PRESS RELEASE BY THE OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER: “Social justice must start from good laws” – Speaker Anġlu Farrugia

“Social justice must start from good laws,” stated the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Malta, Dr Anġlu Farrugia, when addressing the General Debate – High-Level Segment at the 150th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, following his participation at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (PA-UfM) in Granada.

Reflecting on his long parliamentary experience, Speaker Farrugia emphasised the importance of keeping politics close to the people. He noted that in Malta, Members of Parliament often retain their professional roles, allowing them to remain connected to the real challenges citizens face on the ground. He also underlined that while effective laws are essential, they are worthless if not properly enforced. He urged Parliaments to prioritise social development and justice, guided by universal principles that protect the vulnerable and ensure justice for all.

Speaker Anġlu Farrugia also highlighted Malta’s robust social security system and key reforms passed by Parliament, including the constitutional gender corrective mechanism, which increased female representation, and the 2022 criminal code amendment introducing femicide. He concluded by reaffirming the central role of Parliaments in driving social progress, stating that Parliaments are not only effective tools but essential institutions to improve social justice.

Over the coming days, Speaker Farrugia will be chairing over meetings of the IPU’s Committee for the Promotion of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), in his capacity as President of the Committee.

Speaker Farrugia is accompanied at the 150th IPU Assembly by Opposition Member of Parliament Ryan Callus. The delegation is being assisted by Ian Bajada.