Courage International Advances New PACE Initiative on Daphne Caruana Galizia Case
Courage International and the Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation collaborate on renewed parliamentary effort to address ongoing accountability gaps in Malta
Courage International AISBL is leading a renewed effort within the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) to address justice and rule of law issues surrounding the Daphne Caruana Galizia case, working in close collaboration with the Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation and PACE member Constantinos Efstathiou (Cyprus, SOC Group).
Building on Previous Parliamentary Work
The initiative builds upon the work of former PACE Rapporteur Pieter Omtzigt (Netherlands, EPP), whose investigation resulted in Resolution 2293 adopted in June 2019. Omtzigt's report identified fundamental weaknesses in Malta's system of checks and balances and called for holistic reform.
While the original PACE resolution led to the establishment of Malta's public inquiry, subsequent follow-up reports found Malta's implementation of the Assembly's recommendations to be "unsatisfactory," with reforms remaining "substantively incomplete."
New Parliamentary Motion Advances
Courage International has collaborated with the Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation to draft a new proposed resolution, spearheaded by PACE member Constantinos Efstathiou. The motion has successfully gathered the required signatures to advance to the next procedural stage within the Assembly.
The Bureau of the Assembly is expected to decide whether to approve the request for a full report and resolution at its September 5th meeting.
June Side Event Addresses Ongoing Concerns
During PACE's June session, Courage and the Foundation organized a side event titled "Eight Years On: The Daphne Caruana Galizia Inquiry and the Role of PACE in Ensuring Justice." Held on June 26th in Room 2 of the Palais de l'Europe, the event featured:
Pieter Omtzigt, who shared insights from preparing his original report and provided strategic advice to current PACE members
Corinne Vella, Daphne's sister, who addressed the ongoing impact on her family and progress on rule of law reforms
Thorhildur Sunna Aevarsdottir, who moderated discussions on systemic barriers within Malta's judicial system
Next Steps
Courage International will focus on supporting the motion for resolution as it advances through the Assembly's procedures while continuing to engage PACE members on the significance of this case for press freedom and rule of law across Europe. The September Bureau meeting will be a key milestone for determining the path forward.