The National Commission for Human Rights and Equality

This week, I delivered a speech about the National Commission for Human Rights and Equality. I do not normally speak about this topic, as many associate me more with economic and foreign affairs subjects. However, I made an exception because I felt compelled to speak about it in Parliament.

At times, here in Malta, discussions about equality become entangled in political narratives or selective references to religion or sexual orientation. Yet the principle at stake is far more fundamental. As Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Galea Curmi reminded us in his homily during the appointment of the new Members of Parliament, public service requires us to treat every person with the dignity and respect they deserve as human beings, and that when we speak, we do so out of conviction rather than convenience. Every person in this country wakes up with the same hopes. We all want to live with dignity, to be treated with respect, and to have fair opportunities. And every person deserves to know that if they ever face injustice, they will not be left alone, and that the State will be there to protect them, whoever they are and whatever their background may be.

Some people confuse minority rights with other concepts, and too often they are reduced to a narrow frame, usually centred on sexual orientation. But equality is far wider than that. It includes inter alia race, religion, skin colour, disability, and every characteristic that has historically been used to exclude or diminish people. A modern European democracy must ensure that everyone feels protected, not only because it is morally right, but because Malta is a member of the European Union, a Union built from the ashes of the Second World War, and the atrocities that preceded it. The European Charter of Fundamental Human Rights is meant to be the foundation of the Union, yet today Europe is struggling to uphold that legacy. The European Commission has gone AWOL.

Sadly, extreme‑right populist narratives have gained traction across the continent, turning minorities into political scapegoats. The European Commission has not always responded with the firmness required. They are actually absent. While Malta has advanced significantly in equality legislation, progress does not mean completion. Discrimination persists, and many families – including those with children of mixed heritage or different races – still face prejudice. This week’s parliamentary debate will see a new law to amend the Constitution and reduce discrimination against minorities.

Consultation on these reforms began in 2014, more than 12 years ago, under then-Minister Helena Dalli. Stakeholders ranging from the Malta Employers’ Association to unions, the Church, and civil society were engaged extensively. The process was deliberate, inclusive, and thorough, spanning five years, and the first reading was presented in 2019. The result is legislation designed to ensure that dignity, freedom, and equality are not merely constitutional ideals, but lived realities.

Every generation leaves behind institutions that outlast governments, parliamentary majorities, and political cycles. Institutions are the living memory of democracy. They guarantee that rights do not depend on who holds power. They ensure that the State itself is held accountable. This is why the new Commission matters. It is a structural investment in Malta’s democratic architecture. It strengthens legal protections, enhances independence, and ensures that no person is left vulnerable to discrimination.

Critics have raised concerns about the Anti‑Deadlock Mechanism of the appointment of a commissioner, arguing it may affect independence. Yet the same voices praise the former National Commission for the Promotion of Equality – an institution that operated directly under a ministry and had no structural independence. Consistency matters. Well, independence cannot be defended selectively. The Opposition must decide what it wants. As the smallest nation in the European Union, Malta has often risen to the occasion. When other countries hesitated on civil rights, we moved forward. I still remember the 2014 legislation when the Opposition was against the introduction of the civil union for same sex couples.

Indeed, the establishment of the Equality Protection Commission sends a strong message. Certainly, Malta is committed to strengthening legal structures so that no one faces discrimination. This does not diminish anyone’s rights; it protects them. And it sets a standard that the European Union should emulate. Surely, Europe must work harder with its member governments to ensure that discrimination is not tolerated anywhere in the Union. Malta’s example shows that even small States can lead.

No one chooses where they are born, what they look like, or who they are. Yet these characteristics still shape how some people are treated. Parents worry about the narratives that could disadvantage their children simply because they are mixed‑race or come from different cultural backgrounds. This is why the new Commission is essential. It will serve every person without distinction, preference, or fear. It will protect the vulnerable. If implemented wisely, it may inspire other countries to follow Malta’s lead.

In a turbulent world, where geopolitics is shaping our lives, Malta has chosen not to be a spectator. It has chosen to be a leader of change – strengthening democracy, reinforcing trust in institutions, and ensuring that dignity remains at the heart of our national identity. Thank you to those who contributed to this legislation.