Restoring Rule of Law is the best way to honour Daphne’s Legacy

During the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg a debate took place to mark 7 years from the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia and take stock of the state of the rule of law in Malta. PN Head of Delegation David Casa and MEP Peter Agius participated in the debate.

The MEPs made reference to the recommendations of the public inquiry, and took aim at the Maltese government for not implementing them. They further noted that the culture of impunity that made the assassination possible is still very much prevalent today and pointed to the lack of convictions for the corruption that Daphne exposed.

MEP David Casa stated: “We must work to ensure justice not only for the assassination itself but also for all the corruption that Daphne revealed through her investigative work. This, together with the state of the implementation of the public inquiry recommendations must be the gauge for whether the rule of law in Malta is functioning”.

Mr Casa further called on the Commission to ensure robust monitoring and effective consequences for the Maltese government’s rule of law failings. “The institutions must protect the people not corrupt politicians. It is when the integrity of our institutions are truly restored that we will do justice to Daphne’s legacy”.

On his part MEP Peter Agius notes that “for seven years, instead of reforms the Maltese government has taken our democracy in the opposite direction. Now the government wants to introduce new criminal libel laws. Instead of protecting journalists, they want to protect corrupt politicians!”

Dr Agius concluded in stating that “The time has come for the next European Commission to take off the velvet gloves and ensure that Malta upholds the rule of law and press freedom— not just on paper, but in practice!”