Malta
Malta has dedicated counterterrorism provisions in its Criminal Code. There is no carve-out for the exercise of fundamental human rights.
The Definition of Terrorism in Domestic Law
According to the Maltese Criminal Code, an "act of terrorism" is any act committed wilfully which may seriously damage a country or an international organisation. For a predicate offence to qualify as an act of terrorism it has to have the aim of:
(a) seriously intimidating a population, or
(b) unduly compelling a Government or international organisation to perform or abstain from performing any act, or
(c) seriously destabilising or destroying the fundamental political, constitutional, economic, or social structures of a country or an international organisation.Art. 328A(1), Criminal Code of Malta.
Adherence to Global and Regional Terrorism Treaties
Malta is a State Party to all of the main United Nations treaties on terrorism.
| Treaty | Adherence |
|---|---|
| 1973 Convention on Crimes against Internationally Protected Persons | State Party |
| 1979 Hostage-Taking Convention | State Party |
| 1997 Terrorist Bombings Convention | State Party |
| 1999 Terrorist Financing Convention | State Party |
| 2005 Nuclear Terrorism Convention | State Party |
Malta is also a State Party to two of the main regional treaties on terrorism.
| Treaty | Adherence |
|---|---|
| 1977 European Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism | State Party |
| 2003 Protocol amending the European Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism | Signatory |
| 2005 Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism | State Party |
| 2015 Additional Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism | Signatory |
Laws and Penalties for Terrorist Offences
The maximum penalty for terrorist offences is life imprisonment.Art. 328A(3), Criminal Code of Malta.
Counterterrorism Capacities and Policies at Domestic Level
The Malta Police and the Malta Security Services are responsible for counterterrorism operations.
Glossary
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