Parliament reviews the developments in the investigation into Daphne Caruana Galizia’s death and the ensuing political reforms, five years after her murder. Parliament has followed closely the Maltese authorities’ response to Ms Caruana Galizia’s murder and the rule of law shortcomings it revealed in the judicial system, the protection of journalists, corruption and the country’s citizenship and residence by investment schemes.

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

IN 'T VELD, Sophia (Renew, NL)

freedom of press and media (T)

EU mechanism on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights (T)

CASA, David (EPP, MT)

EU - Malta (T)

REYNDERS, Didier (BE, EC)

FREUND, Daniel (Greens/EFA, DE)

Daphne Caruana Galizia prize for journalism (T)

ENGERER, Cyrus (S&D, MT)

The Rule of Law in Malta, five years after the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia: extracts from the debate

https://api.multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/documents/20125/65931502/1666027925468_I231795Chapters%5BSD-EN%5D.srt

SOUNDBITE (French), Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, Since that murder. The commission has always underlined that Daphne Caravana Galizia, her family and Maltese society as a whole, deserved for justice to be done. Now that I know is also a priority for the European Parliament.

SOUNDBITE (French), Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, - There was a report that was drawn up in 2021 and we have seen a remarkable initiative of independence and transparency as a result, five years after what happened, it's vital that the criminal investigation be carried out properly, fully and notably those who ordered this murder should be held accountable and responsible in courts.

SOUNDBITE (English), Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, However, several challenges remain. For example, the efficiency of justice in particular the length of proceedings has continued to deteriorate in recent years.

SOUNDBITE (English), Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, - While some steps have been taken to depoliticise the appointment of the Chief Justice, the fact that there is no involvement of the judiciary in this process requires further attention. The Commission has recommended to Malta to address this situation, taking into account European standards on judicial assessments and appointments and the opinions of the Venice Commission.

SOUNDBITE (English), Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, - While Malta has suspended its scheme in March for Russian and Belarusian nationals, it has not expressed any intention to end it for nationals of other countries. As our concerns remain, the Commission decided decided last month to refer Malta to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

SOUNDBITE (English), Didier REYNDERS, European Commissioner for Justice, - We recommend Malta to strengthen the rules to enhance the independence of public service media. We also recommend to advance with the introduction of legislative and order safeguards to improve the working environment of journalists, including on access to official documents.

SOUNDBITE (Maltese), David CASA (EPP, MT), Two days ago, the two brothers who set off the bomb admitted their guilt and they will spend 40 years in prison. And this is an important step, but a small one. Complete justice still hasn't been served since she was killed for exposing criminality. On this front, we are still lagging behind. The murderers were caught. Now it is the turn of politicians and officials who played their role.

SOUNDBITE (English), Cyrus ENGERER (S&amp;D, MT), In five years, seven journalists have been unacceptably killed in our union, and our European response is anti slap legislatio. Important but not enough. Back home, we are undergoing an overhaul of our judicial institutions, the political and media setup. It gives me hope. Reforms are being praised by international institutions. But when all this is done, this tool will not be enough. What we need is to heal as a nation from political divisions rooted in the past. Our challenge is to fight hate, classism, the belief that opinions are superior to others.

SOUNDBITE (English), Sophia IN &apos;T VELD (Renew, NL), Justice must be done and the rule of law must prevail. Impunity must end really and truly, not just for Daphne, but for all people of Malta and of Europe. In these turbulent and insecure times, Europeans are entitled to stable, reliable, honest government and journalists are vital for keeping governments honest. They are the oxygen of democracy.

SOUNDBITE (English), Daniel FREUND (Greens/EFA, DE), I spoke to Daphne' sons just just earlier today. They told me that there still has not been a single corruption prosecution in Malta since the murder of their mother, the mastermind behind the assassin assassination is still at large. And some of the policies that enabled the corruption and Malta are still there. You can still buy a passport ,the cooperation of the European prosecutor still not ideal.