EPP Chairman Manfred Weber sent a letter to the President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani, underlining the need for MEPs in the delegation to Malta to be given suitable protection.
The EPP is the largest EU Parliamentary party, and PN MEPs form part of this group. Weber sent the letter today, a day before a European Parliamentary delegation including members of the committee investigating money laundering, tax avoidance and tax evasion known as PANA, members of the civil liberties, justice and home affairs committee (LIBE) begin holding meetings with prominent Maltese figures. The delegation will arrive in Malta to follow up on a debate on the rule of law in Malta held in the European Parliament a few weeks ago.
In a letter dated Wednesday, Webber notes that a "number of members of this Parliament have recently been threatened with their lives for speaking out in defence of the Rule of Law in Malta, which this delegation's work will be focusing on."
Weber, in his letter, notes the recent EU Parliamentary resolution on 15 November 2017, regarding the rule of law in Malta. He says that the resolution "makes clear that the developments in Malta in recent years have led to serious concerns about the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights, including freedom of the media and the independence of the police and the judiciary."
Webber says that the serious threats made against European politicians in Malta is "not something this Parliament should take lightly. MEPs and national politicians have reported in court that the threats they are receiving for doing their duty are becoming increasingly frequent and are grave enough to cause these politicians worry about their personal safety and that of their families." He goes on to mention how the violent assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia in Malta exposed just how sensitive the situation is in Malta.
Recently, Maltese MEPs have been under fire, with one man saying she should be "burned alive." Metsola is not the only Maltese politician to face threats recently, with PD MPs Marlene and Godfrey Farrugia also having to deal with such threats.
Weber, in his letter, highlights that "the delegation to Malta will be carrying out work that is politically sensitive in an environment where members have been threatened. In light of these facts, I underline the need for suitable protection for the members of the European Parliament's delegation to Malta and would urge you to also remind the Maltese authorities of their duty to protect Members of the European Parliament and allow them to carry out their duty free from fear."
According to a draft agenda seen by this newsroom, a number of prominent persons have already agreed to meet with the delegation from the EU Parliament, with meetings to start tomorrow.
from The Malta Independent http://ift.tt/2jxOa02
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