Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1376560
11 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 23 MAY 2021 OPINION Why… absolutely zilch, of course. And not only that: but, throughout Borg's stint as Health Commissioner, the Eu- ropean Commission continued with its practice of funding abor- tions in third countries… includ- ing countries where (like Malta) the practice is actually illegal. According to a 2012 report by pro-life organisation European Dignity Watch, "Organizations like IPPF (International Planned Parenthood Federation), Ma- rie Stopes International, or Medécins Sans Frontières re- ceive huge funds from interna- tional donors such as the UN, USAID, or the European Com- mission, and deploy them to run 'healthcare' facilities in develop- ing countries in which they pro- vide abortions." Admittedly, this report was published a few months before Borg's appointment, in Novem- ber that same year. But there is plenty of evidence that the EU continued with its practice of funding abortions in third coun- tries throughout Tonio Borg's term; and also that the Com- mission (with Borg as one of its members) had refused, point- blank, to legislate against such funding programmes… even when it was handed the perfect opportunity to do so, on a silver platter. This is how Agenda Europe – once again, a pro-life blog – de- scribed this extraordinary turn of events: "In 2013/14, the Europe- an Citizens' Initiative ONE OF US called on the Commission to propose legislation that would ensure that no EU funds could be used for the funding of abortion. Even though the Initiative, with more than 1.7 million signatures, was the most successful citizens' initiative so far, the Commis- sion declined to follow up on it, claiming that 'while the objective of EU development cooperation is universal and equitable access to good quality care for all cit- izens, the EU fully respects the sovereign decisions of partner countries as to which health ser- vices will be provided and how they are packaged as long as they are in line with agreed human rights principles. Therefore the Commission does not favour ear- marking aid for certain services only, because it would make the comprehensive and effective sup- port of a country's health strategy more difficult'." Translation: the Europe- an Commission – in 2013/14, please note: when the Commis- sioner responsible for health was none other than Dr Tonio Borg – believed that the provision of abortion (even in countries where the practice is illegal) is 'in line with agreed human rights principles'. And once again, the same old question arises. Did our 'indefat- igable protector of the unborn child' ever object to that reason- ing, at any point of his two-year term as European Health Com- missioner? And if not… does he object to it now? Judging by his reaction to Mar- lene Farrugia's bill this week… the answers would appear to be 'no' and 'yes', respectively. In other words, Tonio Borg is either 'pro-life' or 'pro-choice', depending entirely on what au- dience – European, or Maltese – he happens to be addressing, at any given moment. Which takes us right back to that same excerpt I quoted from Tonio Borg's article, above: with the teenie-weenie difference that… this time round, it applies to his own "surprising, not to say hypocritical," u-turn… RECRUITMENT OF OFFICIALS within the Regional Councils CULTURAL OFFICER JOBSPLUS PERMIT NUMBER 234/2021 PROJECT MANAGEMENT OFFICER JOBSPLUS PERMIT NUMBER 236/2021 ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER JOBSPLUS PERMIT NUMBER 235/2021 Applications are being received by the Regional Councils for the above positions. Further details on the application and job description can be obtained by sending an email on spi.localgov@gov.mt Selected applicants will be required, inter alia, to fulfi l the responsibilities as required by the respective Regional Council as part of their ongoing support and commitment in their functions and in assisting Local Councils in the carrying out of their respective responsibilities to improve wellbeing in the community. The closing date for the applications is Monday, 31st May 2021 by 12:00hrs. FUNDS ADMINISTRATION OFFICER JOBSPLUS PERMIT NUMBER 231/2021 WASTE MANAGEMENT OFFICER JOBSPLUS PERMIT NUMBER 233/2021 ICT OFFICER JOBSPLUS PERMIT NUMBER 232/2021