23 Jul 20
Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia is murdered. Index join a group of organisations to launch the campaign #JusticeForDaphne. Both the magazine and the website keep up the pressure and focus on Malta through publishing articles about the case and Maltese journalism more broadly. Index campaign regularly outside the Maltese Consulate in London.
The same year the magazine interview Mexican journalist Javier Valdez about difficulties of working in the country. “I’ve had phone calls telling me to stop investigating certain murders or drug bosses. I’ve had to suppress important information because they could have my family killed if I mention it. Sources of mine have been killed or disappeared… The government couldn’t care less. They do nothing to protect you. There have been many cases and this keeps happening.” Valdez is killed one month after publication.
09 Jul 20 | News and features, Statements
12 July marks 1,000 days since the assassination of Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia. On this anniversary, we, the undersigned organisations, once again demand that all those involved in her murder and the corruption she exposed are brought to justice.
In recent weeks, yet more disturbing revelations of state corruption and impunity related to the case continue to emerge, underscoring the weaknesses in Malta’s rule of law, and entrenched impunity for both the murder of Caruana Galizia and the high-level abuses of power she investigated.
During a June 2020 hearing to compile evidence against murder suspect, Yorgen Fenech, the Magistrate ordered the police to investigate former Police Commissioner, Lawrence Cutajar for tipping off middleman, Melvin Theuma. Providing evidence in court, Theuma said Cutajar had informed him that he was under investigation both for the murder of Caruana Galizia and money laundering.
Former Deputy Commissioner and lead investigator, Silvio Valletta is also under investigation for his dealings with Yorgen Fenech, after he fell under suspicion.
At the public inquiry on 1 July, it emerged that the police had failed to take any action against Keith Schembri, in his previous capacity as Chief of Staff for former Prime Minister, Joseph Muscat, and former Energy Minister, Konrad Mizzi after Carauna Galizia revealed they owned offshore Panama companies in 2016. Responding to the testimony of Assistant Commissioner, Ian Abdilla, who has recently been replaced as head of the Economic Crimes Unit, the board of inquiry expressed disbelief that the police had done “absolutely nothing” with regards to the Panama Papers.
On 7 July, sources confirmed that Attorney General, Peter Grech, as the chief prosecutor, sent a note to police in 2016 advising them against investigating the Panama Papers, stressing that such an investigation would be “highly intrusive.” Such direct and unambiguous instructions from the Attorney General to restrict the police investigation into the content of Caruana Galizia’s work violated the responsibility of his post and was a clear obstruction to the course of justice rendering his position as Attorney General untenable.
Investigations in Italy, France, Latvia and Montenegro have also revealed links to corruption related to Caruana Galizia’s investigations in Malta.
Had the corruption which Caruana Galizia exposed – including the Panama Papers – been fully investigated and prosecuted at the time, it could have reduced the risk and isolation that she faced as a journalist, including an orchestrated campaign of harassment and vilification by high-level political and business figures in Malta.
The appointment of a new head of Economic Crimes Unit, Alexandra Mamo, and the nomination of a new Police Commissioner, Angelo Gafà, present an opportunity for the Maltese authorities to commit to tackling long-standing failures to investigate and prosecute allegations of high-level corruption and to reform institutions. In addition, the 18 June Venice Commission opinion on the Maltese government’s rule of law reform proposals is a welcome sign that the Maltese Government recognises the need for fundamental reform.
Prime Minister, Robert Abela has stated that he expects police to investigate “all corners” of the assassination. Today, we reiterate our call that the Maltese authorities honour the legacy of Daphne Caruana Galizia and ensure that all of those implicated in her murder – from the hitmen to the masterminds – are brought to justice and the corruption she revealed is finally prosecuted. The authorities should now establish Joint Investigation Teams with foreign police forces tackling related issues, so that there can finally be an end to impunity in Malta, and full justice for Daphne.
ARTICLE 19
Association of European Journalists (AEJ)
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
Free Press Unlimited
Index on Censorship
International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX)
International Press Institute (IPI)
Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso Transeuropa (OBCT)
PEN International
Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
Scottish PEN
Transparency International
16 Oct 19 | Campaigns -- Featured, Europe and Central Asia, Malta
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Journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was murdered on 16 October 2017
Two years after the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in Malta, on 16 October 2019, we, the undersigned international free expression, anti-corruption, and journalists’ organisations, once again demand an end to impunity for this heinous attack.
Six of our organisations took part in an international freedom of expression mission to Malta one year ago, where, at the highest levels of government, we raised our profound concerns about this case and the broader worrying free expression environment in Malta – which has fallen 30 places over the past two years and is now ranked 77th out of 180 countries in Reporters Without Borders’ World Press Freedom Index.
A full year after our mission, the Maltese authorities have failed to meaningfully address any of the serious concerns we raised, or fully implement any of the recommendations we outlined in our statement of findings as necessary steps towards ensuring justice for Daphne Caruana Galizia and concretely improving the broader freedom of expression situation in Malta.
Following our mission, one member of our delegation was subjected to verbal abuse by the Maltese delegation before the United Nations (UN), in response to her advocacy for justice in the case, an incident which the UN noted in its report on reprisals. Another member of our delegation faced harassment at the Valletta protest memorial site during a subsequent country visit.
Yet these unacceptable acts pale in comparison to the alarming attacks that have continued – and in some cases, escalated – against Daphne Caruana Galizia’s family, citizen journalists and activists who campaign for justice in the case, and professional journalists who continue to pursue public interest investigative reporting in Malta. We also note with deep concern the many vexatious defamation lawsuits that continue posthumously against Daphne Caruana Galizia, including suits brought by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and other senior officials, and the continued destruction of the Valletta protest memorial in her honour, on a daily basis under government orders.
Although we welcomed the Maltese government’s long-overdue announcement on 20 September 2019 that a public inquiry into Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassination would finally be established, we emphasise that an inquiry must be fully independent and impartial. We share the concerns of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) with regard to both the terms of reference and the composition of the Board of Inquiry.
While it does not replace the ultimate need for an independent and effective criminal investigation and prosecution, in light of the serious deficiencies of the current investigation, we believe that a public inquiry represents the best hope of achieving justice for Daphne Caruana Galizia and of ensuring the safety of journalists in Malta. We urge the Maltese government to move forward without further delay in establishing a truly independent and impartial public inquiry in line with PACE’s requirements. We further call on the Maltese government to cease ad hominem attacks on PACE Special Rapporteur Pieter Omtzigt and to cooperate with his mandate in accordance with Malta’s obligations as a Council of Europe Member State.
Today, on 16 October 2019, we are gathering in vigils to remember Daphne Caruana Galizia and renew calls for justice in Valletta, London, Brussels, Berlin, and Vienna. We will continue our campaigning and our joint advocacy at international organisations such as PACE until all those involved in every aspect of this heinous attack are brought to justice – including the masterminds.
We urge the Maltese authorities to ensure that this is the very last anniversary that passes without full justice for Daphne Caruana Galizia.
Signed:
Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
Article 19
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)
European Federation for Journalists (EFJ)
IFEX
Index on Censorship
International Press Institute (IPI)
Pen America
Pen International
Scottish Pen
Transparency International[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_basic_grid post_type=”post” max_items=”4″ element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1571156662446-239de184-0fe4-10″ taxonomies=”18782″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
