Events remembering the ninth year after Daphne Caruana Galizia was murdered continued on Friday evening as demonstrators returned to Valletta to protest for justice for Daphne Caruana Galizia. The demonstration, held as part of the monthly vigil organised by Repubblika was much more numerously attended then usual.
During her speech, Repubblika president Vicki Ann Cremona said the State had failed to deliver justice for Daphne Caruana Galizia, warning that powerful private interests continued to exert influence over public institutions.
Professor Cremona recalled Daphne’s investigations into the Panama Papers, 17 Black and Electrogas, which exposed links between Joseph Muscat’s administration and the criminal udnerworld. She added that hatred had been directed at the journalist to distract the public from scandals of corruption and the abuse of power.
She then argued that Malta’s Constitution promised justice without distinction, but that powerful and corrupt private interests were preventing the State from fulfilling that promise.
Professor Cremona also called for citizens to take a more active role in shaping the country’s future, saying they could no longer rely solely on politicians to introduce meaningful reforms. She pointed to the Civic Constitutional Convention organised by Repubblika as an opportunity for people with different views to discuss the country’s democratic future and the need for stronger safeguards against corruption.
Other speakers at Friday’s gathering included Francesca Rispoli, co-president of Italy’s anti-mafia network Libera, and Anna Myers, founder and executive director of the Whistleblowing International Network.
Rispoli urged those present to reject silence and resignation, telling the crowd: “We are the noise they did not want.” She said the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia should serve as a reminder of the importance of speaking out against organised crime and corruption.
You can watch footage of the demonstration and speeches here.
Photos by Repubblika.
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