Malta: close scrutiny urged as public inquiry into assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia begins

Journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia was killed in a car bomb attack in October 2017

The long awaited public inquiry into the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia will begin this Friday 6 December at the Law Courts in Valletta. For two years, our organisations have supported the family of Daphne Caruana Galizia in calling for an independent, impartial and effective inquiry. The inquiry will address questions including whether the State knew or ought to have known of the risk to Daphne Caruana Galizia’s life; whether they failed to take measures to protect her life; and whether the State is fulfilling its obligations to protect journalists whose lives are at risk from criminal acts. We will be in Malta to monitor the first hearing where Matthew Caruana Galizia and Peter Caruana Galizia will give statements.

The public inquiry is a critical mechanism to ensure the whole truth emerges in the case of Daphne Caruana Galizia. It is essential for ensuring that lessons are learned and implemented to protect other journalists in Malta who remain at great risk. We urge full transparency in the process of the public inquiry, in particular that information pertaining to the inquiry is made publicly available in a timely fashion.

Our organisations strongly urge media, international governmental organisations and diplomats to monitor this opening hearing.

Our organisations will closely monitor the public inquiry, which is set to last 9 months. Sarah Clarke, Head of Europe and Central Asia for ARTICLE 19, will monitor the first hearing at 9am on 6 December.

Signed

ARTICLE 19

Association of European Journalists

Committee to Protect Journalists

European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF)

European Federation of Journalists

Free Press Unlimited (FPU)

IFEX

International Press Institute

PEN International

Reporters Without Borders (RSF)

Transparency International

Scottish PEN

Details:

Friday 6 December 0900 CET

Court of Appeal,

Republic St, Valletta, Malta

Terms of Reference for the Public Inquiry

For media inquiries:

- Pam Cowburn, A19, [email protected], + 44 (0) 7749 785 932

- Flutura Kusari, ECPMF, [email protected], +383 (0) 49 236 664

- Rebecca Vincent, RSF, +44 (0) 20 7324 8903