MEPs outline way forward for Maltese Government

The European Parliament is insisting that the Maltese Government makes a number of important changes when it comes to rule of law and the protection of journalists, and does these changes now. This, in light of the murder of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, as well as cases of corruption and money laundering implicating people at the highest levels of Government. The resolution with a number of recommendations for the Maltese and Slovak Government has been adopted with a huge majority, with 398 MEPs voting in favour, compared to 85 against. The majority of Socalists MEPs also voted in favour of these recommendations.

Specifically, the resolution calls on the Maltese Government to:

• ensure that a full public inquiry into the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia is done;
• see that the masterminds of her murder are identified and brought to justice;
• to implement all the recommendations of the Venice Commission;
• end the hate campaign on the family of Daphne Caruana Galizia;
• publish the full report of the Aaron Bugeja Magisterial Inquiry;
• initiate an investigation on Panama Papers, and the relationship between 17 Black and Keith Schembri and Konrad Mizzi;
• stop selling passports.

MEP Roberta Metsola, who formed part of the Working Group who visited Malta and Slovakia and held a number of meetings prior to drafting the resolution, said: “This resolution protects Maltese values. It protects European values. This resolution is based on the same values we hold dear and provides a clear framework of what needs to be done and how things should be done.”

MEP David Casa, who is the Head of Delegation of Partit Nazzjonalista in the European Parliament, said: “Our job in the European Parliament is that of defending the citizens  of Malta and Gozo. It would be dereliction of duty to look the other way while our institutions are politically captured to protect corrupt politicians to the detriment of the people. We must always stand against corruption and abuse of power. We must insist that the integrity our institutions is restored and stand for media freedom and the protection of journalists. This what we have done today. This is what we will always continue to do.”

MEP Francis Zammit Dimech, who served as the EPP Group Rapporteur on media freedom and protection of whistleblowers said: “Through today’s resolution, the European Parliament is once again calling on the Maltese Government to make the necessary changes to safeguard rule of law in our country and to protect journalists who are crucial to keep the people informed about all that we have a right to know. The Maltese people deserve to live in a truly European, democratic country, and we will continue to be their voice and to defend these values which we cherish.”