The original bill allowing women access to abortion if a pregnant woman’s life or health was in danger was hailed as a step in the right direction for Malta, an overwhelmingly Roman Catholic nation. It was introduced last fall after an American tourist who miscarried had to be airlifted off the Mediterranean island nation to be treated.
Under amendments, however, a woman whose health is at grave risk can receive access to an abortion only after three specialists consent. The legislation being presented for a vote does allow pregnancy to be terminated if the woman’s life is at risk.
The Voices for Choice Coalition Malta last week withdrew its support for the bill, calling the amendments “a betrayal.”
The coalition of 14 pro-choice groups said the requirement for three specialists for women whose health is at risk is “unworkable and dangerous,” and cautioned that even in cases where a woman’s life is at risk, “it is highly likely that doctors will seek authorization due to fear of prosecution.”
Malta is the only one of the EU’s 27 nations that currently still prohibits abortion for any reason, with laws making it a crime punishable by up to three years in prison to have the procedure or up to four years to assist a woman in having an abortion.
