Malta ratifies European Convention’s non-discrimination protocol

Malta has ratified Protocol No. 12 to the European Convention on Human Rights removing the current limitation in the application of Article 14 on non-discrimination of the Convention to the rights enshrined in the treaty, and instead guarantees that no one shall be discriminated against on any ground by any public authority.

The Protocol will enter into force on 1 April 2016.

"The ratification of this Protocol was an electoral promise made by government as part of its bid to strengthen the human rights and equality framework in Malta," the civil liberties ministry said in a statement.

Protocol No. 12 enhances the present framework by protecting all those who are, discriminated against by a public authority, or in the enjoyment of a right granted to a person by any national law or public authority. This does not exclude the possibility of different treatment due to a reasonable justification, but it binds public authorities to act in a fair and equal manner with all persons.

Tomorrow's Human Rights Day will be marked by a half-day seminar organised by the Ministry for Social Dialogue, Consumer Affairs and Civil Liberties, which will launch further initiatives meant to further strengthen the field of human rights and equality.