The Malta Observatory on Femicide said Wednesday it is concerned by the outcome of the trial for the femicide of Sion Grech.

A trial by jury that ended last week led to the acquittal of two men who had been accused of the murder of Sion Grech back in 2005.

We cannot but show our full support to Sion’s family and the LGBTIQ community and women in Malta and note that justice delayed, has been justice denied, the observatory said

It added that the group is deeply troubled by:

The length of time that this case has taken to reach a jury, the lack of proper preservation of evidence and inadmissibility of evidence due to it not being properly kept at law, the lack of sensitivity towards the victim and the witnesses, despite that the Istanbul Convention clearly states that the past of victim should not be used to tarnish the victim’s reputation and credibility, and comments passed about the lifestyle of the victim and witnesses.

For these reasons, the observatory called on the courts to ensure continuous ongoing training to its members of the judiciary with regards to their duty, as well as sensitivity and understanding of the requirements set forth by the Istanbul Convention and harmful attitudes and negative impact of gender stereotyping .

It also called upon the Chamber of Advocates and the Faculty of Laws to provide ongoing training to lawyers and all those working in the legal profession with regards to re-victimisation, the effects of harmful attitudes and negative impact of gender stereotyping as well as obligations set forth by various laws and treaties.

The observatory also called on the Government to provide the courts with a more expedient and efficient mechanism.

“We call on the State to ensure that there is an ongoing awareness raising campaign on the Istanbul Convention as well as better understanding of the needs and compassion towards those most vulnerable in our society,” the observatory said.