January - February - March - April - May - June
July - August - September - October - November - December

JANUARY 1999

Sunday writings: The regular writings on Malta's most read Maltese-language Sunday newspaper continued into the new year from the 3rd onwards. The writings are a precious contact with of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl with the public.

Visit from Tunisia: George and Lourdes Busuttil received at their home, from December 20th to January 4th, Amira Heshami, the 16 year old daughter of Bea, a female resident at the prisons. Various members of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl and Daritama saw to it that Amira's visit to Malta will be a pleasant one. During her stay, Amira even took part in one of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl's radio programmes.

New Year Outing: On the occasion of the festive season, the members of the Steering Committee, together with some of their relatives, organised a friendly outing. This was on the 2nd. Their venue was at Marsascala at the dominican summer residence. All was very nice, including the home-made food!

Party at Female: On the 3rd, various volunteers of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl were all guests to the Female Section for a lively Christmas party with residents there and even wardens. the party was really fun.

Visits to Prison: The visits of members of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl to individual prisoners continued into the new year on a regular basis from the 7th onwards. Every week, member of the organisation maintained regular and personal contact with prisoners such as Adel Shelzak and Jason Cassar. Special attention was given to Jason Lee Borg and the Arab prisoners. Members of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl also continued to take the two boys of prisoner Tommy Baldacchino to visit their father.

Radio Programmes: Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl's weekly radio programme continued on Radju Kottoner 98FM of Daritama from the 4th onwards. Every Monday, Louise Avellino, responsible for the broadcasts on behalf of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl, produced and presented the programme for prisoners and their families between 9.00 pm and 10.30 pm. The programmes were very much appreciated and liked.

Meetings at Prison: For another year running, the meetings with prisoners at Paola's facility continued on a regular basis from the 5th onwards. These meetings were begun in December 1995. Every Tuesday, volunteers of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl visited the Female Section between 10.00 am and 11.30 am, and the male sections between 4.30 pm and 7.00 pm.

Administrative Meetings: Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl's administrative meetings continued regularly into the new year from the 5th onwards. All meetings were held at Dar it-Tama, our centre, in Cospicua, from 8.00 pm onwards. The members of the Steering Committee at the beginning of the year, together with their respective offices, were the following (in alphabetical order):

Party at Juvenile called off: The Christmas party organised by Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl for the Juvenile Section, planned for the 6th, was called off due to gross disorganisation of the prison's administration services. All was decided and set for the party to be held. However, when the members of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl went to the prisons at the appointed time they discovered, to their great surprise, that the prison official responsible for such matters did not leave any orders for the party to be held. Arrangements with the said official had been made weeks before. The same official had even confirmed the party just a day before. Consequently, the members of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl could not enter the Juvenile Section, and had to return home with staff and all. The young men at the Juvenile were greatly disappointed. They had been waiting for the party most anxiously. After Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl issued a press release, prison Director Peter Cordina promised Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl that a party would be held at a later date. The Director offered to pay all expenses for the occasion.

TV Programme: Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl took part in Malta's most popular TV programme, Xarabank, on the 22nd. The programme, aired on the national station, was about the victims of criminality and prisoners. Albano Grima, an ex-prisoner and a member of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl, was part of the panel of main speakers.

FEBRUARY 1999

Extradition Case: Hard work continued to bring Anthony Satariano, extradited to the United States on June 29, 1998, back to Malta as soon as possible. On the 2nd, member of Satariano's family had a first meeting with Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl to organise further the efforts being made. Anthony had served his sentence, and technically could be sent back to Malta. However, bureaucratic complications held him there.

Party at Juvenile: The "Christmas" party that had to be held on January 6 was organised on the 12th, more than a month later. Anyway, the fun was on just the same, maybe more. Both volunteers of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl and the prisoners themselves enjoyed themselves immensely, celebrating together in this way their mutual love and respect.

New Prison Director: During the first week of the month, Peter Cordina resigned from Director of the prisons due to personal problems. The appointment was given to Police Inspector Emmanuel Cassar, who had already been Director at the prisons between 1995 and 1997. Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl sent a letter of gratitude to Mr Cordina, and a congratulatory message to Mr Cassar.

