We, the undersigned, are deeply concerned by perceived shortcomings in law enforcement and the responsiveness of the judicial system in Malta. Persistent illegal parking, dangerous driving, and instances of alleged misconduct too often appear to lack timely or sufficient consequences, leaving citizens feeling unsafe and unheard. It’s time for decisive action and tangible reforms.

We demand:

• Strict, consistent, and visible enforcement of all traffic laws, targeting common offenses such as double parking, parking on double yellow lines, and illegal stopping within roundabouts. We urge the full and effective deployment and resourcing of the new Roads Policing Unit to achieve these aims.
• Ensure the consistent and effective use of body cameras by all frontline police officers, with robust protocols for data management, public access to footage in relevant cases (respecting privacy rights), and independent oversight of their usage to maximize transparency and accountability.
• Swift, transparent, and impartial investigations into all allegations of police misconduct, with meaningful consequences including suspension pending investigation where appropriate, and removal from duty upon confirmation of abuse, corruption, or serious dereliction of duty.
• The establishment of a publicly accessible, and suitably anonymized, database of upheld police infractions and disciplinary actions, drawing on best practices from other EU nations to enhance transparency and public trust.
• Meaningful judicial reform, including truly independent oversight mechanisms for judicial conduct and systemic efficiency, potentially incorporating civilian-led reviews of administrative performance, to ensure the judiciary is accountable to the public it serves while safeguarding its decisional independence.
• A comprehensive review and modernization of outdated laws, adopting best practices from other effective European legal systems to remove inconsistencies, ensure procedures do not unduly favor those who break the law, and strengthen support and justice for victims of crime.

Why this matters:

When laws are inconsistently enforced, and the justice system faces challenges in delivering timely and perceived fair outcomes, public trust erodes, and the sense of order is undermined. Malta deserves robust institutions that command public confidence. We call on our government to treat these concerns with the urgency they deserve and to implement immediate and meaningful reforms to strengthen law enforcement and the judiciary for the benefit of all citizens.