OSCE Media Freedom Representative pays tribute to killed journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia on two-year anniversary, during visit to Malta
VALLETTA, 16 October 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, participated today in ceremonies commemorating the two-year anniversary of the brutal assassination of leading investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, during a visit to Malta. He met with the family of the journalist at the memorial, near the city of Bidnija, where she was killed.
“I am here to pay tribute to Daphne Caruana Galizia and call for justice two years after her murder. Daphne was a courageous and dedicated journalist who has become a symbol for all investigative journalists who are threatened because of their work. We owe it to her, her family and the entire Maltese society to uncover all the facts and circumstances into her death,” Desir said. “Today is a painful reminder that more needs to be done to protect journalists, combat impunity of crimes committed against them and, crucially, that we need to be persistent in seeking justice,” said Désir.
Daphne Caruana Galizia died on 16 October 2017, when a bomb in her car was detonated as she was driving from her home in Bidnija, Malta. The prominent investigative journalist was known for her reporting on sensitive issues, including corruption. For many years, she had been subject to severe harassment and threats for her work.
Noting the public inquiry launched by the Maltese authorities in September, the Representative reiterated his call that any investigation into her assassination must be fully independent, impartial, and in line with international human rights law and OSCE commitments (see previous statement here: https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/431774).
“Every effort must be made to bring the perpetrators and masterminds of this heinous crime to justice and to end impunity for crimes committed against journalists. This is of paramount importance, given the implications for our democratic values, safety of journalists and media freedom,” said Désir.
During his visit, Désir met with Foreign Minister Carmelo Abela, Minister of Justice Owen Bonnici, and Attorney General Peter Grech, to discuss the ongoing investigation into the journalist's murder, the need to ensure no impunity of all those involved in this crime, the Public Inquiry, the protection of journalists, and the SLAPP litigations which impede media freedom. The Representative also calls for the end of the civil defamation lawsuits continuing against Daphne Caruana Galizia and her heirs, two years after her death, and for the reform of the related legislation.
The Representative recalled the OSCE Ministerial Council Decision on Safety of Journalists, adopted last December, which calls on OSCE participating States to “take effective measures to end impunity for crimes committed against journalists, by ensuring accountability as a key element in preventing future attacks, including by ensuring that law enforcement agencies carry out swift, effective and impartial investigations into acts of violence and threats against journalists, in order to bring all those responsible to justice.”
See the Representative’s previous statements here: https://www.osce.org/fom/360956; https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/399746; https://www.osce.org/fom/354561.
The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.