The revelations of the Daphne Caruana Galizia public inquiry have brought about the latest crisis for the Government of Malta. In the context of the assassination of the renowned journalist, the inquiry emphasised that the Government of Malta failed to recognise the tangible risks.
The report following this inquiry is over four hundred pages and highlighted that a culture of impunity was created and sustained. This also extended to the regulatory bodies and police, which negatively impacted the rule of law.
In view of the criminal actions towards Daphne Caruana Galizia over the years, the State has been earmarked as failing to provide adequate protection to minimise the risks.
The evidence gathered through this inquiry led to the conclusion that the assassination was due to the journalist’s investigative work. This included allegations of irregularities, abuse and corruption, with the involvement of big businesses.
The culture of impunity emphasised upon within the report highlighted that this was not just evident within the ranks of high public officials, but also persons of trust and a restricted circle of businessmen and criminals.
The links leading to this impunity, through the relationships between politicians and businessmen, were encouraged by the Labour party. It has been stated that the Government has a duty to maintain the strength of the rule of law and should never allow money or business relationships to negatively impact good governance. It was found that certain relationships between business people and government officials were unwarranted. Businesses would carry out their plans and projects by manipulating high ranking officials. The position of the Office of the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff was earmarked as important to understand how relationships between the Government and businesses progressed.
The writings of Daphne Caruana Galizia would regularly address the elements of power revolving around politics and the economy. It was made abundantly clear the she was causing issues for people in power, and that they often sought to undermine her pieces. The works of Daphne Caruana Galizia caused public uproar with the revelations of the Panama Papers, 17 Black and Egrant. The reports with regards to these brought about serious implications which threatened the stability of the Government and Malta. At a time, Daphne Caruana Galizia was dubbed as the “only real opposition” in Malta.
What do you make about the public inquiry? Will the country start to heal following these developments? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
