Muscat honours one of Vladimir Putin’s agents in the Russian state’s war on homosexuals – in the same list as the transsexual ‘campaigner’ and ‘anti-censorship’ campaigner whose real virtue was to campaign for him
This morning, Russian politician Valentina Matvienko, who around 20 years ago was the Russian ambassador to Malta, was honoured by the President – at the behest of the prime minister – with the National Order of Merit (an honorary companion, as she is not a Maltese citizen).
Matvienko was the governor of St Petersburg and is now chairman of Russia’s Federation Council.
We don’t know why Muscat selected her for the honour. But what we do know is that Matvienko is one of Vladimir Putin’s strongest and most forceful allies in the clampdown on homosexuals, who in Russia are subjected to state-sanctioned discrimination and to homophobic violence.
Public shows of homosexuality, and demonstrations like Gay Pride, are illegal in several Russian cities, and Matvienko and Putin are pushing for nationwide anti-homosexuality laws.
This is the person who Muscat, in all his falsity, has chosen to honour, even as he pretends to honour Joanne Cassar and Mark Camilleri for their campaigns against ‘oppression’, when what he really honoured them for was their campaigns in favour of him, which helped him become prime minister.
Yes, this is the very same Valentina Matvienko mentioned in this article in The Guardian (link below), from which I quote:
Twenty years after homosexuality was decriminalised in Russia, anti-gay legislation is making a rapid comeback, with St Petersburg becoming the latest city to ban “homosexual propaganda”.
The law, signed by St Petersburg’s governor last week, came amid increasing calls by leading Russian politicians and Orthodox Church officials to bring anti-gay laws to the federal level. Dmitry Pershin, head of the Church’s youth council, renewed those calls on Mondayafter praising the St Petersburg law for “helping to protect children from information manipulation by minorities that promote sodomy”.
The law’s content is vague – it criminalises “public action aimed at propagandising sodomy, lesbianism, bisexualism, and transgenderism among minors”. Those charged with breaking the law will be fined from 5,000 (£108) to 500,000 roubles.
Gay rights activists say the law is part of a wider government initiative, supported by the strictly conservative Orthodox Church, to crack down on public protest, civic activity and the liberalisation of society.
“The tendency in Russia is toward limiting freedom of speech and freedom to gather, targeting any group that somehow stands up for its rights,” said Yury Gavrikov, the head of Equality, one of several gay rights groups in St Petersburg.
(…)
Church officials and close allies of the president-elect, Vladimir Putin, including the former governor of St Petersburg and head of Russia’s Federation Council, Valentina Matviyenko, support the establishment of national anti-gay laws.
36 Comments Comment
Leave a Comment
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/mar/12/st-petersburg-bans-homosexual-propaganda
The multiple standards of convenience by a multi-faced farcical Prime Minister.
New York Times, 27 July 2013:
“To the long list of Russians whom President Vladimir Putin is persecuting, add gay people and those who support gay rights. Along with political dissidents, journalists and billionaire businessmen, they are increasingly the focus of repellent laws and repressive practices that could send them, and anyone who dares defend them, to jail. ”
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/28/opinion/sunday/mr-putins-war-on-gays.html?n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fPeople%2fP%2fPutin%2c%20Vladimir%20V%2e
Amnesty International, 1 July 2013:
“President Vladimir Putin’s new laws criminalising blasphemy and outlawing public activism by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) individuals are an affront to freedom of expression and an attack on minority rights Amnesty International said today.”
http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/russia-new-laws-affront-basic-human-rights-2013-07-01
Valentina Matviyenko, 6 December 2013:
“There has not been in Russia a single occasion of infringement upon the rights of sexual minorities or any other minorities”
http://indrus.in/news/2013/12/06/russian_law_does_not_restrict_rights_of_sexual_minorities_31447.html
The short biography of Ms. Matviyenko as published by the Department of Information includes the following line:
“Furthermore, her administration launched a number of programmes intended to promote St Petersburg as a tourist location. In 2008, St Petersburg became the seat of the Constitutional Court of Russia.”
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20131213/local/new-president-should-be-chosen-by-wider-consensus.498830
The New York Times EDITORIAL referred to above states:
“Last month, Mr. Putin signed a law allowing the police to arrest tourists and foreigners suspected of being gay or pro-gay and detain them for up to 14 days.”
Welcome to Putin’s Russia. Welcome to Matviyenko’s St. Petersburg.
There surely is a clause in the relevant law on these national honours that permits the challenging, possibly the withdrawal, of the honour conferred on Ms. Matviyenko? I suggest that Claudette Buttigieg MP should check about this.
