A recent report by the Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation highlights a concerning trend in Malta’s justice system: murders are outpacing court verdicts four to one. This means that for every four murders committed in Malta, only one results in a court verdict. The foundation, which was established to pursue public accountability and justice for the assassination of investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, attributes this disparity to delays in legal proceedings and a lack of effective investigation mechanisms.
The report’s findings are particularly alarming given Malta’s already fragile rule of law and history of impunity for crimes against journalists. Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder in 2017 was a stark reminder of the risks faced by journalists who speak truth to power. Although five individuals have been convicted in connection with her assassination, including two gang members who supplied the car bomb, the alleged mastermind, Yorgen Fenech, is still awaiting trial.
The Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation is calling for reforms to address the systemic failures that allow such impunity to persist. They advocate for the implementation of recommendations from the Public Inquiry into Daphne’s assassination, which include strengthening the capacity to tackle corruption and enhancing safety for journalists. The foundation’s report serves as a wake-up call for Maltese authorities to take concrete action to address these issues and ensure that justice is served for all victims of crime.
