MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the rule of law in Malta

10.11.2017 - (2017/2935(RSP))

to wind up the debate on the statements by the Council and the Commission
pursuant to Rule 123(2) of the Rules of Procedure

Miriam Dalli, Alfred Sant, Marlene Mizzi, Biljana Borzan, Claudiu Ciprian Tănăsescu, Tonino Picula, Nicola Danti, Enrico Gasbarra, Miltiadis Kyrkos, Elena Valenciano, Simona Bonafè, Cécile Kashetu Kyenge, Eva Kaili, Paul Brannen, Boris Zala, Kathleen Van Brempt, Monika Beňová, Paul Tang, Kati Piri, Carlos Zorrinho, Claude Moraes, Sergei Stanishev, Miapetra Kumpula-Natri, Tibor Szanyi, Brando Benifei, Wajid Khan, Hugues Bayet, Maria Grapini, Andrejs Mamikins, John Howarth, Soraya Post, Isabella De Monte, Julie Ward, Neena Gill, Jeppe Kofod, Victor Boştinaru, Jude Kirton-Darling, Rory Palmer, Cătălin Sorin Ivan, Seb Dance on behalf of the S&D Group

B8‑0596/2017

European Parliament resolution on the rule of law in Malta

(2017/2935(RSP))

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to Rule 123(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas the European Union is founded on the values of respect for human dignity and human rights, and on freedom, democracy, equality and the rule of law; whereas these values are universal and common to the Member States;

B.  whereas the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia led to peaceful street demonstrations in Malta calling for justice, accountability and respect for the rule of law;

C.  whereas the EU functions on the presumption of mutual trust that Member States conform with democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights, as enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights and in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union;

D.  whereas according to the Maltese Police Act (Chapter 164 of the Laws of Malta), the Police Commissioner in Malta is directly appointed by the government;

E.  whereas Malta has been a Member State of the European Union since 2004; whereas according to opinion polls, a large majority of Maltese citizens are in favour of the country’s EU membership;

F.  whereas the most recent polls among Maltese citizens show that the major institutions are trusted by the majority, with trust ratings of 72 % for the government, 69 % for the police force, 51 % for the law courts and 51 % for the media;

1.  Condemns the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia and calls on the Maltese Government to deploy all resources to bring her murderers to justice;

2.  Acknowledges efforts undertaken by the Maltese Government to carry out independent investigations into the murder, which include the collaboration of Europol and other third-country forces, including the FBI and Dutch forensic experts;

3.  Registers the genuine concern that this case has aroused among its members, particularly given that it constitutes a direct threat to freedom of expression;

4.  Notes the frequently expressed concerns by members of this House about citizenship by investment schemes in general in some EU Member States;

5.  Is concerned about the involvement of politicians in the Panama Papers scandal;

6.  Invites the Maltese Government to be transparent with all relevant EU institutions on all matters arising from the aforementioned concerns, in an impartial, evidence-based and cooperative way;

7.  Reiterates the need for a regular process of dialogue involving all Member States in order to safeguard the EU’s fundamental values of democracy, fundamental rights and the rule of law;

8.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the Council of Europe and the President of the Republic of Malta.