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.
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 2022 Data
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Police-recorded data are taken from police reports within the National Police System and may include cases of hate speech that fall outside of the OSCE's hate crime definition. Three cases (offences of abuse of public authority and of a civil nature) that fall outside of the OSCE's hate crime definition were excluded from the above figure.
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 does not include cases of abuse of public authority and of a civil nature reported to ODIHR, as they fall outside of the OSCE's hate crime definition. The category "Threats/Threatening behaviour" may include hate speech cases that fall outside of the OSCE's hate crime definition but could not be separated from the hate crime cases.
KEY OBSERVATION
ODIHR recognizes Malta's efforts to report hate crime data to ODIHR, amend its legislation to increase the punishment for bias-motivated crimes, and provide adequate specialist support to hate crime victims. 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. 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.
INCIDENTS REPORTED BY CIVIL SOCIETY
Racist and xenophobic hate crime
| Date | Type of incident | Source | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Violent attacks against people | Jesuit Refugee Service Malta
|
Show info |
| 2022-09 | Violent attacks against people | Aditus foundation
|
Show info |
| 2022-09 | Violent attacks against people | Aditus foundation
|
Show info |
| 2022-09 | Violent attacks against people | Aditus foundation
|
Show info |
| 2022-10 | Violent attacks against people | Aditus foundation
|
Show info |
| 2022-09 | Threats/Harassment | Aditus foundation
|
Show info |
Gender-based hate crime
| Date | Type of incident | Source | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-01 | Violent attacks against people | Aditus foundation
|
Show info |
| 2022-11 | Violent attacks against people | Aditus foundation
|
Show info |