This is exactly why Russian adoptions are now closed to Maltese citizens: because of Malta’s same-sex civil unions legislation.
Muscat introduces civil unions after campaigning on that ticket, then honours one of the Russian politicians who has closed the doors on adoption of Russian children by Maltese because of Malta’s liberal laws on homosexuality.
http://www.russiaslam.com/2013/stories/france-allows-gay-marriage-russia-reacts.html
Russia is to revise the agreement on child adoption with France
The ITAR-TASS news agency reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin has promised to consider revising the agreement between Russia and France regarding child adoption.
The potential revision of the existing agreement is due to recent changes in France when, in April 2013, same-sex marriage was legalised. ‘We’re going to think about this question: it’s a current issue’, – Putin said.
The question of the adoption of Russian children in France was submitted to the presidium of the legislative council by Marina Orgeeva, head of the legislative assembly of the Kaliningrad Oblast, who was visiting Putin. The President supported the idea of reviewing bilateral agreements. ‘We respect our partners, but we also ask that they respect the cultural traditions and ethical, legal and moral norms of Russia. I believe we have the right to make changes.’
The federation council speaker Valentina Matviyenko, who was also present at the meeting, told Putin that the appropriate changes are already being prepared.
The text in the red box says as follows:
“The ITAR-TASS news agency reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin has promised to consider revising the agreement between Russia and France regarding child adoption.
The potential revision of the existing agreement is due to recent changes in France when, in April 2013, same-sex marriage was legalised. ‘We’re going to think about this question: it’s a current issue’, – Putin said.
The question of the adoption of Russian children in France was submitted to the presidium of the legislative council by Marina Orgeeva, head of the legislative assembly of the Kaliningrad Oblast, who was visiting Putin. The President supported the idea of reviewing bilateral agreements. ‘We respect our partners, but we also ask that they respect the cultural traditions and ethical, legal and moral norms of Russia. I believe we have the right to make changes.’
The federation council speaker Valentina Matviyenko, who was also present at the meeting, told Putin that the appropriate changes are already being prepared…”
Her political interests are those of Gazprom.
http://www.rustocks.com/index.phtml/Pressreleases/20/123/13689?filter=2008
A Google search on her name results in all business articles dealing with Gazprom.
http://www.grreporter.info/en/russia_sets_conditions_participation_greek_privatization/9989
Russia’s energy bulldog in the EU.
http://www.gazprom-neft.com/press-center/news/3193/
Tax deductions during her tenure in St.Petersburg.
Guess who’s eyeing citizenship. One wonders who the other non-Maltese recipients are.
‘…Regarding visas, both Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos and Prime Minister of Greece Antonis Samaras have confirmed that they agree to simplify the procedures in view of the future visa waiver. Moreover, upon assuming the Presidency of the European Union, Greece will take initiatives to strengthen the dialogue with Moscow and will endeavour to simplify the procedure for issuing visas in order to waive them in the future which will support tourism, business relations, science, etc…’
Valentina Matviyenko: another due diligence gone wrong.
And this time they can’t blame it on Henley & Something.
Ghandu ragun Vella Gera, farsa tinkiteb did-darba. Muscat hallas u se jithallas b’dawn l-unuri.
http://oblogdeeoblogda.me/2013/09/08/russian-anti-gay-parliamentarian-wants-to-talk-to-us-congress-about-syria/
Valentina Ivanovna Matviyenko is the highest-ranking female politician in Russia, the former governor of Saint Petersburg and the current Chairman of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation. She also hates gays.
Valentina Matviyenko, described as the most powerful woman in Russia, may forget she and her cronies are not exactly welcome in the U.S.A . Should Valentina Matviyenko and her crew receive VISAS into the U.S.A., for any reason, even for talks on Syria? Their human rights records have hurt all adoptive children from Russia as well as LGBT people, who have become the heightened targets for violence, since the new anti-gay laws passed in June 2013 and more of which continue to be introduced in the DUMA.
Text in the red box says:
“Valentina Matviyenko, described as the most powerful woman in Russia, may forget she and her cronies are not exactly welcome in the U.S.A . Should Valentina Matviyenko and her crew receive VISAS into the U.S.A., for any reason, even for talks on Syria? Their human rights records have hurt all adoptive children from Russia as well as LGBT people, who have become the heightened targets for violence, since the new anti-gay laws passed in June 2013 and more of which continue to be introduced in the DUMA.”
