Malta

Malta reported hate crime information and data for the 2023 Hate Crime Report.

Malta implemented ODIHR's Training Against Hate Crimes for Law Enforcement (TAHCLE) programme in 2017. In 2021, ODIHR held a workshop for civil society organizations in Malta on ODIHR's hate crime methodology and its application to the specific context of Malta.

A legislative amendment to the Criminal Code in 2023 includes hate crimes committed with the use of electronic equipment as criminal offences.

Hate crime data collection in Malta
Support for hate crime victims in Malta
Hate crime capacity building in Malta
Malta's hate crime legislation
Download the 2023 hate crime report for Malta

OFFICIAL DATA REPORTED BY STATES

Year Hate crimes recorded by police Prosecuted Sentenced
2023 27 Not available Not available
2022 53 Not available Not available
2021 Not available Not available Not available
2020 Not available Not available Not available
2019 Not available Not available Not available
2018 Not available Not available Not available
2017 Not available Not available Not available
2016 Not available Not available Not available
2015 Not available Not available Not available
2014 Not available Not available Not available
2013 Not available Not available Not available
2012 Not available Not available Not available
2011 Not available Not available Not available
2010 Not available Not available Not available
2009 Not available Not available Not available

About 2023 Data

    Police-recorded data are taken from police reports within the National Police System and may include cases of hate speech that fall outside the OSCE's hate crime definition.

    Statistics on prosecuted and sentenced cases are not available, as data on bias motivations are not recorded.

Hate crime recorded by police

The breakdown below may include offences that fall outside the OSCE's hate crime definition but could not be separated from hate crime cases.

National developments

Malta's Human Rights Directorate set up a data collection workshop for key stakeholders with the aim of developing a data collection tool and strengthening reporting of hate speech, hate crime and discrimination. The workshop was organized as part of the country's first National Action Plan Against Racism (NAPAR) and a project co-funded by the EU (END-RACISM-MT)This process will continue with the second NAPAR, which will involve all responsible authorities in a comprehensive response to addressing hate crime, including through various measures such as training, addressing of gaps, and awareness raising.      
    
In 2023, the Criminal Code was amended to include hate crimes committed with the use of electronic equipment. In such instances, the offender is also charged with offences related to electronic communications (per Article 49 of Chapter 399 of the Laws of Malta - Electronic Communications (Regulation)). This article stipulates that anyone who utilizes an electronic communications network or device to threaten the commission of a crime, extort money or obtain other gains, or engage in other improper uses, is guilty of an offence.

KEY OBSERVATION

ODIHR recognizes Malta's efforts to develop a policy framework to address hate crimes comprehensively. However, based on available information, ODIHR observes that Malta does not collect data and statistics on hate crimes at the stage of prosecution and sentencing, while police recording does not fully distinguish hate crimes from other crimes, such as hate speech. In addition, ODIHR observes that Malta would benefit from raising awareness among and building the capacity of prosecutors and judges to record and address hate crime.   

ODIHR recalls that in Ministerial Council Decision 9/09, OSCE participating States committed to collecting reliable data and statistics on hate crimes. Participating States also committed to introducing or further developing professional training and capacity-building activities for law enforcement, prosecution and judicial officials dealing with hate crimes.

ODIHR stands ready to support Malta in meeting the relevant commitments through its comprehensive resources and tailored assistance in the area of hate crime recording and data collection, as well as through its comprehensive resources and tailored capacity-building assistance for the prosecution and judiciary.

Our methodology

INCIDENTS REPORTED BY CIVIL SOCIETY

🛈 Please note that the total number of incidents may be lower than the sum of incidents presented in the breakdown chart above, as some incidents involve multiple bias motivations.

🛈 ODIHR no longer presents descriptions of property attacks in the incident tables below. Data on property attacks are presented in the breakdown charts above. One property attack may target multiple properties or involve multiple types of attack.

No information is available.
No information is available.

Anti-Muslim hate crime

Date Type of incident Source Description
2023 Threats/Harassment
Aditus foundation
 Show info

INTERNATIONAL REPORTS

No information is available.