The development of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Malta c.1945-1974

Abstract

The aim of this dissertation is to take a historical approach towards the broad subject of human rights and fundamental freedoms in order to provide new insights on their development in Malta from the period of the Second World War to the start of the Republic of Malta. The development of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Malta were taken into a historical context by providing an analysis of the political, economic, and social atmosphere of the time, both in the national and international sphere. In order to do so, research was primarily conducted through primary sources containing communications between the British Governors in Malta, the Maltese Governments, the Government of the United Kingdom, and its representatives as well as other officials within the international fora. It also included secondary sources detailing the different aspects of human rights and fundamental freedoms as well as sources containing the Maltese historical developments during the time being analysed. These sources are mentioned in the select literature review found within the first chapter which also acts as an introduction to the research done. The second chapter will focus on the development of human rights and fundamental freedoms in Malta from the end of the Second World War till 1950. With the start of the second responsible Maltese Government the hope for national self-determination and increased fundamental freedoms was felt. During the same period the issue of human rights and fundamental freedoms found their spotlight in the international fora through the United Nations. The third chapter will focus on the next seven years of Maltese history which were characterised by the uncertainty of Malta’s colonial position whilst the European Convention on Human Rights was being debated. The fourth chapter will go on to the last years leading up to the declaration of Malta’s Independence as the rhetoric on human rights starts to find itself as part of the Maltese identity. This aspect that will become even clearer in the final chapter of this dissertation as the period from independence to the changes made to reach a Republic Malta are discussed in terms of the attainment of more human rights and fundamental freedoms.