Rule of Law under pressure in Malta: Action by the Commission is needed

Source: S.H. (Sophie) in 't Veld i, published on Thursday, February 1 2018.

Since the murder of the journalist Ms Daphe Caruana Galizia, the Rule of Law situation in Malta has come under increasing scrutiny. The European Parliament undertook a mission to Malta and uncovered some worrying developments. Together with fellow Members of the European Parliament I asked the Commission how it assess the situation and what action it will take.

Question for written answer to the Commission

Rule 130

Sophia in 't Veld (ALDE), Petr Ježek (ALDE), Louis Michel (ALDE), Maite Pagazaurtundúa Ruiz (ALDE), Angelika Mlinar (ALDE), Morten Helveg Petersen (ALDE), Cecilia Wikström (ALDE), Ivan Jakovčić (ALDE)

Subject: The Rule of Law situation in Malta

The murder of journalist Ms. Daphne Caruana Galizia shocked us all. Unfortunately, this event is not isolated from further worrying developments in Malta. Several Members of the European Parliament undertook an ad-hoc Delegation to Malta and drafted a Mission Report.  The findings reveal severe challenges to the Rule of Law in Malta. These include a lack of media freedom, unclear separation of powers, a lack of independence of the judiciary and law enforcement authorities, low effectiveness in the fight against corruption, weak implementation of anti-money laundering legislation, and the sale of citizenship.

  • - 
    Does the Commission consider that the situation constitutes a clear risk of a serious breach of the Rule of Law by Malta?
  • - 
    In view of the fact that mutual recognition and trust form the basis of the EU police and criminal justice cooperation, what action will the Commission take to scrutinise the independence and effective functioning of the Maltese law enforcement authorities, especially in the cooperation between the Europol Financial Intelligence Unit, the Maltese Financial Intelligence Analysis Unit, and the Malta Police? 
  • - 
    Does the Commission agree that a stand-alone anti-corruption report is needed to address the lacking anti-corruption efforts by Malta and that dealing with anti-corruption in the context of the European Semester will not suffice to that end?

Read more ...