Three months since Daphne’s assassination: calls to end impunity

Three months’ since the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, #OccupyJustice activists dressed up the main monuments dotting the island with her last words, and banners calling for an end to impunity appeared in Malta’s streets overnight.

The banners that have appeared every 16th of the month since her murder were this time placed with the words ‘end impunity now’. People also woke up to the slain journalist’s last words on some 20 monuments across the country that were dressed up in tshirts with the words, “Crooks everywhere. The situation is desperate”

“Prime Minister even the dead are watching you; history will judge you,” said #OccupyJustice, the activist group led by women.

“Three months have passed and Malta is still in limbo as to who commissioned Caruana Galizia’s assassination when she was uncovering corruption atrocities,” they said, adding that they will not rest until justice is served.

#OccupyJustice’s activity this month is a timely reminder for the Prime Minister that the investigation cannot be considered over and that his legacy will be viewed as one of the most corrupt in Malta’s history, the activists said.

The activists referred to the damning European Parliament report which recommended the removal of Tourism Minister Konrad Mizzi and the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff who were exposed in the Panama Papers scandal.

“Prime Minister – what are you waiting for to fire them? When will you be done with damaging the reputation of Malta? What is your vested interest in keeping these two people implicated in serious acts of corruption by your side and protecting them at all costs?” asked #OccupyJustice.

The group reiterated, once again, their plea for good governance from both sides of the House of the Parliament and in all spheres of public life. “We want an end once and for all to this culture of impunity.”

Three months on, they are still demanding that key institutions are not held hostage by the Government and for the rule of law to be upheld. Activists are also still calling for the resignation of Police Commissioner Lawrence Cutajar and Attorney General Peter Grech. “They have shown they are nothing but government puppets,” the activists said.

This afternoon a group of free expression and anti-corruption NGOs will gather in London outside the Malta High Commission. The organisers – English PEN and Reporters without Borders – said that Caruana Galizia’s murder “highlights the extensive risks faced by journalists around the world, and the need to end the vicious cycle of violence against journalists and impunity for their attackers”.

They are calling on anyone able to attend the vigial to be held between 1pm and 2pm to “show support for Daphne’s family and friends and to keep her memory alive”.

The event is being co-sponsored by fellow freedom of expression organisations ARTICLE 19, the Committee to Protect Journalists, Index on Censorship, PEN International and Transparency International.