In its resolution adopted with 564 votes in favour, 10 against, and 17 abstentions on Thursday, the European Parliament acknowledged the progress in ongoing judicial proceedings over the murder of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, "and the Maltese Prime Minister's public apology for the state's shortcomings that could have contributed to the murder," the European Parliament said in a statement.

However, MEPs deeply regret that investigations have led to only three convictions related to the carrying out of her assassination. They insist that everyone involved, at every level, need to be brought to justice, and "the full and continuous involvement of Europol" is needed.

MEPs are also concerned that, one year after its publication, the implementation of the recommendations in the final report of a public inquiry into the killing "is deficient, despite a number of reforms put forward by the government. They are appalled by the lack of progress in prosecuting the high-level corruption and money laundering that Daphne Caruana Galizia had been investigating, and are alarmed by the 'institutional failure of law enforcement and justice', including the recent revelations of repeated inaction on European Arrest Warrants," the statement continued.

Among the only ten MEPs who voted against the resolution, were those elected from the Labour Party - Alfred Sant, Alex Agius Saliba, Josianne Cutajar and Cyrus Engerer. The rest were from the Identity and Democracy party. All other members from the Socialists and Democrats Party, of which the PL MEPs form part of within the European Parliament, voted in favour of the resolution. 

The statement by the European Parliament following the resolution, read that "the European Parliament voices an array of further concerns, including: The length and inefficiency of investigative and judicial proceedings; Allegations of money laundering and corruption; The relatively low number of cases referred to the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) and the reported lack of cooperation from Maltese authorities; The impunity afforded to the former Prime Minister, his chief of staff, and the former minister for tourism; And obstacles to media freedom and pluralism."

"MEPs welcome the additional resources to support investigations and prosecutions, reforms to the appointment procedure for judges and to the Attorney General's office and role, several government proposals to improve media freedom (which would need, however, to ensure that relevant European and international standards are met), and the amendment of Malta's Protection of the Whistleblower Act."

Every October, the European Parliament awards the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for outstanding journalism that promotes or defends the core principles and values of the European Union such as human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law, and human rights. This year it rewarded Clément Di Roma and Carol Valade for their documentary "The Central African Republic under Russian influence".

Parliament has also condemned the criminalisation of, attacks on, and killings of journalists, including those of Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová in 2018, of Viktoria Marinova also in 2018, and of George Karaivaz and Peter R. de Vries in 2021.

In justifying their decision to vote against the resolution, PL MEPs Josianne Cutajar and Alex Agius Saliba said that as PL MEPs, they were "again united in favour of our country"

Cutajar said that the PL MEPs were united "against half-facts and partisan and impartial picture that others again tried to paint. A picture that does not do good for the positive will and important reforms that the government implemented and is implementing in the sectors of good governance and the rule of law."

 

PN MEP David Casa, who voted in favour of the resolution, said that in five years, MEPs have seen "more examples of impunity than they have seen of convictions."

"MEPs expressed themselves strongly in the debate on Monday. It is evident they are losing faith in the promises of the Labour Government. There is a rift between the promises made and the results delivered."

"The assassins have been caught," Casa remarked. "The Parliament acknowledges this. But it is now sending the message that it is time to seek justice for the politicians and officials and the roles they played.

"It is a shame that the only time we see a modicum of progress in Malta is when we ramp up scrutiny of the Labour Government."

In a statement, the PN said that the resolution is a condemnation against Robert Abela’s government which confirms that it is continuing to protect Joseph Muscat.

The PN said that its unacceptable that the country’s institutions are continually by Robert Abela and the Labour government in order for them to not take action against Muscat, Keith Schembri or Konrad Mizzi.

The party said that the European Parliament is right to have serious misgivings about the full impunity which the trio still enjoy.

“The PN reminds Robert Abela that those who do not fight corruption are themselves corrupt,” the party said.