Appeal to establish a public inquiry into the assassination of Ms. Daphne Caruana Galizia


Dear Prime Minister Joseph Muscat,

I write to you on behalf of the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom and 22 organisations (listed below) representing thousands of journalists and human rights activists concerning Malta’s response to the assassination of journalist Ms Daphne Caruana Galizia.

Following her murder on 16 October 2017, the Maltese authorities initiated criminal proceedings against the men who allegedly detonated the bomb that killed Ms Caruana Galizia and a parallel magisterial inquiry into whether others should be charged with criminal offences for commissioning the alleged assassins. Both the criminal proceedings and magisterial inquiry focus solely on criminal culpability.

Neither process is investigating the wider and even more serious question as to whether the Maltese state is responsible for the circumstances that led to Ms Caruana Galizia’s death.

Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights requires Malta – as a Member State of the Council of Europe – to comply with its protective obligation by examining (a) whether Malta knew, or ought to have known, of a real and immediate risk to Ms Caruana Galizia’s life; (b) the adequacy of any steps taken by Malta to guard against that risk; and (c) any steps that Malta needs to take to prevent future deaths of journalists and/or anti-corruption campaigners.

On 9 August 2018, a team of international lawyers from Doughty Street Chambers and Bhatt Murphy Solicitors in London issued a legal opinion finding that Malta has failed to institute any inquiry into whether the Maltese state bears any responsibility for the loss of Ms Caruana Galizia’s life. Following the legal opinion, the family has submitted the following request to your government:

To establish a public inquiry under the Inquiries Act that is completely independent of the Maltese police, Government and politicians, and that is conducted by a panel of respected international judges, retired judges and/or suitably qualified individuals with no political or government links.

We fully support the request and urge you to reconsider your position and to respond immediately and positively to the request of the family of Ms Caruana Galizia.

Protecting the lives and voices of journalists in Malta and across Europe depends upon this public inquiry. There is nothing to fear from this inquiry but the truth.

Seeking justice for Ms Caruana Galizia and protection for those who continue her legacy remains our top priority.

We would appreciate your written response to our appeal.

Flutura Kusari, Legal Advisor, The European Centre for Press and Media Freedom.


List of Organisations

Access Info

Active Watch

aditus foundation

Article 21

Blueprint for Free Speech

Committee to Protect Journalists

European Federation of Journalists

Global Editors Network

Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights

IFEX (the global network of over 100 freedom of expression organizations)

Index on Censorship

Integra Foundation

International Press Institute

OBC Transeuropa/ Centro per la Cooperazione Internazionale

Ossigeno per l’Informazione

PEN International

PEN America

Platform of Human Rights Organisations in Malta (PHROM)

Press Emblem Campaign

Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

South East Europe Media Organisation

Transparency International

The Critical Institute

The European Centre for Press and Media Freedom

The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA)


The Minister needs to confirm that Malta is still a safe and functioning democracy. NGO Statement on recent Ministerial actions on the ‘Daphne Memorial’

The actions of the Ministry for Justice, Culture and Local Government in relation to the ‘Daphne Memorial’ in Valletta are utterly shameful and reprehensible. They represent an unequivocal repression of free and peaceful political and personal expression. These are fundamental human rights boldly enshrined in Malta’s Constitution and part of the human rights regime Malta so proudly subscribes to.

The Government’s, or the Minister’s, opinions of slain journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia should play absolutely no part in its relationship with a group of people who, on a regular basis, choose to gather in Valletta to express political opinions or to mourn Daphne Caruana Galizia.

International and national human rights law protect the rights of all people in Malta to assemble, and to express their opinions. These are core pillars of a functioning democracy, since they ensure the safety of people whose personal, political, religious or other views – and their public expression – jar with those of the majority, and of the government. Limitations on these rights are only permitted where strictly necessary and for reasons linked to the protection of national security, public safety or the rights of others.

