The objects of the Bill are to amend the provision of protection from discrimination provided in article 45 of the Constitution of Malta, Chapter IV, Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Individual.

The amendment will introduce immediate protection from discrimination on the ground of sexual orientation thereby ensuring that no law shall make any provision that is discriminatory either of itself or in its effect, nor any person acting by virtue of any written law or in the performance of the functions of any public office or any public authority may cause a person to experience discriminatory treatment on the ground of sexual orientation. This is expected to provide protection from discrimination in different areas of law and in one’s various life experiences. Introducing protection within the Constitution further strengthens Parliament’s commitment in this area; a commitment that started with the introduction of protection from discrimination under the Employment and Industrial Relations Act, the Equality for Men and Women Act and subsidiary legislation made thereunder, as well as the criminal sanctioning of homophobic actions under the Criminal Code.

It is expected that this amendment will provide redress to victims of discrimination in other areas which do not at present include an obligation of equality on the ground of sexual orientation. These other areas will include for example health, education, personal integrity and personal life.

The amendment retains the State’s discretion to legislate and regulate areas related to matters of personal law and thereby does not provide for same sex marriages. The regulation of this area of law is one that relies heavily on deep-rooted social and cultural connotations, and revolves around the right to marry which is to date not established to include a right to same-sex marriages.

The amendment also brings the protection from discrimination contained in the Constitution in line with the protection contained in the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, and makes such protection justiciable, thereby empowering victims to seek redress.