Maltese Court rules that Access to Detention Centres by Public Watchdogs is key to holding authorities to account

A Maltese court, presided over by Mr. Justice Toni Abela, recently ruled that journalists, in their role as public watchdogs, must have access to detention centres in which migrants and asylum-seekers are held and to Corradino Correctional Facility [Emanuel Delia Vs L-Onorevoli Byron Camilleri et. Rikors Numru 201/20TA, December 2023]. In a case instituted by Maltese journalist Manuel Delia, it was argued that the refusal to allow access to journalists to detention and prison is a breach of the right to freedom of expression and allows for the actions of the authorities to be subject to public scrutiny.

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Malta Complicit in Unlawful Pushbacks at Sea

Joint Press Statement: aditus Foundation, Jesuit Refugee Service Malta, Moviment Graffitti & SAR (Search and Rescue) Malta Network, 15 December 2023

Shocking details of the complicity of the Maltese state in coordinating pushbacks to Libya from Malta’s search and rescue zone have emerged this week in the local and international pressi. We condemn and demand an end to these actions and policies which violate international and human rights laws.

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Published: Input Paper on Access to Justice

The Strengthening Access to Justice for Improved Human Rights Protection project has as its objective the improving of access to justice for individuals wishing to strengthen their human rights protection in those instances when they feel that they have been violated. Whilst Malta has a relatively strong human rights regime that seeks to protect a long list of fundamental human rights, the practical protection offered to persons whose rights have been violated or might be violated is rather weak.

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