The Ministry’s justification for its actions – to safeguard national monuments – is therefore unacceptable and a clear populist attempt at ignoring basic legal standards, especially since no damage to the Great Siege Monument was ever alleged or demonstrated. Furthermore, the Ministry may comfortably rely on other less intrusive laws for the protection of our national heritage, without acting in such a repressive and childish manner.

We therefore urge the Minister for Justice, Culture and Local Government to immediately refrain from these undemocratic tactics and to simply allow the public and peaceful demonstration of opinions and views that he might not be comfortable with.

This is not asking for too much, just for the peace of mind that we still live in a safe and functioning democracy,

Dr. Neil Falzon (aditus foundation Director).


LIBE & PANA Mission Report, Rule of Law, Malta

The European Parliament’s Mission Report Following the ad-hoc Delegation to Malta (30 November – 1 December, 2017) was finally published yesterday. The Report outlines the findings of the visit of an ad-hoc Delegation to Malta composed of 8 European Parliamentarians drawn from the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) and the Committee of Inquiry into Money Laundering, Tax Avoidance and Tax Evasion (PANA). The Report contains a summary of the meetings that the Delegation held with various government representatives, public authorities and civil society, and it also presents a number of recommendations to be implemented at European level and at national level here in Malta.

During the meeting held with civil society representatives aditus reiterated that problems relating to the rule of law in Malta are systematic and stem from the concentration of powers granted to the Prime Minister by the Constitution. Neil, our Director, noted that these concerns existed prior to the election of the current government and to the assassination of Ms. Caruana Galizia. The current system permits the politicisation of national authorities, by allowing the appointment of party affiliates to judicial positions, to monitoring and deciding bodies and to key positions within the administration. Other issues raised during this particular meeting can be found on pages 12 and 13 of the Monitoring Report.

aditus had previously raised these concerns and had called on the Maltese government and Parliament to commit to a governance approach that is built on transparency, inclusivity and accountability. The crisis Malta is facing today can be seen as the direct result of successive governments retaining and strengthening the power-structures, obscuring the lines separating the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government. aditus had also called on civil society to avoid complacency and to expect more and better from any Government of the day and from Parliament, to require from them the most impeccable conduct and, where this fails, to insist on their immediate resignation or removal. However, primarily we recommended the implementation of a true Constitutional reform that will rebuild the nation from its grass roots, with strong and independent democratic institutions that are capable of effectively ensuring the rule of law and respect for fundamental human rights. [Full press releases: The nation deserves better, and more, from Government and Parliament – Joint NGO Press ReleaseJoint NGO letter to the Prime Minister on the recent appointment of Dr. Herrera as Justice Commissioner]. 

In a similar vein, the Platform of Human Rights Organisations in Malta (PHROM) in its 2016 Annual Human Rights Report Protecting Human Rights, Curbing the Rule of Power, flagged “issues of bad governance, lack of transparency and accountability as the most serious concern for the general state of human rights in Malta.” The 31 members of PHROM, which include aditus foundation, cited the Panama Papers scandal, the corruption allegations involving members of the Government and the then upcoming elections as the most worrying obstacles for the fulfilment of human rights in Malta. Finally, PHROM called on the Government to commit governance approach that puts people and the protection of their rights at the centre of their policies, rather than safeguarding the privileges of a few.

In concluding, the Delegation’s Monitoring Report noted that “MEPs expressed serious concerns about the unclear separation of powers, which has been the source for the perceived lack of independence of the judiciary and the police, the weak implementation of anti-money laundering legislation, the serious problems deriving from the ‘investments for citizenship programme’, and the mentions of Maltese politically exposed persons in the Panama Papers and their continuing presence in government.” In tackling the problems identified with the functioning of the rule of law, the Delegation recommended that: 

  • Work is needed to ensure stronger checks and balances in the Maltese legislative framework to better separate powers and to limit possible interference of the Prime Minister in the judiciary and the media;
  • Reform the Attorney General functions, to decouple the role of advisory to the government from the role of prosecution;
  • Reform the Judiciary, namely on the basis of recommendations made in 2013, in order to reinforce the separation of powers and the independence of the Judiciary;
  • The Police Commissioner should no longer be appointed by the Prime Minister but by an appropriate independent body. Similarly, the veto power of the Prime Minister should no longer exist regarding the nomination of the Maltese Chief Justice;
  • An investigation is needed over the alleged influence of elections through increased hirings in the public sector, issuance of construction permits and regularisations of irregular constructions, as well as pay increases and promotions in the military. 

