yesterday evening after the game between Lincoln Red Imps FC and Europa FC, involving violence and aggression from spectators towards Match Officials.
"We operate on the principle that the essence of football is to promote enjoyment, fairness and above all, unite the community with our common love for the beautiful game. As such, we strongly condemn violent and aggressive behaviour of any kind, and will not tolerate such behaviour in any capacity whatsoever.
"We will conduct a full investigation into the matter and clamp down on those responsible for these incidents to ensure these scenes are never repeated on or off the field of play."
Meanwhile, Europa FC said the following: "It has come to our attention that some fans confronted tonight's ( December 5th) officials at the pitch gate. Europa FC totally condemns this behaviour. This is not a reflection of the values the club holds dear. To all our fans old and new: Please do not gather at the pitch gate again. Show your passion in the stands where it belongs. Thank you."
08-12-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
Makes sense for Gibraltar to look at Plan B in the event of Brexit
December 08, 2015
Dear Sir,
It was interesting to read Leo Olivero's comments about the economic potential of the Commonwealth for Gibraltar given that, for economic and geopolitical reasons, the need for access to the European single market is arguably greater for the Rock than it is for the UK.
There is no denying that there are Commonwealth countries like India, Nigeria and Malaysia where there are high rates of economic growth, but the same could be said of non-Commonwealth countries like China, Brazil and Indonesia. Indeed, British trade links with Argentina were once so strong that the country was nicknamed the 'Sixth Dominion', despite the lack of a shared language and legal system, but the Falklands War and the creation of the Mercosur regional trade bloc have put paid to that.
If Namibia and Botswana now import as much from other Commonwealth countries as they do, it is largely because South Africa, their largest neighbour and trading partner, rejoined the organisation in 1994. Zimbabwe has since withdrawn from it, but its trade links with South Africa remain unaffected. Malaysia once considered leaving the Commonwealth too, but it would remain one of Singapore's main trading partners for reasons of geography - and both countries are members of ASEAN, the regional grouping now moving towards a Free Trade Area.
As for India, Commonwealth trade links owe more to the Indian diaspora in Asia, Africa and Europe than to the British Empire, and not only is Gibraltar small to begin with, but its Indian population is a drop in the ocean.
It makes sense for Gibraltar to look at a Plan B in the event of Brexit, but the idea of the Commonwealth being a trade bloc again is a fantasy which has even less to offer the Rock than it does the UK, which is likely to be a sea-girt Switzerland, with Gibraltar a sunburnt Liechtenstein.
Regards
Ken Westmoreland
08-12-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
Statistics That Should Shame - Domestic Violence in Gibraltar Trebles in Less Than Two Years
December 08, 2015
There can now be little doubt that together with 'Drug and Alcohol' abuse Gibraltar is also in the grips it seems of another potentially serious social problem 'Domestic Violence'
A Social Problem Hidden Away in Seemingly Happy Homes
Domestic violence is tormenting the lives of many of our families. For far too long this social problem has been a crime hidden away behind the front doors of seemingly happy homes. It can happen in any family and in any kind of home. Whatever form it takes, domestic violence is rarely a one-off incident but is usually a pattern of abusive and controlling behaviour through which the perpetrator seeks power over the victim.
The general perception is that the great majority of incidents are by men against women, but men are also the victims.
More disturbingly, children to often find themselves in the middle and invariable are hurt and mentally affected. Even when children do not see the violence happening, they often hear it, and this can be extremely distressing and disturbing for them. There are also other vulnerable members of the family like the elderly, who may find themselves subjected to abusive behaviour.
Figures Treble in Less Two Years
Official figures available on the Government website although the source is the RGP clearly shows that domestic violence cases has soared in less than two years and is obviously a growing social problem of concern:
· In 2013 there were 55 domestic violence cases reported to the police
· Then in 2014, this shot up to 177 similar cases reported to the RGP
· Now in 2015 and only up to the 2 November there are already 166 domestic violence cases recorded in Police occurrence books
What the data represents and confirms, is that in less two two years and only taking into account those cases reported to the police, highlights that domestic violence has not only trebled, but there is an average of some 15 domestic violence incidents each month brought to the attention of the RGP, figures that are still rising!
However, the operative words are the 'reported cases to police' as there is reason to believe there are many more cases that go unreported then those that officially come to the attention of the authorities.
