Justice Minister Owen Bonnici said in Parliament that the proposed Victims of Crime Bill is the beginning of the road for victims' rights.

Winding up the Victims of Crime Bill, Justice Minister Owen Bonnici expressed his pleasure at agreement over the bill by both sides of the floor.

"I think this proposed law is important, as it is a part of a European programme of laws that must be introduced. We are obligated to implement these laws. The government is committed to try and get as much agreement in Parliament with regards to the justice sector as possible".

"The most important thing we can do is not create controversy in the Judicial sector. Many times in the past, Ministers for Justice came from defence attorney backgrounds.  This meant that the first rights one would see are the rights of those arrested, which are crucial. However in the victims' rights sector, development was slower. I believe this bill is a good step, however doesn't mean that this is the end of the road to protect the rights of victims. This is the beginning of the road for victims' rights".

"I believe it will help victims acquire information on their case, where their case is heading and gather enough information to help them understand what is happening in their case. While working as a lawyer, I used to see elderly persons heading into court without legal help, not understanding anything that is going on. They would find a lawyer who they saw on TV and ask questions, sometimes resulting in the lawyer telling him to seek official legal advice.  This law forces the state to give all relevant information so that the everyday person could understand what is going on in their case".

These rights will cost money, he said. "Every new right requires funds, however the price of doing nothing in my view is worse than the price of helping people understand what is going on in their court proceedings. In order to live in a just society, that celebrates fear hearing, then there is no price tag for that right".

Regarding political responsibility for this law, an amendment will be put forward to ensure that the Minister of Justice will take responsibility for this laws implementation.

"If this law, as well as others required by the EU are not implemented, then we would be fined".

Turning to physical violence and domestic violence, the Minister said that these are very delicate proceedings." I will never accept going to the family court for a case and having to wait for an hour and a half, as one after another, police are unable to find the accused. I will not allow these situations to continue. I want to send a message to the Police Corps, they must ensure that justice is served, they are obliged to do so. They have an even greater obligation to vulnerable persons".

If you are a police and are contributing to these problems. How could you be unable to bring an accused forward after one and a half years?.