Government failed Gibraltar in 2005

In an end-of-year statement, Felix Alvarez, Chairman of Equality Rights group GGR (pictured) has said that the year 2005 has been “a year of failures and a widening gap between ordinary workers and the well-off on issues across the board on the part of Mr Caruana and his Government. Government, in short, have failed Gibraltarians of all classes and status in 2005, no matter what they might like us to believe in their political broadcasts.”Mr Alvarez added that “inequalities in this community are becoming more and more absurd right across the board and there is a growing poverty gap within this community for lack of care and social provision. Young couples are being offered so-called affordable housing that few people can even think of affording. And this while luxury housing for the wealthy is taking up more and more scarce land! Standards of living for the disabled are unacceptable when you consider that the Minister for Social Services has failed to provide a reliable respite service for the affected families. British citizens in Gibraltar are being given the run-around when it comes to their EU rights. Government fails to address real issues affecting health by providing ridiculous answers to evident pollution statistics. People need to book months in advance to see their doctor at the Health Centre despite thousands of pounds having been spent on consultation with experts. Ordinary citizens find it practically impossible to access theoretical legal rights because Government does not provide proper access to the law due to ridiculous legal aid levels, leaving many people unable to afford legal redress. And all this, we are told by Government in their political propaganda, is neither here nor there because, we are told to believe, we have never had it so good as under the GSD (Gibraltar Social Democrats)! Meanwhile, it appears to be no problem to throw money away on a Theatre Royal project that is benefitting nobody!”“In fact, Mr Caruana has seen to it that, year on year, we slip further into mismanagement and backwardness when it comes to the real freedoms of our citizens, and he has used every means to this end whilst varnishing over the realities of our community,” he said. “We’ve had it with 18th century marching. We’re living in the 21st century and it’s time to change the tune!”

Some members of the GGR Executive about to enter TV studios on the night of Wednesday 14th December to hand over a cheque donation to the community-wide collection for Charities which has become an annual event in Gibraltar at Christmas. The group constructed a Wishing Well and took donations from the public in different locations over 5 days. In addition to the cheque, GGR itself donated a further £100 as a "top up". Many community groups participated in the event, which finally obtained over £101,000 for local charities.

Petition: 3,500 signatures "so far"

In a statement today, Equality Rights group GGR has revealed that it has collected 3,500 signatures to date on its Petition for the introduction of a Sex Offenders Register in Gibraltar.

“We want to thank the public at large for the warm response and encouragement we are receiving on this matter,” Annette Vallejo (left), the group’s Coordinator on abuse issues said. “We have been constantly urged to continue in this campaign and we want to reassure the public that although we have already received a substantial number of signatures, we realise that there are many people who still want to put their names on this Petition. We will be resuming our collection of signatures once the festive season is over and shall be working our way through all areas of Gibraltar in the early months of the new year. Meanwhile, we should be grateful if all those kind people who have been busy collecting signatures on our behalf could post their sheets to us at PO Box 425, Gibraltar,” she said adding that “All of the team at GGR wish you all a very happy Christmas.”

GGR supports GBC Open Day 2005

Equality Rights group GGR will be making a maximum effort over a period of 5 days and two locations in support of GBC Open Day 2005 (an annual community-wide event to collect money for a variety of Charities in Gibraltar organised by the local radio and tv station) “come rain or shine!” with a beautifully made Wishing Well and for that we want to especially thank our friends Pete, Reg and Keith for their generous help. We also thank the management of both the ICC and Morrison’s for their kind agreement for us to be able to use their space. Furthermore, we are thankful to Us For Toys for their donation of a toy to be raffled along another toy item donated by GGR alongside the Well. The group also says it is willing to auction the Wishing Well itself to any business, shop, group or individual with the sale going to the highest bidder who reaches or tops the reserve price with the idea being that the proceeds will go to the Open Day funds.

Sandra Poveda, Social Coordinator for the group announced that they will be at the ICC Building on 3rd, 10th, 12th and 14th December, with a presence at Morrison’s Supermarket on 12th and 13th December.

“Members of the public will be able to “make a wish” at the Wishing Well and for every donation of £1 will be automatically entered into a toy raffle which will be drawn in the GBC studios on the night of the 14th. There are many groups and individuals in the Gibraltar community who work very hard during the year to care for and help others, and the least we can do is to help their selfless year-round work through the Open Day event and to wish all of Gibraltar a very happy Christmas and New Year and thank GBC itself for their annual efforts for the community,” Ms Poveda said.