Civil society groups gathered in Valletta today to protest against the government’s draft bill restricting the people’s right to request magisterial inquiries into corruption and misuse of public funds. Addressing the crowds, activists accused Prime Minister Robert Abela of attempting to shield officials from accountability and undermining judicial independence.
Vicki Ann Cremona, President of Repubblika, denounced the law as a blatant attempt to silence those demanding justice, warning it would remove a valuable tool for exposing corruption, like the hospitals deal scandal. She urged members of the Labour Party to oppose the bill and called on citizens to resist any move against the rule of law.
Andrew Drago, President, Għaqda Studenti tal-Liġi, also raised serious concerns, insisting the draft legislation threatens the independence of the judiciary and undermines the principle of separation of powers. He warned that transfer of magisterial inquiries to the Attorney General and police may allow authorities to obstruct investigations of corruption and political abuse. Drago emphasised that instead of supporting the rule of law as recommended by the Daphne Caruana Galizia public inquiry, the government is in fact doing the opposite — limiting avenues for justice and reinforcing a culture of impunity.
Louiselle Vassallo of Occupy Justice criticised the government for failing to act on the public inquiry into the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia’s recommendations. She accused Abela for selectively using his powers to suppress accountability while taking no action regarding corruption and press freedom concerns.
Manuel Delia labelled the bill an authoritarian move designed to protect those in power. He highlighted how this law would strip the magistrates’ independent investigatory power and give more strength to the Attorney General and police. He warned that if institutions fail in their role to preserve justice, then democracy itself is at risk.
Jason Azzopardi highlighted the threat that ongoing Magisterial Inquiries face with the government’s proposed reform. He also encouraged people present not to give up their fight for our democracy during this critical time.
The activists called on MPs to vote against the bill and urged President Myriam Spiteri Debono to step in. They promised to keep fighting through petitions, lawsuits, and public pressure, insisting that Malta must never allow impunity to be legislated into the system.
Newsroom
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