‘If You Want To Report Wrongdoing, Go To The Police’ – Minister Bonnici Defends Inquiry Reform Plans
Minister Owen Bonnici defended the government’s plans to restrict the rights of citizens to request magisterial inquiries, arguing that people who have evidence of wrongdoing can always report it to the police or other institutions.
“Those who are serious and want to file a report against alleged wrongdoing can go to the police,” Bonnici said.
“In cases involving politicians, they can also go to the Ombudsman, the Standards Commissioner, the Auditor General or the Anti-Corruption Commission. There is also a legal framework for whistleblowers.”
“In recent years, we strengthened or even gave birth to these institutions, while enhancing prosecutions, increasing judicial scrutiny and introducing procedures to safeguard the rights of suspects, such as their right to a lawyer and the right to disclosure.”
Bonnici warned that magisterial inquiries shouldn’t be used as a tool for “political persecution or vendetta” and described the current system as “cruel”.
“No one should have to go through a magisterial inquiry just because someone else just decides to trample on their human rights,” he said.
“It isn’t right, it is unjust, and it is wrong. Today members of the executive are passing through this cruel calvary, but tomorrow it could be someone else – perhaps it could be people from the other party who don’t form part of the blue heroes clique or people in business, basically anyone who those who posing as the paladins of the rule of law decide to target depending on their own criteria.”
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