Two draft laws in favour of persons with disabilities that were launched for public consultation in recent days have been well received both locally and by the European Disability Movement, the government said Friday. These two laws aim to guarantee the fundamental rights of every person with a disability in our country and fall under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Malta, together with Ireland, Spain, and Austria, will be among the first countries in Europe to fulfil its obligations under Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The first draft is the Personal Autonomy Act, which will guarantee that every individual has the right to decide about their daily life. A new system of supported decision-making has been introduced, which respects the dignity of the person with a disability and reduces situations where others make decisions on their behalf, except in truly extreme cases.

The second draft is the Protection of Adults in Situations of Vulnerability Act (PASVA). This law will create a legal framework to protect these individuals from abuse, harm, or neglect. It will also introduce a vetting system for workers and volunteers in this sector, along with a blacklisting register for those found guilty of an offence against a vulnerable adult.

Alejandro Moledo, Deputy Director and Head of Policy at the European Disability Forum-the organisation that unites the European Disability Movement-said the Forum noted with satisfaction Malta's decision on these laws and hopes that the development of the legislation continues with close cooperation and meaningful involvement of persons with disabilities and their organisations. He added that they look forward not only to the adoption of the law but also to its implementation that has real impact, so that the laws bring change to the daily lives of people with disabilities.

Marthese Mugliette, President of the Malta Federation of Organisations of Persons with Disability (MFOPD), said: "Society as a whole is truly complete and improves further when every individual within society, including persons with disabilities, has access to autonomy, and this Autonomy Law helps make that possible. The fact that these two laws were developed in full consultation with persons with disabilities and their NGOs shows how much we truly believe in persons with disabilities themselves."

Karen Buttigieg, President of the National Parents' Society of Persons with Disability (NPSPD), said: "As parents of persons with disabilities, we do not believe that there should be control over the person with a disability. In fact, we want our children, when they grow up and become adults in society, to be able to participate more freely."

Professor Anne-Marie Callus, from the Department of Disability Studies in the Faculty for Social Wellbeing at the University of Malta, described the Autonomy Law as: "Important because it safeguards the fundamental rights of persons with disabilities and ensures that those who need help in making decisions, instead of having someone else decide for them, receive the support they need."

Dr Christian Camilleri, a lawyer and disability rights activist, stated: "These laws are an important step to build upon the achievements of recent years. While the Autonomy Law reduces the need for persons with disabilities to remain dependent on others, the Vulnerability Law will offer protection in situations where a person must rely on others. The perception of persons with disabilities in society should improve, especially after they exercise the autonomy they have gained."

On the occasion of the launch of the public consultation for these two draft laws, the Minister for Inclusion and Volunteering, Julia Farrugia, described this step as a historic one: "Towards a fairer, more humane, and truly inclusive Malta. Laws that are not just reforms on paper. They are a clear affirmation of our values as a society that believes in the dignity, autonomy, and rights of every person, regardless of disability, age, or health. We are shifting from a system that decides who has the right to make decisions for themselves to one that empowers the individual, with the support they need."

The public consultation document is accessible at http://publicconsultation.gov.mt, where suggestions and comments will be accepted until August 8, 2025. Emails may also be sent to [email protected] or by post to:

Directorate for Disability Affairs,
Ministry for Inclusion and Volunteering,
Triq in-Negozju,
Birkirkara CBD 3000.