NOTE TO MALTA; MAKE OCTOBER 16 A NATIONAL HOLIDAY - RULE OF LAW OR JUSTICE DAY

Daphne's Watching  by COSIMO

It is humbly submitted that Malta designates the sixteenth of October, the day Daphne was assassinated as Rule of Law, or Justice Day, a national holiday.

Without massive judicial reform, the Republic of Malta remains a hot judicial mess. The judiciary is appointed by government, meaning that not only are partisan individuals placed upon the bench, but unqualified ones, from a professional standpoint, sit in judgment on others. Change the law; elect your judiciary via popular vote, in a non-partisan manner. That will result in a class of judges and magistrates neither intimidated by, nor beholden to, government officials, especially corrupt ones.

Next, change the archaic pre-trial proceedings, involving the assembly of evidence. This only delays the setting of a trial date, and allows dilatory action on the part of lawyers who simply want to delay the case  ad infinitum to deny justice. 

Finally, place truly competent individuals in the position of Attorney General and in the leadership of the Malta Police. Clean out the old guard, and see that professional law enforcement takes their place, not merely lackey who obey the PM or his henchmen.

Perhaps if, every year, the Maltese man in the street reflects upon Daphne's life, and her wish for a Malta cleansed of corruption and of behind-the-scenes dealings by powerful forces intent only on fleecing the public, and sees the new judiciary doing just that, things will finally move forward, towards meaningful reform. Honor her memory with change.