Disagreement with Minister: Towards the middle of the month, after Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl issued a series of press releases about the extradition case of Anthony Satariano and his return to Malta from the United States, a hot public argument ensued with ex-Minister of Justice, Dr Gavin Gulia. Dr Gulia stated that, in June 1998, when Minister of Justice, he had made a non-formal agreement with the American Embassy in Malta for Satariano's return to Malta, and he expected Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl to be grateful to him for it. Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl, however, held that it has no reason whatsoever to be grateful for. Satariano had been held at our prisons without a formal accusation charge. Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl sustained that Dr Gulia was the only person legally responsible for the extradition, and should have never accepted to send a Maltese citizen to another country in the circumstances.

Extradition Case: After many efforts and work, Anthony Satariano was back to Malta at 12.30 pm on the 19th. The scenes at Malta's International Airport on Anthony's arrival were considerable. Members of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl were amongst the many to called at the airport to greet him back. The organisation issued a press release for the occasion. It also continued to answer publicly for the objections repeatedly made by ex-Minister of Justice, Dr Gavin Gulia.

New Member: Albano Grima, an ex-prisoner, became a member of the Steering Committee on the 23rd. Albano had been active in Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl since his release from goal.

Fair of Voluntary Groups: Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl took part at the Fair for Voluntary Groups held at Naxxar between the 25th and the 28. The theme chosen by the organisation was: "Victims and Prisoners ... Compassion or Justice?" The stand itself, as seen the photograph below, included (to the left) a nude but hooded dummy, symbol both of victims of crime and prisoners. Close to the dummy a caption said: "Justice for whom?" The members of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl were present on the stand during all the days of the fair. Many people visited the stand, and interested themselves in the organisation's activities.

MARCH 1999

Meeting with New Prison Director: Members of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl had a meeting with the new prison Director, Emmanuel Cassar, on the 2nd at the prisons at Paola. The meeting was cordial, and various themes of common interest were discussed.

Web Site and Email: For the first time, Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl launched its own website on the internet. Actually, it is a shared site with Daritama and other related pages. The address is www.geocities.com/athens/academy/8664/MDD, and the email (provisional) is mfm@maltanet.net.

Prison Board: The new prison board formation for the current year was appointed by Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Tonio Borg, on the 2nd. After two years on the board, Dr Mark Montebello was not reappointed. However, George Busuttil, Secretary to Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl, was chosen instead to form part of the board. The organisation was pleased with George's appointment. The first meeting of the new board was held on the 15th.

End of Extradition Case: In order to celebrate the return of Anthony Satariano back from his extradition in the United States, members of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl joined the family members of Anthony for a private celebration. This was on the 6th. Anthony's saga was begun on February 18, 1997, and Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl had always since stood beside him to the end. All those present enjoyed each other's company, and were heartily grateful for the happy end of the story.

Another Extradition Case: Just as Satariano's case came to a happy ending, Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl took on a new extradition case, this time of Egyptian prisoner Muhammed Ali Abbas. Malta was being asked by Turkey to extradite Abbas on suspicions that he was involved in the murder of English citizen of Indian origin, Edgar Fernandez. Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl opposed Abbas' extradition on the grounds that Turkey still had capital punishment on its statutes. The government of Malta was likewise resisting pressure from England, and the Fernandez family, to extradite Abbas on the same grounds. Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl encouraged the Maltese government to hold tight.

Case of Gambian Prisoner: During the second week of the month, Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl began working on the case of Gambian prisoner, Ebrima Camara. The organisation helped Camara make the necessary contacts in order to be able to defend himself well before the courts. Later during the same month, when Camara was released from goal, Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl continued to help him re-establish himself in Malta.

Case of Maltese Prisoner: Another ex-prisoner, OC, asked for Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl's help during the third week of the month. The organisation helped out in collaboration with Pastor Joe Agius of the Evangelical Church. The intensive aid given to this ex-prisoner lasted until April.

Case of Yugoslav Prisoner: Other help was given to the Serbian Yugoslav prisoner Dragan Schumann. Constant contact was kept with Dragan through regular visits at the prisons. Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl help Dragan in any way he needed, including at the courts of justice.

APRIL 1999

Radio Programmes: From the 5th onwards, Radju Kottoner 98FM began the spring scheme of programmes. Consequently, Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl's programme began to be aired every Friday from 9.00 pm till 10.40 pm. Provisionally, since Louise Avellino was indisposed due to health problems, the programme was produced and presented by George Busuttil. The spring scheme of programmes ended on July 4th.

