council of europe

Malta’s flag being hoisted at the Council of Europe, when it joined 60 years ago. Photo: DOI

60 years of membership of the Council of Europe

Malta took the historic step seven months after gaining independence

April 29, 2025| Ian Borg
Malta will be marking 60 years as members of the Council of Europe. Photo: DOI/ Pierre Sammut

Malta leaves controversial human rights convention reform off CoE agenda

Cabinet, government officials were unaware of Abela's statement on human rights

April 15, 2025| Daniel Ellul
Thirteen EU leaders met Thursday to discuss migration. Photo: OPM.

EU should simplify return procedures for irregular migration, says Abela

The prime minister was speaking following a Brussels meeting on migration

March 20, 2025| Times of Malta
Anti-SLAPP laws in Malta should be extended to cases initiated in the country. Photo: Times of Malta Archives

Malta missed opportunity on anti-SLAPP protection - Council of Europe report

Press Freedom Report also flags delays in the trial of Daphne Caruana Galizia alleged murderers

March 5, 2025| Claudia Calleja
The Council of Europe building in Strasbourg. Photo: Shutterstock.com

Most of Malta’s Council of Europe €8m budget allocated to ‘policy events’

Presidency to host several conferences and training seminars and cultural side events

December 29, 2024| Giulia Magri
Mr Justice Francesco Depasquale (third from left) and the other officials at the helm of the CEPEJ.

Maltese judge re-elected to the European Commission for Efficiency of Justice

Mr Justice Francesco Depasquale is president of the commission

December 4, 2024| Times of Malta
Malta’s term as president of the Council of Europe will begin in mid-May. Photo: Shutterstock.com

Malta’s 2025 Council of Europe presidency to cost €8 million

This will be the nation’s fourth stint as president in almost six decades

November 11, 2024| Neville Borg
Ambassador Francesca Camilleri Vettiger addressing guests.

Strasbourg event commemorates 60th anniversary of Malta’s independence

About 180 high-level dignitaries and representatives attend the celebration

September 29, 2024| Press Release
Prime Minister Robert Abela and Foreign Minister Ian Borg meet the secretary general of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset.

Malta preparing to head the Council of Europe

Abela meets council's general secretary

September 26, 2024| Times of Malta
The Office of the Prime Minister in Valletta. Robert Abela’s government has yet to authorise publication of the GRECO report detailing the latest findings. Photo: Shutterstock.com

Malta fails assessment of its anti-corruption measures

GRECO recommendations still to see the light of day

January 8, 2024| Jacob Borg
Charles Michel has been accused of abandoning his duties. Photo: GEOFFROY VAN DER HASSELT / AFP

EU race to replace Council president Michel 

The European Council President announced he would be stepping down early to run for European Parliament elections

January 7, 2024| AFP
People gather amid the destruction following an early morning Israeli strike in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on December 9, amid continuing battles between Israel and militant group Hamas. Photo: AFP.

Malta wants EU sanctions against 'violent Israeli settlers'

Belgium, Ireland and Spain joined the call in letter to European Council president

December 11, 2023| James Cummings
The members of the committee had an all-access pass to prison last week and their inspection was rigorous, sources said. File photo: Matthew Mirabelli

‘Inhumane cage’ in prison removed ahead of European inspection

Division 5 structure build during Alex Dalli's tenure taken apart ahead of CoE visit

October 4, 2023| Mark Laurence Zammit
Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner Dunja Mijatovic. Photo: AFP

Council of Europe watchdog flags concerns about media's access to information

Dunja Mijatović writes to government, parliament to urge comprehensive reform of media laws

October 3, 2023| Times of Malta
A pro-choice demonstration in Valletta last year.

Malta warned against 'backward steps' after abortion bill amendments

Council of Europe commissioner calls for more consultations

June 26, 2023| Times of Malta
Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Editorial: MPs’ ethics: an obstacle race

GRECO report: upholding standards in public life proved to be PL's Achilles heel

June 9, 2023| Times of Malta
Prime Minister Robert Abela signing the Register of Damage at the Council of Europe conference.

Council of Europe creates 'register of damages' caused by Russia in Ukraine     

Prime Minister Robert Abela among the signatories

May 16, 2023| Times of Malta
Business organisations very rightly supported Malta’s bid to join the European Union in the run-up to the referendum. Photo: Shutterstock.com

The rules of the game – Norman Aquilina

It is wrong to automatically associate big business with the abuse of power

May 14, 2023| Norman Aquilina
Photo: Shutterstock.com

Editorial: Europe’s defence of freedom

Europe Day is a reminder that the defence of democracy is difficult but worthwhile

May 9, 2023| Times of Malta
Pieter Omtzigt: “I can safely assume that the relationship was a motivation to attack my report in the assembly.”

Dutch MP on Rosianne Cutajar: another complaint ‘would have been justified’

Pieter Omtzigt says the Labour MP misled the Council of Europe assembly

March 25, 2023| Jessica Arena
David Casa echoed Isabelle Bonnici's claims that a magisterial inquiry was insufficient to fulfil the government’s requirements under international law. File photos

Casa calls for Sofia public inquiry in letter to Council of Europe Commissioner

'His mother deserves to know why her son is no longer with us'

March 16, 2023| Sarah Carabott
Mr Justice Francesco Depasquale (right) has been appointed president of the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ).

Judge Francesco Depasquale to head Council of Europe court delays body

Depasquale to lead European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice for two years

December 10, 2022| Times of Malta
The Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović.

'Abortion' bill is 'step to protect women’s rights'- Council of Europe

Commissioner for human rights wants abortion decriminalised

December 5, 2022| Times of Malta
Věra Jourová (top left: AFP file photo) and Roberta Metsola (photo: European Parliament) addressed the first-ever European anti-SLAPP conference on Thursday. File photo of vigil: Times of Malta

'It will take Malta years to shed reputation that it's unsafe for journalists'

First European Anti-SLAPP conference pays tribute to Daphne Caruana Galizia

October 20, 2022| Sarah Carabott
Photo: Jonathan Borg

Malta's proposed media freedom law flagged as threat to media freedom

CoE body warns that anti-SLAPP provisions fall short of standards

October 7, 2022| Times of Malta
The views of civil society and the community of journalists must be included in the legislative process the CoE Human Rights Commissioner has said. File Photo Times of Malta

Council of Europe calls for public consultation on proposed media reforms

Human Rights Commissioner publishes exchange with Prime Minister Robert Abela

October 6, 2022| Jessica Arena
In 2020, the Council of Europe’s anti-torture committee found that migrants had been locked up in filthy conditions. File photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Treatment of detained people is back under scrutiny

A Council of Europe committee will return to Malta in 2023

September 8, 2022| Matthew Xuereb

Council of Europe calls for ‘far-reaching reform’ of Maltese parliament

Wants full-time parliament to provide 'proper oversight'

June 23, 2022| Times of Malta
Protesters at an anti-corruption demonstration outside Parliament in November 2019. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Malta still to initiate over-arching anti-corruption strategy: European watchdog

Call for a tighter rein on the appointment of persons of trust

May 24, 2022| Times of Malta
Rosianne Cutajar was found in breach of the Council of Europe's code of conduct over her undisclosed relationship with Yorgen Fenech.

Council of Europe report on ‘serious’ Rosianne Cutajar ethics breach published

Cutajar will likely escape sanction after resigning from assembly

April 29, 2022| Times of Malta