Daphne Caruana Galizia’s assassination was not only an attack against an individual, it was also an attack against Malta, Europe and the values all Maltese shared, Labour MEPs said today.

The joint statement by Alfred Sant, Miriam Dalli and Marlene Mizzi was presented during the debate "Council and Commission statements - Protection of journalists and the defence of media freedom in Malta: the case of Daphne Caruana Galizia". The three MEPs said this “hideous act” should not be allowed to undermine democracy in Malta.

“Nor should we allow its consequences to sow division in the country and among the Maltese people. Together, we have to ensure that justice is done.”

They said it was not aceptable that Malta ended up hostage to whoever wanted to mount a terrorist attack to undermine the country and the Maltese.

“We deplore the fact that there have been people to seize the opportunity to create doubt about the commitment of the Maltese authorities towards the democratic values of the rule of law and freedom of expression.

“These are the values that underline modern, effective and healthy democracies.

“As a democratic state Malta has always upheld such values. It will continue to do so.”

They said that while mobilising all its available resources to ensure that the murder investigation was carried out with the utmost rigour, the Maltese government had also requested the assistance of European security services in the search and capture of those responsible.

“The willingness shown by European political forces present in this Chamber to also help with the ongoing investigations shall be of great encouragement to the Maltese people.

“It is right that the European Union stands united with the Maltese people at this difficult moment.

“Whoever attempts to disturb this sense of unity with partisan sideshows will be obstructing the cause of democracy, justice and freedom of expression in Malta and Europe,” they concluded.

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