Why would she need a VISA into the USA when she can get a Maltese EU passport for Euro 650,000?
I’m sure she is talented enough to get the green light from Henley & Something.
You’re expecting too much of our Prime Minister to be au courant of such issues outside our shores.
Even KZT and Felix Busuttil – usually so vociferous about gay issues – can’t ignore the irony and contradiction in Muscat’s choice of award recipients. But I doubt we’ll hear anything from them now that they’re cheerleading for Joseph.
Hypocrisy was one of the New Mortal sins the one helped to fashion the campaign on.
I do however wonder when they plan on going to Russia, or contracting with Russia.
And not a word from the MGRM or Muscat’s own LGBT Labour.
Truly winner takes all in Maltese politics.
From the Department of Information press release number PR 2809 ENG of 13 December 2013:
“NATIONAL ORDER OF MERIT
HONORARY COMPANION
VALENTINA IVANOVNA MATVIENKO K.O.M.
Valentina Ivanovna Matvienko is Chairperson of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation.
She was born on 7 April 1949 in the Ukrainian S.S.R. She started her political career in the 1980s in Saint Petersburg. During the period 1991 to 1995, she served her country as Ambassador to Malta, and from 1997 to 1998, Ambassador to Greece.
During the period 1998 to 2003, Mrs Matvienko was Deputy Prime Minister of Russia for Welfare and Presidential Envoy to the Northwestern Federal District in 2003. She became the first female Governor in the history Russia, following her election as Governor of St Petersburg. Under her leadership, the city of St Petersburg experienced a sustained period of economic development culminating in a large number of megaprojects in housing, the enhancement of the city’s
infrastructure and transformed the Shushary industrial zone into an important centre of the automotive industry in Russia.
Furthermore, her administration launched a number of programmes intended to promote St Petersburg as a tourist location. In 2008, St Petersburg became the seat of the Constitutional Court of Russia.
On 21 September 2011 she was elected Chairperson of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, the country’s third-highest office.
Mrs Matvienko graduated from the Leningrad Institute of Chemistry and Pharmaceutics. She is married to Vladimir Vasilyevich Matvienko and has a son.
Malta is honouring H.E. Valentina Matvienko in recognition of her contribution towards the enhancement of bilateral cooperation and the friendly relations between the people of Malta and the Russian Federation.”
No mention of her stance on gay rights in Russia.
The Department of Information’s biography of Ms. Matvienko says:
“She was born on 7 April 1949 in the Ukrainian S.S.R. ”
It would also be good to know her position about what is going on in the Ukraine and if her position agrees with the views of the EU and those of Joseph Muscat’s government.
This is utterly disgusting. Won’t the MGRM release a statement?
From a “fellow homosexual”.
I would pay €10 for Cyrus Engerer’s reaction
Let’s be honest about it.
It does not bode well for Malta but it is an incontrovertible fact.
The PM just does not have a clue.
By the way, exactly like the vast majority of the population.
According to Wikipedia:
“Matviyenko developed a large number of megaprojects in housing and infrastructure, such as the construction of the Saint Petersburg Ring Road including the Big Obukhovsky Bridge (the only non-draw bridge over the Neva River in the city), completion of the Saint Petersburg Dam aimed to put an end to the infamous Saint Petersburg floods, launching Line 5 of Saint Petersburg Metro and starting land reclamation in the Neva Bay for the new Marine Facade of the city (the largest European waterfront development project containing the New Sea Passenger port. ”
Ah, a Maltese national honour to someone who was involved in mega projects including land reclamation.
And then there is this gem:
“Some actions and practices of governor Matviyenko have drawn significant criticisms from the Saint Petersburg public, media and opposition groups. In particular, new construction in already heavily built-up areas and several building projects were deemed to conflict with the classical architecture of the city, where the entire centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Some such projects eventually were cancelled or modified, like the controversial design of a 400-metre tall Okhta Center skyscraper, planned to be built adjacent to the historical center of the city, but after a public campaign and the personal involvement of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev it was relocated from Okhta to the Lakhta suburb.”
And:
“Matviyenko supported the construction project of the Gazprom City business center (also called Okhta Center) including a 400 meter skyscraper holding the headquarters of some of Gazprom’s subsidiaries on the right bank of the Neva River in the vicinity of the historic Smolny Cathedral. The current regulations forbidding construction buildings of more than 42 meters (48 with expert approval) were specially changed by the city administration for the project.”
Vella Gera was concerned because of the contradiction in awarding Josanne Cassar at the same time with Ms. Matviyenko.
