Pro-abortion campaigners “cheered” as Gibraltar voted to expand its abortion law. Michael Robinson, SPUC Director of Communications, said: “This is a disastrous day for Gibraltar. The expansion of abortion and the attack on disabled human beings in particular around the world marks a terrifying trend. It cheapens human life, views disabled people as completely disposable and increasingly sees abortion as the default response to pregnancy.”

In a 25 June referendum, the British territory of Gibraltar voted 62% in favour of expanding its abortion law. Pro-abortion campaigners on the island greeted the result with loud cheers.

The result backs a proposal that will allow unborn children to be aborted until the 12th week of pregnancy, and then after if a foetal anomaly is suspected.

The leaders of the two parties in Gibraltar’s governing coalition, the Socialist Labour Party and the Liberal Party, urged voters to back the pro-abortion proposal.

The pro-abortion campaign group Gibraltar for Yes was flooded by social media users expressing their delight at the new abortion law.

One Facebook user said that “future generations will thank you”, while others called for Malta’s pro-life laws to be eradicated next.

Before the referendum, Gibraltar held some of the most pro-life laws in Europe, with abortion only permitted for the purpose of preserving the life of the mother.

Gibraltar’s new abortion law is expected to be implemented within 28 days.

A global and relentless attack on unborn children

SPUC’s Michael Robinson said: “This is a tragic and wrong decision that will have devastating consequences for mothers and unborn children in Gibraltar.

“Killing unborn children for having a disability is a barbaric form of discrimination that has no place in a civilized society. Each human deserves the basic right to life regardless of disability.

“The attack on unborn lives around the world is relentless and must be matched by an equally unyielding determination to protect the lives of the unborn.”

Responding to the referendum result, the campaign group Gibraltar Pro-life Movement said: “We will remain committed to the vision that we share for Gibraltar, a Gibraltar that will once again protect unborn babies in our law and welcome them in life and support their mothers.

“Our day will come again.”