Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1502123
12 NEWS ANALYSIS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 25 JUNE 2023 GOVERNMENT'S announce- ment on Friday regarding new amendments to the abortion bill have generated wave after wave of reactions from all ends of the spectrum. Since the start of the debate on abortion in Novem- ber 2022, following the case of Andrea Prudente, an American tourist who was forced to trans- fer to Spain after needing an abortion while on holiday in Mal- ta, both sides were vociferous on their views on the controversial topic. Mainly, the new abortion amendments would only allow an abortion to be carried out if a woman's life is at 'immediate risk' and if her health would be in 'grave jeopardy which can lead to death.' On top of this, the introduction of a three-member medical team to decide on termination was an- nounced, and it was made clear that if the foetus can live outside the womb, it has to be delivered. On Friday, when the changes to the abortion amendment, were announced, one could note a sense of disappointment within among pro-choice activists and a sense of triumph among pro-life groups. Speaking to MaltaToday pro- life voices appear to have reached a consensus that the newest changes do not represent any change from the present situa- tion. What the amendments do, however, is codify the present process. According to the pro-life camp, this gives the necessary re- assurance to the medical profes- sionals to carry out the abortion should the case merit the proce- dure. Additionally, those from the pro-life camp agreed that the in- itial amendments were vague in their wording, meaning that this ambiguity could lead to a situ- ation where "abortion is intro- duced in Malta." On the other end of the spec- trum, the criticism of the new amendments from all pro-choice NGOs and spokespersons can be summed up in the phrase "one step forward, two steps back." Pro-choice voices described the latest updates as "vague", while lambasting government's "dis- regard to mental and physical health." This criticism stems from the fact that if the medical condition affecting the mother does not lead to the risk of death despite having severe repurcus- sions, the pregnancy must move forward and cannot be terminat- ed. The pro-choice camp, while re- iterating its belief that even the original proposed amendments were "the bare minimum," the newest watered-down changes were a "big let-down." Addition- ally, pro-choice activists noted the contradiction in Prime Min- ister Robert Abela's 'discomfort' over a recent conviction of a woman who had an abortion and the newest amendments to the law. Under the proposed changes to the law, women can still find themselves in the same situation. Pro-life and pro-choice voices react to the new abortion amendments to Bill 28. MATTHEW FARRUGIA reports Abortion changes: Between a 'victory for life' and Desiree Attard, lawyer, feminist activist and former PL councillor "I'm quite shocked to be honest with you, this was a huge let-down. The newest changes have left us with a million unanswered questions. The initial amendments were already the bare minimum but this is something else." Tonio Fenech, Catholic Voices Malta coordinator and former PN minister "The newest amendments codify the procedure that normally takes place when a pregnant woman's life is in danger. It seems that government realised that the majority of the Maltese people are against abortion, and no party can ignore that wave of support." Cyrus Engerer, PL MEP "The amendments to the law will for the first time guarantee the choice to life for pregnant persons who would have their life in danger - which healthcare till today was punishable by law. We must ensure universal access to all sexual and reproductive health and rights."