Culture of impunity in Malta continues to exist - David Casa

Much more needs to be done for the culture of impunity in Malta to be eradicated, MEP David Casa told the European Parliament on Tuesday.

Introducing a debate on the backsliding of the rule of law in Malta, commemorating the eighth anniversary of Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassination, Casa, who heads Malta’s delegation in the EPP, said that although changes were made thanks to the EP’s pressure, much more needed to be done.

“It is incorrect to say that there were no changes. The low-level criminals who committed the assassination were jailed. The way the judiciary is appointed has changed. And European laws protecting journalists have been enacted.”

However, there was still no outcome in the case against the alleged mastermind, and the recommendations of a public inquiry, repeatedly demanded by this Parliament, were yet to be implemented.

“Topmost among these is that what needs to be changed to overcome the culture of impunity remains unchanged...

“Justice for Daphne means justice for the criminality that she was killed to stop her from exposing. But 8 years after the assassination, convictions for corruption are sorely lacking.”

Casa continued that Malta had not yet learned its lesson so much so that only last week, on the anniversary of the assassination, an employee from the Prime Minister's office destroyed Daphne’s memorial. This action was condemned by embassies but not by the Prime Minister.

Condemning the attack on Italian journalist Sigfrido Ranucci last week on the very day of the anniversary of Daphne’s assassination, Casa said this, as well as the massacre in Gaza, were proof that journalists remained threatened the world over.

“We need to learn from the past.  And I appeal to never ever defend the indefensible,” Casa concluded.