RGP a Robust and Tough Domestic Violence Policy
A Police spokesman informed Panorama that the "RGP have a robust domestic violence policy with little latitude for discretion on the part of the officer. In cases where there is evidence of violence the arrest of the offending party is the likely outcome of police intervention, and the victim's views in terms of a prosecution are given much less weight than in other cases. In other words if there is evidence to charge, the RGP policy is to charge the alleged offender regardless of whether the victim no longer supports the prosecution".
The Police also created the 'RGP Safeguarding Unit' that has the responsibility for investigating crimes of child abuse and domestic violence, supported by the Neighbourhood Policing Unit, it allows the RGP to prioritise the identification, protection, support and response required by those vulnerable criminal abuses of this nature. The RGP also work closely with Social Services, which is vitally important.
Government Introduces Various Initiatives
The Governments response led by Minister Samantha Sacramento have undertaken a restructure of the services creating the 'Children and Families Services', which is made up of a number of different Services providing for children and their families when in need.
The idea is that "early Intervention works" and helps avoid family breakdown, criminality, domestic abuse, and substance misuse amongst others.
As part of the restructure of the service, the Government also introduced a duty team to deal with initial referrals to the service. Social Services also began programmes to deal with domestic violence affecting both female and male victims of abuse.
Importantly, a database was developed to gather information on referrals received. The database for domestic abuse within families has highlighted families where this problem is a common occurrence and intervention is required. Training has also formed part of the new and improved service by social services where social workers and the agency's psychologist have attended training programmes in the UK.
The government through Social Services are clearly looking at empowering young girls and women in different ways by adopting a cohesive domestic violence strategy. As stated previously, while domestic violence can apply to men as well, statistics show that this predominantly affects women.
But with an average 15 D/V cases reported to the police every month and many more for whatever reason, which go unreported. It is obvious much more needs to be done by all, to at least lower the disturbing trend, which is not doing society any good at all. Statistics clearly reflect this, with the ages of people falling victims to domestic violence ranging from 7 to 85 years of age.
Unfortunately, domestic violence is a way of life for many women and families.
I have penned in Panorama various similar reports over a number of years regarding the issue of domestic violence and violent crime itself. In fact, crime figures in the area of violence have reached new-recorded levels.
Invariably, in many cases of violence and domestic violence cases there is often one common denominator 'Alcohol-Drugs' or both, this is a fact!
One cannot for example, eradicate what is termed as gender-based violence any more than one can eradicate violence itself. All violence is evil and it can only be overcome by the promotion of good. The law against violence exists regardless of the gender of the person who commits violence. What's needed more is a far greater intolerance of the law towards violence!
Domestic violence is a direct attack on the woman/man's dignity and a violation of basic human rights. The issue is not just a private family problem to be kept behind closed doors…but a public issue that gives rise to many other societal problems!
Impact on Society
Believe or not, the situation also leaves a very significant impact on various sectors; it has repercussions on the Rocks financial resources, mainly in areas of expenditure in relation to 'health, housing, education, employment, social services and enforcement amongst others'. It also breeds violence and crime in all its forms.
Some men still believe that women are their property and that they have a right to control lives - even if it means in extreme cases like taking that life. Domestic violence is not a crime of passion. It is the choice of one more powerful person to exert his power over a more vulnerable one; it's as simple as that!
Two hundred years ago it was taken for granted that the phrase "all men are equal before God" included women. Its author did not feel the necessity to say all men and women were equal before God. Today, such political incorrectness would not do at all. The campaign for gender equality has become too important to allow in modern societies loose talk like that on the subject.
We are taught that whatever goes on between husband and wife is nobody's business. The latter may be true, but the moment one-person subjects their partner or member of family to any form of abuse - it becomes society's business and 'interfering' becomes our duty!
08-12-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
Time is ripe to increase our links wih Britain
December 08, 2015
Dear Sir,
There have been reports and comments in your pages and in other media advancing hypothetical ideas as to what could and should happen if Britain were to leave the EU and what consequences this would have on Gibraltar's economic framework as it stands today.
