Updated | Abortion: lobbies react to new amendments

Updated with PN reaction

Life Network Foundation declares victory after pressure on government

Life Network Foundation Malta has concluded that the government proposal to amend its own Bill 28 “does not introduce abortion to Malta,” in a statement reacting to government’s watered-down amendment announced on Friday.

The pro-life lobby stated that the proposed amendment, “will codify the existing life-saving practices currently being applied in Malta, and provide further safeguards for mothers, unborn babies, and doctors.”

The NGO stated that the newest changes to the amendments are a “direct result” of the pressure placed on government, citing over 25,000 emails sent to the prime minister, health minister and members of parliament. Life Network Foundation also credited the changes to “the more than 20,000 people who demonstrated in Valletta and the many individuals that expressed their concerns publicly on social media or privately with their MPs.”

This pressure, the lobby states, has sent a clear message that the original draft of the law would have introduced abortion to Malta, “and this was not acceptable to the people of Malta.”

In its statement, the NGO thanked government for listening to the concerns raised by the pro-life coalition, and specifically thanked president George Vella, “ for his strong defense of life and his appeal and efforts for further dialogue that have not gone unheeded.”

CEO of the Life Network Foundation concluded the statement, saying, “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.”

ADPD welcomes "compromise"

In a short statement, ADPD welcomed the compromise reached by government on the abortion debate, "but would have expected it to be bolder in its position."

The party's Chairperson, Sandra Gauci, stated that government could have been bolder by decriminalising abortion, as well as permitting abortion in cases of rape, incest, and non-viable pregnancies. 

Doctors for Choice lambast "regressive step"

Pro-choice NGO, Doctors for Choice has described the new amendment as one which could lead to a situation that is "even worse than the status quo." The group has gone as far as to state that government, "has turned Bill 28 from a law that would have protected women’s health to a law that could cost women their lives."

The addition of a requirement of approval from three specialists was described as one which was not yet in law, and therefore will create an extra barrier for abortion.

"By caving in to demands of people who do not care about women’s wellbeing and are only interested in maintaining a ban on abortion, the government has put all women who can get pregnant in our country in jeopardy," claimed the NGO.

Doctors for Choice have called for government to halt the law's progression through parliament to avoid "a historical mistake"

Volt Malta: "One step forward and two steps back"

Volt Malta has lambasted the fact that under the new amendment, if a pregnant woman's life is at risk, doctors will still need to approve of the abortion.

The party reiterated its call to decriminalise abortion and treat it as "an essential healthcare procedure."

Volt Malta, "is deeply disappointed in the Government, for having missed a golden opportunity to bring about meaningful change in reproductive rights."

PN calls for government to declare that it does "not try to introduce abortion to Malta again"

The Nationalist Party has called the newly announced changes to the abortion amendment as a "victory for life against those that want to introduce abortion to the country."

Describing today's changes as a "u-turn," the PN has described itself as consistent, in its criticism, demanding protection for pregnant women, unborn children and medical professionals alike.

"With the approval of this amendment in Parliament, it will be declared that abortion should not be introduced to the country."

Going a step further, PN insisted that the prime minister and Labour MPs should declare that they will not be introducing new amendments in an attempt to introduce abortion to Malta. 

Archdiocese thanks government for listening 

The Archdiocese of Malta thanked the government for listening to the concerns raised after the proposed amendment, while thanking "all those who contributed to this positive outcome."

The outcome, according to the Archdiocese, "continues to foster a culture of care that promotes the right to life of every human being while at the same time respecting the values of support and solidarity, especially to women in difficulty."

"A law that may kill women" -  Voice for Choice

The Voice for Choice coalition has described the new amendments as "vague, unworkable, and even dangerous," while pointing out that they may leave vulnerable pregnant women disabled, or possibly dead.

The pro-choice group noted that the debate created by the initial proposal gave way for abortion to be viewed as "the necessary medical procedure that it is," while stating that the newly announced revisions are a step in the wrong direction.

The addition of three specialists who are required to terminate a pregnancy was described as an extra hurdle, while still making it highly likely that doctors will seek authorisation before proceeding with the abortion out of fear of prosecution. Similarly to other pro-choice groups, Voice for Choice stated that this would mean regression from the status quo, as further delays in terminating pregnancies might be risked.

"The government is effectively saying that women should only be protected if they are going to die," stated the lobby, while saying that the action goes against actions meant to protect women against violence.

"As the Voice for Choice coalition, we withdraw our support for Bill 28 and call upon the government to pause the hurried passage of the Bill through Parliament, engage in more consultations, and to avoid making a historic mistake." 

The coalition concluded that they will not be deterred from pushing for change, and promised to keep fighting more passionately and determinedly, "until abortion is decriminalised and accessible."