(for the full list of recommendations refer to pages 29-31 of the Monitoring Report)

We call on the Government and Parliament for immediate action by taking these recommendations on board and by kick-starting the process of a proper reform that would ensure good governance, free from corruption and abuse of power and the  functioning of the rule of law, which would guarantee justice, personal security and the protection of fundamental rights for all.


How can I help Malta? Our tips.

The brutal assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia has shocked us all, and whilst many of us (and you) have been attending marches, vigils and protests there’s a lingering feeling that it’s just not enough to bring about the changes we all think Malta needs.

We also understand that you’re not all actively involved with NGOs, but would anyway like to do more to be part of this significant time in Maltese history.

So we thought we could you some ideas on how we think you can actively push Malta towards being a better place for us all, knowing that this is ultimately a process that will take time, effort and commitment.

1. Understand what it is that aditus foundation, and other like-minded NGOs and activists actually think Malta needs.

For us, Daphne’s murder is part of a far bigger context of failed governance in Malta, successfully fabricated by successive Parliaments and Governments. Our full views on this, and what we think should happen, can be read in this short statement. Read it. If you like it, share it. If you don’t like it, tell us why.

2. Support an organisation that is actively working to improve governance in Malta.

Going to every single demonstration can be tiring, and life’s demands might simply not allow you to be as active, vociferous or rebellious as that activist inside you wants you to be. It’s OK, don’t guilt yourself.  Remember that you are surrounded by organisations whose mission is to make Malta a better place.

They need your support, and through them your inner activist can be fulfilled. They need donations (money, or anything you don’t need and can pass on…computer? office furniture?), in-kind support (what are you good at? do you run a company that can offer a needed service?).

Need a list? Head to the list of Member Organisations of Malta’s only human rights platform…a network of NGOs working to promote human rights in all their forms. Pick one, or more. It’s really easy.

PHROM_logo

3. Reveal malpractice and abuse!

Start your own whistle-blower blog calling out corrupt practices, abuse of power and lack of transparency.

Pissed off at the amount of petrol station permits issued? Illegal zoos being sanctioned? Dodgy promotions in the public sector? Maddened by the lenient punishments given to perpetrators of rape, domestic violence? Or judgments with a racial bias? List them, research them, start a blog.

Just keep in mind that getting out there also requires responsibility, sensibility and an understanding of potential implications. For a quick starter you can check our this article on the risks of sharing stuff on social media…if in doubt, call us.

©️ Alexandra Pace.

4. Report crimes when you see them!

Report hate speech online through the online Crime Report system. Do not allow anyone to bully you, or anyone else, into silence by using speech or published text that is illegal.

If in doubt, call us.

5. Put your thoughts on paper and send them to who should be listening!

Organise a group of friends or colleagues and discuss what you think is wrong, and what you want to happen to make Malta a better place…then send your thoughts to the Prime Minister. Or to a newspaper. Or to a Member of Parliament. Or to the European Union. Or to the Council of Europe.

If you’re going to get angry, then make sure someone’s hearing you!

6. Follow us, we’ll be revealing our own plans soon…

In the coming days we will be publicly announcing our own strategy/campaign to deal with the terrible situation the country is in. Follow us (subscribe to our News, visit our Facebook page, get our Tweets) so that you’ll be kept updated..we’ll be needing your input and support!

©️ Alexandra Pace.