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Reply to Written question | Doc. 14515 | 22 March 2018
The assassination of Ms Daphne Caruana Galizia
1. 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 set out in its Recommendation CM/Rec(2016)4 on the protection of journalism and safety of journalists
and other media actors.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.