Freedom in the World 2016 - Malta

Freedom Status: Free
Aggregate Score: 96
Freedom Rating: 1.0
Political Rights: 1
Civil Liberties: 1

Quick Facts

Capital: Valetta
Population: 431,486
GDP/capita: $22,776.20
Press Freedom Status: Free
Net Freedom Status: N/A

OVERVIEW

Political Rights: 39 / 40

Civil Liberties: 57 / 60 (-1)

In May 2015, a report from the UN special rapporteur on the human rights of migrants found that migrants have difficulty integrating into Malta's economy and society. It noted the prevalence of labor exploitation and weak enforcement of laws against such abuses. Also that month, the Migrant Integration Policy Index ranked Malta 33 out of 38 countries, underscoring problems in areas such as labor-market mobility, education, and access to permanent residence.

The parliament passed a new party financing law in July, stipulating that parties must adhere to international auditing standards, that they cannot accept donations from any government entity, that no donations should be accepted from trusts or foundations with unknown beneficiaries, that all donations over €7,000 ($7,800) must be published online, and that any individual donation cannot exceed €25,000 ($28,000).

Separately during 2015, officials continued to investigate corruption scandals involving the state-owned energy company Enemalta. In May, the company's former chief projects officer was acquitted of charges that he had accepted bribes from an oil trader.

This country report has been abridged for Freedom in the World 2016. For background information on political rights and civil liberties in Malta, see Freedom in the World 2015.

Scoring Key: X / Y (Z)

X = Score Received
Y = Best Possible Score
Z = Change from Previous Year