The European Parliament’s Committee on Financial Crimes, Tax Evasion and Tax Avoidance today urged governments to introduced legislation against SLAPP cases.

A strategic lawsuit against public participation (SLAPP) is a lawsuit that is intended to censor, intimidate, and silence critics by burdening them with the cost of a legal defenseuntil they abandon their criticism or opposition. Such lawsuits have been made illegal in many jurisdictions on the grounds that they impede freedom of speech.

Partit Nazzjonalista’s Head of Delegation in the European Parliament David Casa, a member on the committee, stated: “The Committee has called on national governments to introduce anti-SLAPP legislation to protect journalists and for concrete action to also be taken at the EU level.

“In addition, following the hearing on 17 Black, MEPs have expressed their deep concern over the situation in Malta and the political inaction on cases of high-level corruption and money laundering involving Maltese politicians. The Committee has demanded that the UAE ensures that funds frozen in 17 Black’s bank accounts remain frozen and highlighted the lack of independence of both the Maltese FIAU and the Maltese Commissioner of Police”.

 

The report also dealt with issues of taxation that a number of member states, including Malta, strongly oppose. “I submitted amendments to any such provisions in the drafting phase of this report and strongly opposed any clauses that could have had a negative impact on Malta’s taxation system in the vote today. I have always vociferously defended Malta’s taxation system and will always continue to do so,” stated Casa.