The European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual & Reproductive Rights (EPF) together with members of the European Parliament and national Parliaments, express their deep concern regarding the recent developments in Malta's abortion legislation in an urgent appeal to Malta's Prime Minister Abela.
On June 28th, the Maltese government reneged on its promise to enact legislation that would allow abortion in cases where the health of the pregnant person is in grave jeopardy. We are profoundly disappointed by the passing of the law through parliament, which removes Malta's total ban on abortion only when the life of the person is in immediate danger. This regressive step has effectively revoked previously included cases like mental health issues, health complications potentially leading to disability, including severe disability, and other health matters that would have been addressed under the proposed law.
Moreover, the new legislation requires the confirmation of life-threatening circumstances by three medical professionals, instead of allowing the pregnant person to consult with their trusted medical doctor of choice. This additional burden is concerning, as it potentially delays access to necessary healthcare services and puts the lives of all pregnant women and girls in Malta at even greater risk. Andrea Prudente’s case is demonstrative of the risks caused by the total ban on abortion. Here, doctors refused to intervene although the pregnancy was deemed no longer viable. The American woman had to be airlifted to Spain after being refused an abortion in Malta. After the new legislation, individuals facing difficult circumstances like Prudente, would be still forced to travel abroad to access the healthcare they desperately require.
As representatives of the European and national Parliaments, we believe that access to safe and legal abortion is a fundamental right that should be guaranteed to all individuals, and is an essential component of women’s health care. Malta's current stance jeopardises the health, well-being, and human rights of pregnant women and girls living there. We urge you to reconsider the recently passed legislation and take immediate action to protect the reproductive rights and health of all women and girls by:
- Reinstating the provisions that were removed from the legislation, ensuring that cases involving mental health issues, potential disabilities, and other relevant health matters are considered when determining the permissibility of abortion.
- Restoring the autonomy of the pregnant person to consult with their chosen medical doctor to confirm life-threatening circumstances, rather than imposing a requirement for confirmation by three different medical professionals.
- Creating a legal framework that allows for safe, accessible, and compassionate healthcare services for all women and girls seeking abortion care within Malta's borders, to prevent the need for individuals to travel abroad.
By taking these steps, we can demonstrate a commitment to upholding the rights and well-being of pregnant women and girls in Malta. It is imperative to ensure that individuals facing challenging circumstances can access the healthcare they need in a safe and timely manner, without undue burdens or the need to seek assistance abroad.