New parliament to open with human-rights commission on agenda

Prime Minister Robert Abela said the new legislature would open on 20 June, 21 days after the general election. One of the government’s first bills would create a Commission for the Protection of Civil and Fundamental Human Rights. Abela also promised legislation to simplify reporting duties for voluntary organisations while preserving governance standards and differentiating obligations by size. Further early work would include amendments to IVF laws, including wider pre-implantation genetic testing. He said the accelerated opening signalled an intention to begin implementing the electoral programme before the summer recess.