Jonathan Attard cites Attorney General Office collective agreement as investment in institutions

Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri said the Nationalist Party was wrong to claim that crime is on the rise, arguing that the Opposition had presented misleading interpretations of statistics released by criminologist Prof. Saviour Camilleri.

Minister Camilleri said the PN had classified offences such as blackmail under violent crime in order to create the impression that violent crime had increased.

He stressed that many categories of crime had in fact registered declines, including cases of bodily harm, armed robberies and pickpocketing.

The minister also highlighted the police force’s record in solving homicide cases, describing it as “a feather in their cap”.

Camilleri pledged continued support for law enforcement authorities, saying the government would continue providing the police with all the resources necessary to combat organised crime and drug trafficking.

Minister Camilleri said he was also surprised by the Opposition’s comments on immigration, insisting that Malta had managed to significantly reduce irregular migrant arrivals.

“We reduced immigrant arrivals by a significant 93 per cent,” Camilleri said, adding that Malta was the only country in the Mediterranean that had avoided remaining in a migration crisis.

He said the government had strengthened surveillance and enforcement efforts, while maintaining a humanitarian approach towards genuine asylum seekers.

“We do not help those who abuse the law, but we assist people who are genuinely fleeing war and persecution, such as asylum seekers,” he said.

Meanwhile, Justice Minister Jonathan Attard said a Labour government had invested heavily in the justice sector, pointing to reforms and legislative changes introduced in recent years.

Attard also referred to the collective agreement signed yesterday for employees within the Office of the Attorney General, describing it as another important investment in the sector.  The aim of this agreement is to continue strengthening the conditions of workers and legal professionals, while continuing to invest in the institution’s capacity and efficiency.

He said the government had implemented a record number of laws, including legislation addressing cyberbullying and cyberstalking, and against domestic violence.

There was also a record number of juries while a new court room to hear trials was also created.

He spoke about the Family Court and that a Labour government will continue to enhance and strengthen the courts and legislation protecting victims of domestic violence.

Labour election candidate Nigel Vella spoke about the stringent laws in place on foreign workers. He said foreign workers are brought in depending on the sector’s exigencies and not to the detriment of Maltese and Gozitan workers.

He also pointed out that the Opposition continues to engage in scaremongering tactics when it comes to foreign workers.