Today, 29th July, is the 2nd anniversary since the pubic inquiry board published the final report on Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder and presented it to the government.

But have the findings been implemented? Have the lessons been learned?

According to the Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation, within days of Daphne’s murder, four United Nations experts issued a statement, calling on the Maltese government to “honour its commitment to a prompt, thorough and independent public inquiry and investigation.”

However, no public inquiry had commenced during the first two years following the assassination.

Following a lengthy campaign from the journalist’s family, and strong international pressure, a public inquiry into the circumstances of Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder was initiated in December 2019.

The public inquiry plays a crucial role in ensuring justice because it enables the country to gain valuable insights on preventing future fatalities.

However, for these lessons to be truly impactful, swift and comprehensive implementation of changes is essential.

“An enabling and safe environment for journalists can only exist if Malta’s legislative and administrative framework ends impunity for corruption and the abuse of power, but years after Daphne exposed the corruption that paved the way to her murder there are still no prosecutions for the corruption itself,” the Daphne Caruana Galizia Foundation said in a statement today.

“In parliament, government MPs were instructed to reject the only legislative proposals that addressed corruption and organised crime, but the government itself has still not presented alternative proposals of its own.”

“Malta urgently needs extensive reforms if journalists are to work without fearing for their lives.”

“Perpetuating the state failures that enabled Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassination leaves other lives in danger. Unless those systemic failures are eliminated, it is only a matter of time before someone else is killed.”