Malta’s government has backed down over a proposed abortion law following a huge backlash from Maltese citizens. Malta remains one of Europe’s few pro-life outposts.
The new law would have permitted abortion when a mother’s health was at risk. But critics of the draft bill said that the definition of what constituted a health risk was too broad.
Outraged Maltese citizens responded decisively in a pro-life campaign that saw 25,000 people email politicians and MPs that included the Prime Minister and Minister of Health.
20,000 Maltese also marched in the streets of Valletta, the island’s capital – a significant number given that Malta’s population numbers just over 500,000.
Meanwhile, Malta’s president, George Vella, reportedly said that he’d rather resign than sign the draft abortion bill into law.
Following the rejection of the bill last Friday, it will now be amended to only allow abortion when a mother’s life is in danger, and when there is no other medical recourse. Abortion will have to be agreed on by three doctors.
Abortion in cases of rape, incest and fetal abnormalities will remain illegal in Malta.
Miriam Sciberras, CEO of Life Network Foundation, said: “The voice of the people of Malta has been very clear: we are a pro-life nation, valuing every life, the mother that deserves our utmost protection especially when in difficulty, the unborn child that today we have saved…
“Thanks to this new version of the legislation, we will continue to do this.”
SPUC comment
A SPUC spokesperson said: “Malta has a long, proud history of withstanding sieges. Most recently, it is Europe that has attempted to impose abortion on this traditionally Catholic, pro-life island. But Malta is resisting.
“Last year, Dunja Mijatovic, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, demanded that Malta legalise abortion and outlaw conscientious objection to abortion.
“But the people of Malta will not be bullied by abortion ideologues. We can all take inspiration from this victory for the human rights of the unborn and their mothers. It shows what can be achieved when peaceful pro-lifers mobilise and take meaningful action.”
Similar stories
Pro-life Malta resists “deplorable” pro-abortion Council of Europe diktat
Pro-life “victory” as Poland implements abortion ban