This page provides information on the national frameworks to address hate crime in Malta. The information provided here should be viewed alongside data presented on Malta's hate crime report page.

Hate crime recording and data collection

Reports of hate crimes are recorded through the reporting system maintained by the police, which records the number of offences registered. Since 2019, the system (NPS – National Police System) has been adapted to allow for the classification of hate crimes. This system records information based on the most serious offence of the incident report. It also provides the possibility to record the element of hate present in a particular incident when filing a report.

Prosecution of hate crimes is done based on the charges brought forward within the judicial system. Since the bias motivation is covered through aggravating clauses and motivational grounds, this is not recorded for statistical purposes. The current collection system used by the national judicial authorities does not include information on the aggravating circumstances of convicted offences.

Only hate speech cases are currently recorded in the Law Courts database. Malta's first Anti-Racism Strategy initiated efforts to build a national data collection tool on hate speech and hate crime. Discussions are under way and will continue with the second National Action Plan Against Racism (NAPAR), which is at an advanced stage of drafting. 

Malta does not conduct national victimization surveys related to hate crime.

Hate crime victim support

Victims of incitement to hatred and crimes motivated/aggravated by hatred are entitled to rights afforded to other crime victims, including the right to understand and be understood, the right to receive information from a competent authority, and the right to legal aid.
    
In addition, Article 12(b) of Cap. 539 provides that the Ministry or any designated entity shall provide "for the timely and individual assessment of victims who suffered from severe crimes, including crimes committed with a bias or discriminatory motive which could in particular, be related to their particular characteristics, and victims whose relationship to and dependence on the offender make them particularly vulnerable such as: […] (viii) victims of exploitation or hate crime".

As vulnerable victims of crime, "hate crime" victims are entitled, as a minimum, to the following:

• information, advice and support relevant to the rights of victims, including on accessing national compensation schemes for criminal injuries;
• information on their role in criminal proceedings, including preparation for attendance at the trial;
• information about or direct referral to any relevant specialist support services in place, including emotional and, where available, psychological support; and
• advice relating to financial and practical issues arising from the crime (article 12(c)).

Such services shall be offered on a confidential basis and free of charge (article 13(1)). Article 14B(2) also provides that certain measures must apply to vulnerable victims identified in accordance with article 12. These measures include ensuring that victim interviews are conducted in premises designed or adapted to that purpose and by specifically trained professionals.

Malta provides specialized support to victims of hate crimes through the Victim Support Agency (VSA), established in 2021 through Legal Notice 418 of 2020. It is a multidisciplinary agency made up of public servants, including members of the Police Victim Support Unit, legal and psychosocial professionals, and administrative officers. The VSA is entrusted to support victims of crime, including victims of hate crime. 

Victims may access the VSA's services through various mechanisms. A national free-of-charge victim support line was introduced (116 006) to provide support to victims of crime. Its operators can provide referrals to professional support services. Furthermore, the VSA has undertaken activities to raise awareness of online hate speech and hate crime through the creation of a dedicated page on its official website. The agency also works with public and non-public organizations to strengthen research in the field with the support of EU-Funded Projects. A specialized technical network was set up in order to continue identifying gaps in processes and legislation within the system in support of victims including victims of hate crime. Due efforts have been set in place to provide victims with more information on how to report hate crime cases. Victims can get in touch with the agency, even before filing a report with the police. The VSA has legal officers specializing in hate crime, and training of staff is ongoing.

The VSA actively advocates for victims' rights and provides support services to all victims, including those affected by hate speech and hate crimes. In addition, the VSA holds information sessions and prevention campaigns in schools and within the wider community, including older adults, to raise awareness about what constitutes hate speech and hate crime, and to explain how such incidents can be reported. 

Among the general support services offered, one specialized service involves assisting victims in preparing an official complaint to provide greater legal clarity regarding offences related to hate speech. These services are offered free of charge and complement the emotional and legal support also made available at no cost. It is important to note that the VSA monitors and supports the victim throughout the entire process. From an emotional standpoint, the VSA accompanies the victim to help them provide a clear and credible account of the facts in court.

To ensure the sensitive and respectful treatment of hate crime victims in Malta, the Victim Support Agency, through its established Victim Support Network, brings together representatives from various Ministries to address identified gaps in legislation and procedures. It also organizes ad hoc information sessions for professionals to raise awareness about the importance of supporting hate crime victims with sensitivity and care. Ongoing consultation and close collaboration with civil society remain key to strengthening efforts to combat hate crimes.

Police are trained on hate crimes and follow relevant internal guidelines. Victims are encouraged to file an evaluation form related to the service they receive.

Hate crime capacity building

Police officers receive training on hate crimes as part of their mandatory in-service programme, with the topic also forming part of the core training for recruits. This training is delivered through the Academy for Disciplined Forces, which integrates modules on human rights, ethics, diversity, and professional standards within various training levels—from basic courses required for promotion to Police Sergeant, to Officer Cadet programmes and the Diploma in Policing. While Malta previously implemented the ODIHR's Training against Hate Crimes for Law Enforcement (TAHCLE) programme in 2017, this occurred prior to the establishment of the current Training and Development Unit. In May 2025, Malta hosted a new round of TAHCLE training in collaboration with ODIHR. This edition focused on a “train-the-trainer” approach and equipped 15 police officers to deliver the training further across the force.

Since 2024, district police officers have also been receiving ad hoc training titled ‘Understanding Hate Communication and Hate Crime’. Additionally, the Human Rights Directorate continue to contribute periodically to training sessions within the Academy.

Hate crime training for all members of the judiciary is provided on an annual basis by means of local seminars organized by the Judicial Studies Committee. Specialized seminars attended by some members of the judiciary are held overseas and organized by entities such as the EJTN and ERA.

Hate crime trainings will be implemented in future as part of the second National Action Plan Against Racism (NAPAR).