Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1380662
16 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 6 JUNE 2021 NEWS MAT THEW VELLA PRO-LIFE doctors have made an open appeal to Maltese MEPs to vote against a Europe- an Parliament report by Hun- garian socialist MEP Pedrag Matic that calls on EU states to give women access to abortion. Doctors For Life said yester- day that MEPs should consid- er the threat to subsidiarity and conscientious objection, should the Matic report be adopted. However, the report has no legislative power to influence national law. The Matic report urges mem- ber states to protect and en- hance women's sexual and re- productive health and rights, calling on EU countries to en- sure access to a full range of high-quality, comprehensive and accessible SRHR, and to remove all barriers impeding full access to these services. The report notes that some member states still have high- ly restrictive laws prohibiting abortion except in strictly de- fined circumstances, leading to women having to seek clan- destine abortions or carry their pregnancy to term against their will, which Matic called a vio- lation of their human rights. Malta is the only EU member state to fully outlaw abortion. A recent Bill by independent MP Marlene Farrugia called for the decriminalisation of abortion, which carries a pen- alty of three years' imprison- ment for women who procure a termination. The report in fact calls a to- tal ban on abortion care a form of gender-based violence, and urges all member states to en- sure universal access to safe and legal abortion, guarantee that abortion at request is legal in early pregnancy, and beyond if the pregnant person's health is in danger. But Doctors For Life (DFL) spokesperson Dr Gabriel Ellul said the report intereferes with the principle of subsidiarity, where due recognition is given to the exclusive jurisdiction of member states on management of their health systems and na- tional health policy choices. Ellul also said the report disregards the right to con- scientious objection in lawful medical care, and attempts to introduce the recognition of a right to abortion "although no such right exists, nor can it be derived from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights or the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union." "On the contrary, since the 1994 Cairo Conference, states have committed themselves to 'reduce the recourse to abor- tion' and to 'take appropriate steps to help women avoid abortion'," Ellul said. "In light of this, DFL appeals to MEPs to seriously consider the legal and ethical repercus- sions of this report prior to casting their vote. Indeed, the report has no legal basis and seriously damages the funda- mental rights enshrined in the EU Charter." The vote will be taken on Monday, 7 June. Rapporteur Pedrag Matić said the text on which MEPs will vote calls on member states to ensure universal access to SRHR for all, and demonstrate there is strength in the EP to counter those opposing basic human rights. "Sexuality edu- cation, access to contraception and fertility treatments as well as abortion constitute some of the key components of SRHR services. This is an important step in ensuring that all EU citizens have access to SRHR and that no person is left be- hind in exercising their right to health." The report also demands that EU countries ensure universal access to a range of high-qual- ity contraceptive methods and supplies, family counselling and information on contracep- tion. They also urge member states to ensure access to compre- hensive sexuality education for primary and secondary school children, as SRHR education can significantly contribute to reducing sexual violence and harassment. Regretting that access to abortion continues to be limit- ed during the COVID-19 crisis, as well as the effects the pan- demic has had on the supply and access to contraceptives, the report urges EU countries to consider the health impact of this crisis through a gender lens and ensure the continu- ation of a full range of SRHR services through the health systems. Pro-life doctors tell MEPs to vote down 'abortion right' report PRELIMINARY MARKET CONSULTATION MALTESE SPELLING AND GRAMMAR CHECKER SOLUTION AND RELATED SERVICES The purpose of this Preliminary Market Consultation (PMC) is to identify potential Solutions and the avaiability of Economic Operators who are able to provide a Maltese Spelling and Grammar Checker solution. For more information visit etenders.gov.mt TENDER ID: MHAL/01/2021 Interested parties are to submit their bid via the e-tenders portal by not ater than 30/06/2021 12:00 C M Y CM MY CY CMY K Spell Checker 1.pdf 1 27/05/2021 08:14