Statistics on prosecuted and sentenced cases are not available, as data on bias motivations are not recorded.
The breakdown below may include offences that fall outside the OSCE's hate crime definition but could not be separated from hate crime cases.
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.
The 'unspecified' cases include one case of religious sentiment, which may fall outside the OSCE's hate crime definition.
The 'unspecified' case is a case of computer misuse, and may fall outside the OSCE's hate crime definition.
This category includes hate crime motivated by bias on the basis of political orientation.
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.
🛈 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.