In the context of the 3rd part of the 2022 session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), MP Mr. George Loucaides, Rapporteur of the Assembly's Monitoring Committee on Malta's Commitments and Obligations to the Council of Europe, presented today his report and resolution, which was adopted unanimously.
The report and resolution assesses the progress made in the functioning of democratic institutions in the country, identifies the main challenges that remain and makes recommendations to better address them.
In his presentation, Mr Loucaides said that, in recent years, various crises have highlighted structural and other systemic weaknesses in the country, which undermine the proper functioning of institutions, the rule of law and the separation of powers. He added that the Assembly was deeply concerned about the findings of the Independent Commission of Inquiry regarding the culture of impunity and institutional "omertas" prevailing in the country. The Assembly, he stressed, called on the Maltese authorities to respond fully to the concerns and recommendations of the committee. On the other hand, he welcomed the fact that in recent years the Maltese authorities had taken corrective measures, adopting a series of reforms to address the above shortcomings.
Welcoming these measures, Mr Loucaides stressed the need to continue efforts to complete institutional reform and put in place the necessary democratic checks and balances. He made specific reference to the establishment of the Constitutional Convention in this direction. In this context, Mr Loucaides said, the Maltese Parliament should have the necessary means to produce unhindered legislative work and to exercise effective parliamentary control, a requirement shared by all political parties and society at large. The upgrading of the Parliament, he added, would also help to combat corruption and conflicts of interest, two long-standing problems that damage Malta's institutions and society.
In the field of human rights, the Cypriot Rapporteur notes in his report and resolution the very favourable legislative framework that promotes the rights of LGBTI persons. At the same time, he points out serious shortcomings in gender equality issues, while, as he said, the restrictive framework regulating the right to abortion should be reviewed as an integral part of the broader effort to defend and promote women's rights.
Finally, Mr. Loucaides highlighted the need to address the refugee-migration issue immediately. The frontline states in the Mediterranean, he stressed, should, on the one hand, be actively supported by their European partners on the basis of solidarity and, on the other hand, approach the migration issue in accordance with their international obligations, with primary concern for the respect of human rights and the dignity of refugees and migrants.
(Text as sent by the House of Representatives)
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