The House of Representatives on Monday approved the second reading of the Various Laws (Criminal Matters) (Amendment) Bill, which Justice Minister Carm Mifsud Bonnici described as providing parents with peace of mind in better protecting minors while serving as a deterrent against those abusing minors in the "deplorable and scandalous ways" of sexual soliciting through the internet.
Winding up the debate, the minister said the internet was a double-edged sword. The fight against sexual soliciting by internet was a challenge because this was becoming an increasingly-sophisticated crime. There was a need for clearer procedures to improve and hasten the criminal process, allowing for a better balance between the state and the defendant.
Dr Mifsud Bonnici called on the media to better understand laws and legal processes being discussed in Parliament before reporting or commenting on any issue. This was the only way to provide people with a better legal instrument.
He said there was a need to strengthen the police force to combat economic and social crimes which destabilised the country.
The Bill opened the door for many changes. It contained 70 clauses and had taken a whole year to produce. All necessary amendments would be implemented at committee stage.
Dr Mifsud Bonnici said the government was aiming at the prevention of crime rather than apprehending more criminals. During the last year, the number of prison inmates had been a record - "a very high number and increasing".
He warned that those who did not observe the law would have to pay for their misdemeanours.
Speaking about noise-inducing gas cannons, he said these were disturbing the public peace and would in future be considered unlawful, as would be keeping dogs that annoyed neighbours with continuous barking.
He hoped the Bill introducing parole would be introduced during this legislation.
Earlier, Franco Debono (PN) asked whether the Probation Act should be incorporated in the Criminal Code. The Bill included several provisions that related to several issues, such as money laundering.
There were other amendments that related to extradition. He suggested that one should look at what other countries had in this regard, and asked whether extradition should remain as an act in itself or be amalgamated with another act.
Many provisions in the Bill were concerned with the protection of minors, exploitation and protection from exploitation of people with vulnerable age.
The most vulnerable people in society were children because they could not protect themselves. The law should therefore be very severe on those who committed crimes against minors, and any loopholes should be eliminated.
He said one should consider legislating against the possession of radioactive substances and related criminal acts.
Dr Debono said courtrooms should have their recording system updated, helping those taking decisions as well as the court's staff. Many courtrooms were still using recording tapes.
The Bill featured the introduction of aggravated theft followed by homicide. This was a very important issue because this type of crime was not contemplated to date.
Concluding, Dr Debono said that the Bill improved criminal justice and procedure.