A protest will take place in front of Parliament on Wednesday, 2 April at 6pm, "to make a final appeal to Members of Parliament not to weaken the fight against crime and corruption."

The protest is against a bill put forward by the government aimed at changing the way magisterial inquiries are requested.

The announcement was made by Repubblika, #occupyjustice, Fondazione Falcone, Aditus Foundation, The Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation, Vuċi Kollettiva, and PEN Malta.

"Bill 125 removes a right that citizens currently have to directly request a magisterial inquiry into crimes ignored by the police and the Attorney General. The rule of law requires that crime be investigated by a State that does not show favouritism. While we appreciate the work of the institutions, we also know that when it comes to crimes with political consequences, our institutions are often captured and ineffective."

"In a democracy, citizens have a say in the pursuit of justice, and it is an act of tyranny for the government to attempt to suppress that voice."

"Enacting Bill 125 into law goes against democracy, against the rule of law, and against the Constitution. We appeal to all citizens of goodwill to come in front of Parliament on Wednesday and raise their voices in a sincere appeal to prevent our country from taking this serious step backwards," the groups said.