Council of Europe expresses confidence in Maltese authorities over slain journalist investigation

The Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers has responded to a question posed by a European Parliamentarian regarding assassinated journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, and about accusations of money laundering by government officials and their relatives.

In his question, Dutch Parliamentarian Pieter Omtzigt told the COE’s Committee of Ministers: “On 16 October 2017, Ms Daphne Caruana Galizia, the prominent journalist who led the Panama Papers investigations in Malta, was assassinated in a car bomb. ln 2016 and 2017, Ms Caruana Galizia revealed, among other things, that the Maltese Prime Minister’s wife, his chief of staff and a government minister own secret Panamanian companies. Ms Caruana Galizia also reported failure of the police to investigate evidence revealed by whistleblowers and subject of a highly critical report of the Maltese Financial Intelligence Unit. This is confirmed by a European Parliament fact-finding mission to Malta.”

He asked: “Will you request formal explanations from the Maltese Government on its Police Force’s failure to investigate evidence of money laundering by government officials and their relatives, on its failure to adequately protect Ms Caruana Galizia and on the protection it intends to afford to the relevant whistleblowers?”

In their response, the Committee of Ministers said:

“The Committee of Ministers recalls that freedom of expression and information is safeguarded by Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which all member States of the Council of Europe have undertaken to respect. The Committee of Ministers attaches high importance to the protection and safety of journalists, in accordance with the principles and guidelines on the protection of journalism and safety of journalists and other media actors.”

“The Committee of Ministers points out that since Ms Daphne Caruana Galizia was assassinated, the delegation of Malta has twice provided information on the steps taken by the Maltese authorities on this issue and on the results achieved at this stage.”

“As far as the allegations which the Honourable Parliamentarian refers to are concerned, the delegation of Malta indicated that they were the object of an ongoing judicial inquiry. It also informed the Committee of Ministers of the Commissioner for Human Rights’ visit to Malta in November 2017 and of the report thereon, of the upcoming visit by GRECO, to be followed by a monitoring evaluation by MONEYVAL. The delegation of Malta explained that the necessary investigations are being conducted by independent judicial bodies and in full co-operation with all competent Council of Europe mechanisms in place. It expressed its commitment to keep the Committee of Ministers fully informed of any conclusions to be reached.”

“In view of the above information, the Committee of Ministers does not see any reason for taking additional measures. It is confident that the Maltese authorities will continue to make appropriate use of all the means and mechanisms in place both in the Council of Europe and at domestic level and in full respect with the fundamental values and standards of the Council of Europe.”