Flutura Kusari The European Centre for Press and Media Freedom

What is your own impression of the delegation’s visit to Malta?

First of all, I appreciate the fact that the Prime Minister found time for a two-hour meeting with us, at which he was open to our questions, unlike my experience when I met former Prime Minister Robert Fico in Slovakia a few days after Jan Kucak was murdered. However, I do feel that Mr Muscat had already taken his decision on how he would proceed when it came to the Daphne case and that he was not very open to our suggestions and recommendations.

My general impression was that he was there to listen but not to agree. Beyond our calls for a public inquiry, I was also interested to get his perspective regarding his ab- sence of interviews with journalists and his position on the continued defamation lawsuits against Daphne’s family. With regard to the latter, the PM told us that he did not know what do any more, because if the lawsuits were withdrawn they would be criticised, and if they continue with them, they will also be criticised. We also spoke about the Egrant Inquiry and Mr Muscat told us that he is asking the relevant authorities to see whether he is able to publish it.

Based on your meeting with Prime Minister Muscat, do you think any of the delegation’s recommendations will be followed up?

I don’t know, but I would expect him to respond positively. I am sceptical, to be honest. From what we saw, I think he has a clear strategy on how he will proceed and that does not involve a public inquiry. Now, he is trying to delay the commencement of such an inquiry with legal tricks.

Critics argue that international delegations who visit Malta can paint a one-sided superficial picture of the current situation here. Can you comment?

My response to the critics who believe that we are focusing too much on Malta is to ask whether they can find another case such as Daphne’s, in another European country, where a person was murdered by a bomb in front of her family. If they can, I would accept the criticism.

I understand that the people of Malta may find it difficult to have all this international attention on their country, but this is not our fault: the responsibility lies with the government. I think people should be asking the government why they did nothing to prevent Daphne’s death, when she had reported receiving threats. It was up to the Maltese government to deal with the case, not us. Photos: Alenka Falzon