Public emergency law under the Maltese Constitution

Abstract

This article examines the provisions of the Constitution of Malta regarding public emergency law, focusing on the conditions and procedures for declaring and maintaining a state of emergency. It outlines the powers granted to the government during emergencies under the Emergency Powers Act and discusses the role of the Armed Forces, highlighting the limits of military authority in both public emergency and martial law. The article also touches on Malta’s neutrality policy and its implications for foreign military involvement during emergencies, ensuring that emergency powers are exercised in accordance with democratic principles and international human rights standards.