Inquiry finds state failed femicide victim Bernice Cassar

Feb 24 2023

An inquiry tasked with establishing whether the state failed Bernice Cassar, a mother of two and femicide victim, has found that she was indeed failed by said system.

The two main reasons touted were a lack of resources as well as a heavy caseload. The inquiry was compiled by retired judge Geoffrey Valenzia and presented to the government last month.

However, the recommendations and conclusions were announced by Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri and Justice Minister Jonathan Attard on Thursday.

The recommendations and conclusions are set to be published but were not provided as of yet. The ministers did not confirm that the inquiry had concluded that there was no responsibility to be shouldered by any single person.

This comes after Cassar had filed multiple police repots against ex-estranged husband Roderick before she was killed on November 22nd in Corradino.

The inquiry was to research whether authorities were or should have been aware that Cassar’s life was in danger and if there were any domestic violence law failings.

Justice Minister Jonathan Attard said that the caseload made it impossible for the court to hear cases earlier but that the recent appointment of new magistrates would make it possible to allocate one more magistrate to focus on domestic violence.

Apart from this, the need for more training for the judiciary and other court staff was mentioned by the inquiry. Another family court was also in discussion by authorities.

Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri also pointed to various other changes to how risk faced by potential victims would be assessed. A multidisciplinary approach will be taken up by DASH, the system which found Bernice Cassar in ‘medium risk, as well as changes to electronic tagging which were tasked to university professor Joe Cannataci to draw up.

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Vigil for late Sion Grech in Valletta demands answers and justice

Feb 24 2023

A vigil held in Valletta in front of the Court saw many turn out in support of Sion Grech’s grieving family and demanding more answers about the now closed case.

The vigil saw NGOs such as Moviment Graffiti, MGRM, Young Progressive Beings, Women’s Rights Foundation and Għajjejt u Xbajt come together to remember the life of the 20 year old.

Sion was stabbed 17 times and had her body dumped in a field in Marsa back in 2005.

‘After the Grech family waited 18 years for the court case to open, the case closed this January, with a number of errors from the side of the police force; over 50 witnesses contradicted each other, and evidence got lost, amongst other errors. Meanwhile, Sion’s parents died with the hopes of justice being served for their daughter.’

With ‘the murderers still out in the open’ and questions remaining unanswered, the vigil attendees asked whether Sion being a transgender sex worker had anything to do with the inaction and the delay.

‘Most importantly, we are remembering a woman who was loved by her family and her friends, who did not live to see the day where she could live her authentic self as she deserved.’

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Mixed reactions to billboards in Malta condemning Putin

Feb 24 2023

Billboards were erected in Malta condemning Russian President Vladimir Putin for his invasion of Ukraine as it coincides with the first anniversary of the war this Friday.

The billboards read: ‘Mr Putin, You Have Been Killing Innocent Civilians For A Whole Year’ and were, according to Times of Malta, reportedly put up by the Ukrainian community in Malta.

With a rally set to be held in Valletta on Friday evening calling for Ukraine’s victory and an end to the war, the setting up of billboards led to mixed reactions on social media.

A post demanding the removal of the billboard was even uploaded to local Facebook group ‘Are You Being Served?’, receiving the same feedback from commenters on the post.

Others backed the erection of the billboards, saying that being neutral does not mean one should ignore the realities of the ongoing war and condemning it.

What do you make of this?

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Maltese chef in New York City serves host of EU ministers at United Nations dinner

Feb 24 2023

On Thursday, a Maltese chef had the opportunity to serve a host of European ministers, including Maltese Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade Ian Borg and Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba at a dinner organised by the Maltese presidency in New York.

The dinner, held at the InterContinental, had chef Ruben Ruggier serve a host of political bigwigs including Malta’s own Ian Borg, Ambassador of Malta & PermRep to the UN in NY Vanessa Frazier, Ukrainian Minister Dmytro Kuleba, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and many others during Malta’s month of Presidency of the United Nations Security Council.

Prior to the high-end event, Borg had the opportunity to link up with chef Ruben, with the Minister himself visiting the chef’s kitchen before the major event during Malta’s UN Security Council Presidency.

On February 1st, Malta assumed the UN Security Council Presidency, one of the UN’s six major organs in the maintenance of international peace and security.

February’s agenda included discussions such as the cooperation between the United Nations and regional and subregional organisations and the maintenance of peace and security in Ukraine.

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