European Parliament President Antonio Tajani and MEP Roberta Metsola reiterated they would not stop fighting for justice and truth in the assassination of journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia.
They were speaking during an emotional meeting with Ms Caruana Galizia's parents at the unveiling of a sculpture donated to President Tajani by Maltese artist Kevin Scerri.
The donation was made in the European Parliament on International Press Freedom Day.
The sculpture was handed over to the European Parliament President in a symbolic ceremony in the presence of Ms Caruana Galizia’s parents, Michael and Rose Vella, and members of her family on International Press Freedom Day. T
Commemorating the life and work of Ms Caruana Galizia, it will be displayed in the press room of the European Parliament in Brussels.
President Tajani said: "It is an honour for me to receive this artwork representing the struggle for truth by Daphne Caruana Galizia on International Press Freedom Day. Her struggle is our struggle. An attack on a journalist is an attack against our fundamental freedoms. We will not stop until justice is done with Daphne, with her family and with her work. I have said it when I was in Malta to pay respect to Daphne Caruana Galizia at the funeral: we want to know who is the mastermind behind this barbaric murder.”
Parliament, he said, was also acting on the need to protect journalists with concrete measures.
Last week it requested the European Commission to present legislative proposals against intimidatory SLAPP law suits and to propose initiatives to promote quality journalism in member states.
“In honour of Daphne, we will insist that these requests are followed up with actions," said President Tajani.
Dr Metsola said: “I looked into her parents’ eyes and promised them again that their battle for truth and justice for their daughter is our battle too. It will not be swept under the carpet. Daphne Caruana Galizia was assassinated for seeking the truth and nothing will stop us from demanding justice.
"Her assassins and those who ordered them not only deprived Malta of a journalist, they took the life of a daughter, mother, sister, wife and friend, but even in death they could not silence her - other journalists took up her baton and formed the Daphne Project.”
Maltese artist Kevin Scerri said that his artwork symbolises the courage and determination of journalists all over the world, who do not stop despite adversities in their quest for truth.
The wooden sculpture depicts a clenched fist holding a broken pencil over a bay laurel leaf, symbolising Ms Caruana Galizia’s strength and courage. “The message I have tried to convey to journalists and to those who wish to silence them is that ‘If you break our pencil, we will sharpen all its pieces and come back stronger'.” Following Ms Caruana Galizia’s assassination it was now up to everyone to sharpen her broken pencil and continue her quest to uncover the truth.
Earlier, Ms Caruana Galizia’s parents and members of her family met EPP-Group chairman Manfred Weber and EPP-Group secretary general Martin Kamp.