Strengthening the Legal Backbone: Malta’s Legislative Push Against Racism
- Umit Yilmaz
- 2 minutes ago
- 2 min read
SERIES: ANTI RACISM STRATEGY MALTA Action Plan 1: Development and reform of legislation and its ownership to strengthen anti-racism policy in Malta Malta’s new anti-racism plan strengthens laws, enforcement and workplace inclusion to ensure zero tolerance for discrimination across society. It is deployed in a total of 10 action plans aimed at covering the most strategic aspect of integration.
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What is Action 1 about?
For a country to thrive as an integrated and multicultural society, it must establish strong support through both its legislation and its policies. The Government of Malta recognizes that simply speaking out against prejudice is not enough; anti-racism principles must be firmly embedded within the nation's legal framework.
As Hon. Dr. Rebecca Buttigieg, Parliamentary Secretary for Equality, stated: “As a society that values equality and inclusivity, Malta must have zero tolerance for racism, as it goes against human dignity and fundamental human rights” (Times of Malta, Nov. 2025).
The plan outlines three major legislative measures:
1.Establishing a National Human Rights Institution (NHRI)
A persistent challenge in combating racism is that many victims suffer in silence. To tackle the root causes of this under-reporting, the government will establish a dedicated National Human Rights Institution (NHRI). This institution will be specifically tasked with handling cases of discrimination based on “race”, providing individuals with an official and effective channel to seek justice. Spearheaded by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM-ES), this initiative is scheduled to be slated for development between the final quarter of 2025 and the end of 2026.
2.Criminalizing Severe Hate Speech
Words matter, and when they cross the line into hate speech, they can lay the groundwork for violence. To combat this, the Human Rights Directorate (HRD) will lead a thorough review of the Criminal Code between late 2025 and mid-2027. Guided by recommendations from the Council of Europe, the goal is to introduce amendments that clearly determine and criminalize the most serious forms of hate speech, including incitement or threats of violence. This is not merely about punishing offenders; it also serves a crucial preventive function by sending a clear signal to society that hate speech is a serious criminal offense.
3.Rewarding Champions of Equality in the Workplace
While laws must punish discrimination, they should also encourage positive, proactive inclusion. Recognizing this, the HRD will begin work on establishing a "good practice stamp" certification in the field of racial equality.
Operating in conjunction with the Diversity Charter, this stamp will serve as a badge of honor for organizations that genuinely embed racial equality as a core value. By engaging partners and drafting new regulations, the HRD will create a system to officially recognize workplaces whose management actively promotes the potential of all employees, regardless of their racialised backgrounds.
Through these three targeted measures, Malta’s Action Plan aims to move beyond rhetoric, establishing a tangible, legal framework that protects its vulnerable communities and holds perpetrators accountable. By strengthening the law, Malta is taking a decisive step toward a fairer, more cohesive society.
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