I think he missed the contradiction in awarding Astrid Vella and Ms. Matviyenko at the same time too. Ms. Vella argues against new buildings, mega projects, land reclamation, congested towns and cities, high rise buildings and in favour of the protection of UNESCO world heritage. Ms. Matviyenko promotes each of them.
What a farce. F’Gieh ir-Repubblika tal-Banana.
Just have to say this.
Once civil partnerships/unions in Malta become law, there will be no shortage of boys and girls from the South getting married to gay Russians and other nationalities wanting entry into the EU.
And they will probably charge far less than €650,000 for the pleasure.
Arranged marriages of convenience have gone on between lesbians and gay men since Stonewall. With same sex partnerships the possibility of acquiring residence in another country will be widened.
Put it this way, Labour gave honours to Ghaddafi and Kim Il Sung. This doesn’t surprise me in the slightest. I wonder what Cyrus Engerer thinks about this?
Cyrus Engerer? Thinks?
Does anyone know WHY Matvienko was honoured, and what her connection to Joseph Muscat is?
I suspect Joey Muscat wants a bidding war between China and Russia over tiny Malta, all part of his rebuffing the EU tactic.
He is setting up all the chess pieces (or more like checker pieces in his case) on the board so the game can begin in ernest.
Daphne, you have often said that Muscat is probably aware of all this and just mocks the whole award-giving institution just like his favourite idol Mintoff mocked anything he could to be populist and in the news.
I think that this is just another one of those episodes, probably fuelled by his own huge insecurity, which he then turns into evil to fool himself and his followers out of.
This goes together with the PL people “reminding” us that we are just “tiny Malta” and “with few people of calibre” Why should they drag everybody down their own insecurity sewer?
There should be a low self-esteem mock-award for this kind.
You always read about it here on this website first.
The Malta Independent, 14 December 2013 (OK, a timely reminder for Christmas shopping:)
http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-12-14/news/playboy-cover-girl-tries-to-sell-virginity-a-second-time-3458367488/
Daphne’s website, 21 November 2013 – See my comment here (including a detailed comparison of the price of Ms. Migliorini’s virginity versus the cost of a Maltese passport for those caught up in the dilemma as to where to invest Euro 650,000):
http://daphnecaruanagalizia.com/2013/11/jokes-about-maltas-sale-of-citizenship-in-kenya/
What Malta is doing right now is telling the European Union that you chose a leader who is sympathetic only to what is good for him.
I will not be improper in saying he is intruding in the Union’s most sacred beliefs, human rights.
This is unacceptable and he should resign immediately for Malta to remain credible.
Homosexuality has never been number one in Malta’s agenda for minorities.
The government is suppressing you all. Shame for Malta to honour such persons.
Through reading your blog and comments, I have lately come to the conclusion that even the idea of the citizenship sale is none other then a mockery of the EU institution.
Somehow a ‘hudu go fikhom’ way of payback against the immigration problem.
If the immigrants can’t travel freely to anywhere in Europe after they land in Malta, then let’s see if EU will allow those who pay for Maltese citizenship travel to any European country.
If they don’t then do they want Malta to remain a gateway. The objective mainly to increase the anti EU and ‘Malta taghna biss’ sentiment amongst the Maltese.
Somehow I cannot come up with any other explanation why the PM would put forward the sale of Maltese/EU citizenships. He was a European MEP up to a few years ago after all and as such should know the possible repercussions.
Is it possible that his team of experts did not envisage the ‘massive’ media response. Or did they plan to use this avalanche of bad PR as a base for attacking the opposition and free media.
Someone here had mentioned the Madliena medical stores site. Here we go.
http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2013-12-14/news/medicine-storage-upgrade-cuts-down-on-rent-3461840897/
“Dr Farrugia noted that the Madliena medical stores, which are former British-era barracks, occupy a prime site that would be freed up for redevelopment.”
It’s quite easy to see why this person was chosen for the medal. They wanted to award someone Russian, someone important, and a woman.
Matvienko fits all three requirements. To hell what she’s doing in Russia.
Well we all know how the Russians admired Margaret Thatcher. They are merely following her example. Who would have guessed just how far to the right our government has become?http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Section_28
Just for the record, Matvienko isn’t Putin’s friend. She is just one of the circle of Yeltsin’s privileged buddies inherited by Putin. So there is no personal warmth between them.
Putin cannot just do “de Baathification/de-Nazification” or he’d be left with just a handful of officials to run the country, so he’s having to make do, until a new generation comes along.
A bit like the PN after 1987, and every year ever since.