Malta: Universal Periodic Review updated summary and recommendations

The Human Rights Council in Session

PEN International has today published an updated summary, recommendations and advance question for UN member states on the situation of freedom of expression in Malta ahead of its human rights review before the UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) which will take place on 14 November 2018.

The coalition finds that freedom of expression in the country has deteriorated significantly in the lead up to and aftermath of the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia, Malta's best-known investigative journalist in October 2017. With respect to her murder, the coalition urges UN member states to recommend that Malta establish a public inquiry into the killing of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia to probe whether her death could have been prevented and to learn lessons for the future.

This is update is based on the joint March 2018 report by PEN International, ARTICLE 19, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the International Press Institute (IPI) and the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) which focuses on Malta’s compliance with international human rights obligations with respect to freedom of expression (Article 19) and, in relation to the killing of journalists and the issue of impunity, the investigative duty under the right to life (Article 6) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) to which Malta is a state party. In particular the submission details the coalition’s concerns relating to:

1. Safety of journalists and the issue of impunity for violence and the killing of journalists;

2. Legislative restrictions on freedom of expression;

3. Freedom of information;

4. Lack of media pluralism.

Read the updated UPR summary, recommendations and advance question

For further information, please contact Sarah Clarke, Advocacy Manager, sarah.clarke@pen-international.org.