Lack of action in Malta after the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia

Reply to Written question | Doc. 15873 | 04 December 2023

Author(s):

Committee of Ministers

Origin

Adopted at the 1482nd meeting of the Ministers’ Deputies (29 November 2023). 2024 - First part-session

Reply to Written question

: Written question no. 786 (Doc. 15818)

1. The Committee of Ministers thanks the Honourable Parliamentarian for his question. It has received information from the Maltese Government indicating that numerous constitutional and institutional reforms have been undertaken to address the shortcomings identified by the public inquiry. The Committee of Ministers has been regularly updated on progress made towards implementation of the recommendations of the public inquiry and on the reform of the legal framework concerning media freedom. The Committee notes also that the Venice Commission, MONEYVAL and GRECO have reported on relevant developments in the context of these reforms.

2. As concerns the trial of the alleged mastermind, the Committee of Ministers is informed that, on 4 October 2023, the Court of Criminal Appeal upheld the decision of the Criminal Court to bring the accused to trial by jury. The first step in this procedure was a sitting of the Criminal Court on 3 November 2023. In view of this development, as well as the fact that the three hitmen involved have already been convicted and sentenced, the Committee of Ministers is satisfied that sufficient progress is being made.

3. In the light of the above, the Committee of Ministers sees no need for it to take any action.