The family of Daphne Caruana Galizia deceased has been forced to litigate the Prime Minister of Malta’s refusal to hold a public inquiry into her assassination on 16 October 2017.
The Caruana Galizia family has been calling for a public inquiry since 8 August 2018 into whether the renowned journalist’s assassination in Malta was preventable, pursuant to her right to life protected by Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The family’s formal request for a public inquiry is supported by legal Opinions prepared by Bhatt Murphy and Doughty Street Chambers. Concerns have also been raised by a number of bodies, including the European Parliament, the European Parliament’s Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, the Venice Commission and NGOs across the world.
A final request to establish a public inquiry was made to Prime Minister of Malta on 30 November 2018. As Malta has now refused that request, legal proceedings have been commenced on their behalf in Malta to challenge that refusal as a breach of Ms Caruana Galizia’s right to life.
The family is represented in London by Bhatt Murphy Solicitors and Caoilfhionn Gallagher QC, Jonathan Price and Jennifer Robinson of Doughty Street Chambers; and in Malta by Therese Comodini Cachia, Jason Azzopardi and Eve Borg Costanzi.
Daphne’s son Paul Caruana Galizia said as follows:
“ This is the second time our family has had to challenge the Maltese authorities’ failure to comply with the European Convention on Human Rights regarding their investigation, or lack of it, into whether my mother’s death could have been prevented. No bereaved family should have to litigate in order to establish the truth surrounding their loved one’s death and we cannot begin to grieve until the truth has been served.”
Bhatt Murphy said as follows:
“It is an indictment of the rule of law in Malta that no investigation has ever been established into whether the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia could have been prevented. Unless and until this central question is independently investigated, other lives remain at risk and the Caruana Galizia family remain without justice. The Prime Minister has nothing to fear from a public inquiry but the truth.”