It is said that the GOG is still to complete a study into the economic impact on Gibraltar of Britain leaving Europe and that it has been exploring the possibility of Gibraltar joining Schengen even if Britain opts out of the EU
But one newspaper(Panorama) has doubts as to what are the real benefits of such a move and also of joining the customs union, it also adds that there is a school of thought that Gibraltar should do nothing that, directly or indirectly, might make it easier for Spain to swallow Gibraltar.
Our Movement, the Gibraltar in Westminster Movement agrees with this school of thought, in fact we go further and hold that the time is ripe for Gibraltar to increase its links with Britain, it is not enough to be Full British Citizens without the Right to be a Region of Britain without Representation in Westminster.
We consider that the Link between the UK and Gibraltar would be strengthened in a tangible and visible way thereby giving Gibraltar greater International security.
Therefore a vote at Westminster as a Region of the UK for Electoral purposes would be a positive move.
There is no reason why this should not be the 'Ticket' for our Self Determination Call, a call that has been bandied about for years.
When the case was won by Ms Mathews that Gibraltar should have a vote in the European elections and the issue was debated in the House of Commons no less than SEVEN UK MPs vociferously supported this proposal at the time significant saying that "It was time that Gibraltar had a voice in this HOUSE, House of Commons".
We propose that Gibraltar should continue to have an Autonomous status enjoying the Devolved Powers obtained in the 1969 and 2006 Constitutions, and to be a Region of the UK for electoral purposes. It is important that GOG acts soon on this issue.
The Movement says that their aim is to have a closer and stronger link that identifies Gibraltar with the United Kingdom, that it is a question of Parliamentary equality that makes Gibraltar's political evolution more transparent and real.
Joe L. Caruana
For Gibraltar in Westminster Movement.
08-12-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
Visit of MEPs' assistants
December 08, 2015
Five MEPs' assistants from Brussels have been in Gibraltar for a two-day familiarisation visit. On arrival they were briefed on environmental issues, although their planned tour of BGTW had to be cancelled due to bad weather.
After a meeting with DCM, Dr Joseph Garcia, they visited the frontier and the Finance Centre and the airport where, in each case, they were briefed on current issues. They were also given a detailed Rock Tour.
The MEPs' assistants, who were accompanied by Daniel D'Amato from Gibraltar House in Brussels, were from Romania, Greece, Germany, UK and the Czech Republic.'
08-12-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
What dialogue?
December 08, 2015
Dear Sir
How nice and thoughtful of all the spanish political parties to include us in their manifestos, with regards the need for "dialogue" with Gibraltar!
What dialogue? Better relations between the two communities (excluding sovereignty of course)? By all means!
But surely, this is something that can happen overnight without even the need for any "dialogue", if the fruitcake brigade of whatever political colours, stop the impossible ILLEGITIMATE obsessive quest to gain the sovereignty of the Rock!
There will never be any "dialogue", if dialogue means talking about sovereignty!
How many times do they have to be told?!
We have two vetoes with regards any change of sovereignty, and I do not much care if anyone wants to indulge in inanities and question whether the Queen of Gibraltar is British, spanish, Arabic, Phoenician or Martian.
Two vetoes have to be overcome, and "hell will have to freeze over" first, before any change in our status can take place.
Yours faithfully
Isabella Caruana-(Montegriffo)
08-12-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
Why visit to UK by Spanish King should be cancelled
December 08, 2015
Dear Sir,
Nothing that emanates from across the way should surprise us the Loyal people of Gibraltar.
Our Sovereign is not allowed to visit us, the reason now being given is that Her Majesty is not undertaking long oversea journeys , I believe the flying time to Malta is compatible with that to the Rock.
It is amazing what the incumbents at King Charles Street get up to, the latest Spanish affront is to quote that under Utrecht their Monarch is also King of Gibraltar, I wonder if using their same illogical interpretation they will also now claim, Jerusalem, Naples and Sicily, the Algarve, ,Hungary, Dalmacia and Croacia among others.
I presume that these leaned experts in Diplomacy, Ethics and good manners will now advise Our Sovereign Lady that she will be entertaining a Bogus contender to Her Crown, in fact with remarks like those uttered the whole visit should be cancelled.
The above is the result of such an array of appeasement which emblazon our neighbours to continue to act in the way that they operate i.e under the Quixotic umbrella..
Yours faithfully,
W.L.Chamberland.
08-12-15 PANORAMAdailyGIBRALTAR
