At a press conference addressed by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Governance Edward Zammit Lewis and the Minister for the Interior, National Security and Law Enforcement Byron Camilleri, an agreement was signed between the -Police Corps and Legal Aid Agency which will lead to more effective cooperation between the two entities.
In his speech, Minister Edward Zammit Lewis explained that this agreement will establish a strengthening of the collaboration between the Police Force and the Legal Aid Agency in order to bring about the rights of people who are being interrogated, arrested or brought before the Court are safeguarded. In addition, he said, we will continue to provide more resources to those who become victims of crime. The legal representation of the person, regardless of the means at his disposal, is a legal maximum that is reflected in this agreement.
Minister Zammit Lewis closed his speech by stressing the importance of this agreement as it will further strengthen collaboration between two areas in our society – national security and the field of justice. They have a vital role to play in ensuring that the citizen is given all the tools necessary to have a fair hearing before justice. Thus, this government continues to show that the effective and efficient work of our institutions remains an integral part of the work of the Abela Administration.
Minister Byron Camilleri explained that in a modern and democratic society everyone has their rights protected and respected.
“The Police Force does not operate alone in society, so in recent months we have announced a series of initiatives with various organizations through which the Force could work better,” said the minister. He reiterated that this agreement will give us more tools to ensure that indeed everyone has full access to justice, while this will not detract from the services provided to victims of crime.
