Human Rights Committee

Concluding observations on the second periodic report of Malta *

The Committee considered the second periodic report submitted by Malta (CCPR/C/MLT/2) at its 3106th and 3107th meetings (CCPR/C/SR.3106 and3107), held on 13 and 14 October 2014. At its 3127th meeting (CCPR/C/SR.3127), held on 28 October 2014, it adopted the following concluding observations.

A.Introduction

The Committee welcomes the submission of the second periodic report of Malta albeit very late, and the information presented therein. It expresses appreciation for the opportunity to renew its constructive dialogue with the State party’s inter-ministerial delegation on the measures that the State party has taken during the reporting period to implement the provisions of the Covenant. The Committee is grateful to the State party for its written replies (CCPR/C/MLT/Q/2/Add.1) to the list of issues, which were supplemented by the oral responses provided by the delegation, and for the supplementary information provided to it in writing.

B.Positive aspects

The Committee welcomes the following legislative and institutional steps taken by the State party:

(a)The adoption of the Civil Union Act, in April 2014;

(b)The amendment to article 45 (3) of the Constitution, which introduces sexual orientation and gender identity as prohibited grounds of discrimination;

(c)The amendments to articles 35 (1) and 37 (1) of the Criminal Code, which increase the age of criminal responsibility of children from 9 to 14 years old;

(d)The amendment to article 339 of the Criminal Code aimed at prohibiting corporal punishment in all settings;

(e)The adoption of the Second National Action Plan on Combating Trafficking in Persons 2013–2014.

The Committee welcomes the ratification of, or accession to, the following international instruments by the State party:

(a)The Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights aiming at the abolition of the death penalty, in 1994;

(b)The Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, in 2010;

(c)The Convention on the Rights of Person