“Studies abroad show that mediation is a mechanism that works. We are aware of the challenges posed by the Maltese context, in which mediation would be working and we are confident that it can work. There were cases of victims who felt the need to face their perpetrators,†the minister explained when asked whether he sees mediation working within the Maltese culture.
A Mediation Committee will be set up to oversee the ongoing mediation processes. Mediation leads to a restorative agreement, however mediation is not obligatory and it is up to the victim’s discretion to decide.
The Bill will be published in today’s Government Gazette and if deadlines will be respected the Bill would be approved by the end of the year, but this depends on the parliamentary agenda, explained Dr Mifsud Bonnici.
“This is a very important Bill. The work on it was laborious and lengthy. It took two years to complete, but it signifies a commitment towards less criminality,†he said.
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