Families' Meeting Called Off: A meeting for the families of prisoners, called at Dar it-Tama on April 29th, had to be called off due to lack of interest. The meeting had to deal with the theme of the prisoners' children.

Case of Prison Aggression: Around the end of the month, Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl began to support prisoner Joseph Aquilina in his claim that members of the SRT (Special Response Team) had beaten him up. Joseph wrote to the Ombudsman, and Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl backed his effort all along.

MAY 1999

TV Programme: On the 7th, Dr Mark Montebello, on behalf of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl, took part in a television programme presented on Net TV, the Nationalist Party's television station. The programme was presented by Georg Sapiano, and dealt with the prisons and the prisoners. There were various personalities present for the programme, including Jesmond Mifsud and Raymond Sammut, the major co-founders of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl.

Funeral: Members of the organisation, and also members of Daritama, attended the funeral of the father of Lourdes Busuttil, a member of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl's Steering Committee. This was on the 20th. Mass presente cadavere was said at Cospicua's parish church.

Public Meeting: The annual public meeting that Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl had organised during the past years took a different form this year. The main hall of Dar it-Tama, the organisation's centre, at Cospicua, was converted into a large studio from where a live broadcast was made with the services of Malta's national radio station, Radju Malta Tnejn. The meeting was also broadcasted on Daritama's Radju Kottoner. The meeting was held on the 21st. The theme chosen was: The Calvary of the Arrested, and concentrated on the many problems related to the arrest processes in Malta. The main speaker on behalf of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl was Lawyer Dr Joseph Giglio. The meeting was addressed also by the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr Tonio Borg; the Shadow-Minister for Home Affairs, Dr Angelo Farrugia; and the Shadow-Minister for Justice, Dr Gavin Gulia. Though invited, Dr Austin Gatt, Minister of Justice, could not attend. The meeting was presented and directed by Dr Mark Montebello. The attendance of the public was very large. All members of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl made their part for the success of the evening. The idea of organising such an activity was of Albano Grima, an ex-prisoner and member of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl's Steering Committee. After the meeting, all present were treated to a reception at Dar it-Tama itself. The coverage of the press was very encouraging. The Malta Independent even carried the story on its front page. Dr Giglio, who presented Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl's case, was well-prepared. The Tuesday before the meeting, on the 18th, he was a guest of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl at the prisons. There, Dr Giglio addressed the prisoners' meeting, and took note of their comments.

Work in Europe: Between the 24th and June 2nd, Dr Mark Montebello traveled abroad to various countries of Europe on work assigned to him by Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl. His main stay was in Paris.

JUNE 1999

Barbeque: Members of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl organised a Barbeque at Marsascala. This was on the 6th, the eve of one of Malta's public holidays. The food was good, the drink fine, and the spirit high!

Case of Minor: On the 15th, Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl began to study the case of a 14-year old offender from Cospicua, Jonathan Coleiro, with the aim of preparing a social report. As is done in such cases, the report began to be prepared in collaboration with the young man himself, his family, his probation officer, his former teachers, and other persons who have been at some time or other involved in his life. Though Jonathan had never been to prison yet, Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl saw it proper to give him particular attention because of the criminal tendencies he had been acquiring.

Aggression at the Prisons: During the usual visit at the prisons on the 22nd, some member of the SRT force (Special Response Team), headed by Bernard Zahra, created a whole commotion when they aggressively tried to stop Dr Mark Montebello from talking to one of three Libyan prisoners who had allegedly been beaten up that same day by the same SRT members. The prisoner was being kept at the Ex-Female Division. Bernard Zahra asked Dr Montebello to leave immediately the division, but his order was refused. Members of the SRT then physically attacked Dr Montebello but failed in their attempt to touch him. Later, Dr Montebello was asked to leave the division, and the prisons altogether, by prison Director, Emmanuel Cassar, and asked to return during the following days.

Alleged Beatings at the Prisons: On the 27th, Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl issued a press release revealing allegations of brutal beatings at the prisons of three Libyan prisoners by members of the SRT (Special Response Team) on the 22nd. The Sunday Times, The Independent on Sunday, and It-Torca all reported the release on their respective first page. The national TV and radio station, PBS, reported the release very prominently. The case was a very serious one, and Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl expressed the fear that, if the authorities did not investigate the allegations, a very serious crises could hit the prisons, and the prisoners were very agitated. Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl also insisted that the investigations should curb once and for all any similar incidents in the future. All media agents continued to follow the case with the greatest attention and interest during the following weeks.

