2023-06-29 10:57:04
Protest for the right to abortion. Getty Images.
“The decision of the Maltese authorities to softening a version of the bill intended to partially decriminalize abortion in cases of serious risk to the life or health of pregnant people will put lives in danger”, Amnesty International declared after the approval of the project by Parliament.
Under the new law passed today, a member of medical personnel will be able to terminate a pregnancy if the person’s life is immediately at risk and before the “viability of the fetus.” In addition, medical personnel will be required to refer pregnant people whose health is at serious risk that could lead to death to a panel of three medical professionals before giving them access to an abortion. Cases of serious risk to health that “do not endanger life” are excluded from the decriminalization law.
“It is very disappointing that the government has decided to backtrack on last year’s initial proposal to decriminalize abortion for health reasons. This irresponsible law is a 180º turn that does not protect the health or life of pregnant people”, said Elisa De Pieri, Amnesty International Europe Researcher.
“Requiring the approval of three specialists before granting access to an abortion could cause deadly delays and also discourage medical personnel from referring the case, which could also have deadly consequences.”
In November, the government proposed a reform of the Criminal Code (Project Law 28) aimed at freeing medical personnel and pregnant people from the threat of criminal prosecution “when the interruption of pregnancy is carried out to protect life or health of a pregnant woman at serious risk. Under the revised bill, abortion in all other circumstances will remain illegal, which is contrary to and violates Malta’s international human rights obligations.
In June 2022, due to the criminalization of abortion, this procedure was denied to a US citizen who suffered a miscarriage despite the risk of infection and serious mental health consequences. On Monday, however, a restrictive reform of the original decriminalization proposal was presented and approved in the commission phase that significantly increased the number of circumstances in which abortion would continue to be a crime.
“While the government has finally recognized that access to abortion is necessary to save lives, this new law will create dangerous new barriers and delays for women and pregnant people who urgently need and have the right to receive medical treatment. This missed opportunity to increase access to abortion will put people’s lives and health at risk,” concluded Elisa De Pieri.
“We join activists and health organizations and demand that access to safe and legal abortion be guaranteed for the entire population.”
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