Malta

The Criminal Code (Amendment) Act included several provisions to address hate crimes. First, xenophobic motivation was added to the aggravating-circumstances provisions, which previously only included increased sentences for racially or religiously aggravated offenses. Those provisions included Article 83, a general aggravating-circumstances enhancement applicable to all criminal offenses, and Article 222A, an aggravating-circumstances provision for certain crimes causing bodily harm. Second, the definitions associated with bias-motivated crimes were expanded. In Article 222A(3)(b), the concept of “bias motivation” was amended to add “aversion” and “contempt” to the motivation of “hostility”. Furthermore, the definition of “race” was extended to include “descent” as a factor (Article 222A, paragraph 6). Finally, Article 82 was amended to criminalize any acts publicly condoning, denying or grossly trivializing crimes against peace directed against a group of persons defined by reference to colour, race, religion, descent, or ethnic or national origin if such acts are likely to incite to violence against such groups or to disturb public peace and order.