JULY 1999

Radio Programmes: On the 5th, the summer scheme of programmes began at Radju Kottoner 98FM. Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl's programme began to be aired regularly every Friday between 845 pm till 10.40 pm. This scheme of programmes continued till October 4th.

Extradition Case: Representatives of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl and Daritama made a symbolic presence before the British High Commission's offices at Floriana in connection with the extradition case of Mohammed Ali Abbas, the Egyptian prisoner sought for extradition by Turkey for allegedly slaying an English citizen of Indian descent, Edgar Fernandez. Turkey still has the death penalty on its statutes. The protest was held on the 7th, while at the same time and day, in London, before the Maltese High Commission's offices there, the group Justice for Britons Murdered Abroad, headed by the family of Fernandez, a protest was being held to add pressure on the government of Malta to grant extradition. The group even began to incense British tourists not to visit Malta. Many journalists gathered at Floriana to follow Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl's protest. Full coverage was given by all television and radio stations.

New Member: During the first week of July, the Steering Committee accepted the membership of Helen Cassar, a member of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl from Marsa.

AUGUST 1999

The Juvenile Question begins: On Tuesday, the 17th, at around 6.00 pm, the volunteers of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl presented themselves at the doors of the Juvenile Section so as to visit as usual. They were asked, however, to call off the meeting since on that particular day the youths could not receive them. Acquiescing, the unsuspecting volunteers left quietly. This apparently non consequential occurrence was repeated during the succeeding weeks, in such a way that it became evident that Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl was being excluded from the Juvenile Division. A crises was in the budding.

New Director for Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl: Ivan Cauchi, a 30-year old engineer from Gozo, was appointed Director of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl. Ivan had been active in the organisation since 1997. His appointment was made on the 17th, and was approved by the Director General of Daritama, Charlo Seychell, on that same day. For the last couple of years, George Busuttil was the organisation's Acting Director while retaining the office of Secretary. On the 17th, George was confirmed in this position of Secretary, which he had held since 1995.

Resignations: On the 24th, the Steering Committee of the organisation accepted the resignation of two of its members, Rose Mary Spiteri and Louise Avellino. These submitted their resignation on personal grounds. Rose Mary had been part of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl since 1996, and Louise since 1997.

SEPTEMBER 1999

Amnesty Campaign: On the 14th, together with the prisoners of all the main division of the prisons, Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl began a systematic campaign with the aim that an amnesty be given by government on the occasion of the beginning of the new millennium. Various activities were planned for the campaign.

Action Plan: On September 21st a plan of action, thought out by Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl for 1999/2000, began to be implimented. The plan establishes the priorities of the organisation over the period of a year.

OCTOBER 1999

Course: For the first time, Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl began to read a public course about the criminal justice system in Malta and voluntary work at the prisons. The course was read by Dr Mark Montebello between the 8th and December 17th. Attendance was extremely good.

Amnesty Campaign at Castille: On the 8th, members of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl gathered together with the families of prisoners before the official residence of the Prime Minister to campaign for an amnesty on the occasion of the new millennium. Those gathered presented a letter to the Prime Minister, Dr Edward Fenech Adami. The activity was very much followed by various agencies of the press, and given considerable coverage.

NOVEMBER 1999

Alleged Beatings at the Prisons: Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl issued a detailed report about the beatings that occurred at the prisons on the 12th. Members of the SRT (Special Response Team) had brutally beaten three Libyans at the prisons on June 22nd. The report was also sent to Amnesty International, and to the Council of Europe. The local media seemed to be moderately interested in the report.

DECEMBER 1999

Work with Graffiti: Towards the middle of the month, Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl met members of the organisation Graffiti, a local pressure group, with the aim of working together on some projects.

Course: Dr Mark Montebello, on behalf of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dlam, ended the course on the criminal justice system in Malta and voluntary work at the prisons on the 17th. At the end of the course, members of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl and Daritama were present to introduce themselves to those who attended the course. A few of these decided to be volunteers of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl.

Denied Christmas Party: Towards the end of the month, prison Director, Emmanuel Cassar, denied Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl the necessary permit to organise a Christmas party at the Juvenile section at the prisons. Consequently, due to the Director's obstinacy, Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl decided to cancel also the party at the Female Section. Here the Director had not find any objection for a party.