A delegation of eight Civil Liberties MEPs have scheduled a visit to Slovakia and Malta in September to review the rule of law, corruption and safety of journalists in the two countries.
The aim of the visit is to take stock of the developments in Malta and Slovakia and continue the work based on the results of the previous missions to the two countries.
According to a European Parliament press release, the mission was recommended by the new monitoring group on rule of law and the fight against corruption set up by the Civil Liberties Committee in June. The group specifically addresses the situation in Malta and Slovakia.
“We stand side by side with the families and friends of the murdered journalists in Malta and Slovakia,” said the chair of the monitoring group, Sophie in ‘t Veld (ALDE, NL). “The murders must be resolved, there must not be impunity. Journalists need to know they can do their work in safety. We will visit Malta and Slovakia again, to get further answers and a clear picture of the state of affairs. This visit must also be seen in the context of our aim to ensure the Rule of Law is upheld throughout the European Union.”
According to the MEP, there are serious concerns about specific problems in both countries, which affect the European Union as a whole.
Following the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia, a delegation of MEPs travelled to Malta (December) to assess the state of rule of law and the implementation of European anti-money laundering legislation. MEPs were also in Slovakia (March) after the killing of Ján Kuciak and Martina Kušnírová.
