The European Union's Justice Ministers discussed a general approach on a number of issues, including the fight against domestic violence and anti-SLAPP measures.
Minister for Justice Jonathan Attard participated in the Council of Justice Ministers meeting in Luxembourg, a Department of Information statement said.
The Council adopted a general approach on several proposed directives, including those related to combating violence against women and domestic violence, as well as the issue of SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation).
During the discussion on increasing protection for victims of violence against women and domestic violence Attard said that this future directive would bring positive changes, such as increased awareness and training, enhanced protection for victims, improved access to justice, and harmonization of definitions and criminal sanctions.
Attard said, according to the DOI statement, that the Maltese government’s commitment shows at a national level, mentioning the increase in the number of judges to address the backlog of cases related to domestic violence.
“Legislatively, we not only introduced the crime of femicide in the Criminal Code, but we also adopted the Draft Law on the Prevention of Domestic Violence, which will create a new preventive mechanism allowing individuals in intimate relationships to verify if their partner has a history of domestic violence,” he said.
Regarding the subject of SLAPP, Attard explained Malta's proactive role in this area.
He said that Malta continues to strongly support European-level action aimed at providing adequate and uniform safeguards for journalists, as well as defenders of human rights involved in public participation in judicial proceedings that are manifestly unfounded or abusive within the European Union.
Attard added that at the national level, the government is awaiting the return of the Media Expert Committee with further considerations on three Draft Laws submitted to Parliament, which, among other things, aim to provide the highest level of protection to journalists in their reporting.
Another discussed topic was the protection of LGBTIQ individuals in the European Union, where Malta emphasized the importance of ambition.
“In Malta, we take pride in our successes in securing the highest classification of protections for LGBTIQ rights and human rights in Europe for a consecutive year. At the same time, we remain committed to taking further action,” Attard said.
The Justice Ministers' agenda also included discussions on combating impunity related to Russian criminal acts, the definition of criminal offenses and penalties for the breach of Union restrictive measures, asset confiscation and recovery, the prevention and fight against human trafficking, and the protection of its victims.