MEPs travel to Malta to meet with Government, NGOs and journalists

The European Parliament has said that following developments in the investigation into the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia in 2017, MEPs will visit Malta between the 3rd and 4th of December, “to take stock of the situation on the ground.”

In a statement it said that “in light of recent political and judicial developments in Malta and continuing its long-standing defence of the rule of law in the EU, the European Parliament has decided to send a delegation on a fact-finding mission to review the situation on the ground.”

The delegation, which is expected to arrive in Malta on Monday evening, comprises one MEP from each political group:

· Roberta METSOLA (EPP, MT)

· Birgit SIPPEL (S&D, DE)

· Sophie IN ‘T VELD (Renew, NL – delegation Chair)

· Sven GIEGOLD (Greens/EFA, DE)

· Nicolaus FEST (ID, DE – arriving on 3/12)

· Assita KANKO (ECR, BE)

· Stelios KOULOGLOU (GUE/NGL, EL)

During these two days, in addition to meeting the family of Daphne Caruana Galizia and civil society representatives including NGOs and journalists, MEPs said that they will meet with:

· Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Dr. Owen Bonnici, the Minister for Justice, Culture and Local Government

· Dr George Vella, President of the Republic of Malta

· Dr Peter Grech, Attorney General

· Anglu Farrugia, Speaker of the House of Representatives

· Lawrence Cutajar Police Commissioner

· Representatives from the Malta Chamber of advocates.

Following visits to Malta and Slovakia in the aftermath of the murders of the Maltese blogger and journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, and the Slovak journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée, the Civil Liberties Committee set up its Rule of Law Monitoring Group in June 2018.

Having looked into concerns about the progress of the investigations, as well as allegations of harassment, intimidation, corruption and fraud, the European Parliament noted that the final report “identified serious shortcomings in the rule of law.”

In the 9th parliamentary term, the Democracy, Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Monitoring Group will monitor and report on relevant issues across all member states until 31 December 2021.

The EP said that newly arising issues can be added to the DRFMG scope if Members representing a committee majority agree.

The Monitoring Group continues to review the situation on Malta. It said that in its latest meeting on the 28th of November, the DRFMG discussed the latest developments in Malta and received an update from Europol regarding the support given by the EU Agency.

It reiterates its resolution from March this year, “in particular the need for full clarity and for justice to be done in the Daphne Caruana Galizia murder case.”

File photograph by Alain Salvary