The government has reaffirmed its commitment to the promotion of human rights at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms and Equality Rebecca Buttigieg attended the 53rd session of the Human Rights Council (HRC), serving as one of the most important global forums for the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide.

During a dialogue session focusing on violence against women and girls, Buttigieg highlighted Malta's commitment to tackling the scourge of domestic violence and its impact on the lives of victims.

She said that just a few weeks ago, the Maltese Parliament approved the Draft Law on the Prevention of Domestic Violence.

"This new legislation will provide new tools and support for individuals at risk of domestic violence and offer the necessary assistance to break the cycle of violence. Moreover, it will enable individuals in intimate relationships to submit an application to the Victim Support Agency to check if their partner has a history of domestic violence," Buttigieg said.

Buttigieg held several bilateral meetings, including with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk and the President of the Human Rights Council Václav Bálek.

The meetings emphasized that human rights should establish the standards by which we strive to live in peace and dignity.

"On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it is crucial for every country to work towards promoting the values of equality, respect, and justice, which are the foundations of a strong and healthy democracy," she said.

Buttigieg also met with Special Representative of Argentina on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Alba Rueda, the Special Representative of the United States on LGBTIQ Persons Jessica Stern, as well as with the Independent Experts of the United Nations on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Victor Madrigal-Boloz.

Buttigieg shared Malta's experiences in the field of civil rights and highlighted the ongoing efforts in the country, noting that Malta will be hosting the Europride event in September.

She explained that the Maltese government has launched its third national strategy for LGBTIQ+ rights, which is built upon ten pillars. The strategy includes measures to effectively combat hate speech and misinformation, Buttigieg said.