Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1543144
THE Malta Women's Lobby says it does not want to "throw the first stone". Admirable. It then proceeds to throw the entire Criminal Code out the win- dow. Because this is the quiet move their article makes: If punishing something feels unkind, then the solution is not to rethink punish- ment but to stop calling the act a crime altogether. That, we are told, is compassion. Let's slow down. The lobby insists it is possible to be morally opposed to abortion while supporting its decriminal- isation. This sounds reasonable until one realises it rests on a ba- sic confusion. There is a crucial difference between decriminalisa- tion and depenalisation, and col- lapsing the two does not make us humane; it makes us incoherent. If abortion is morally wrong and it involves the deliberate ending of an innocent human life, then re- moving it from criminal law is not an act of mercy. It is a declaration that the law no longer wishes to recognise that wrong as a wrong. Compassion does not require le- gal amnesia. What is legitimately open to discussion is penalisation. Who should be punished? How? To what extent? With what accom- panying support, care, and heal- ing? These are precisely the ques- tions a humane society should ask, without pretending the act itself is morally neutral. Here, clarity matters. In the overwhelming majority of cases, the woman does not carry out the abortion herself. The direct act is performed by the doctor or pro- vider, often professionally, repeat- edly, and for payment. If the law is serious about justice, primary le- gal responsibility must fall on the one who intentionally performs the act. Blurring this distinction does not protect women; it dis- torts responsibility. This does not mean the wom- an bears no responsibility at all. But her penalisation should reflect reality—fear, pressure, abandonment, lack of informa- tion, or coercion. Penalisation, in her case, can and should include mandatory counselling, healing programmes, community ser- vice, and restorative measures that acknowledge harm without compounding it. Prison should never be automatic—but neither should it be declared unthinkable in every circumstance. A humane legal framework allows for case- by-case judgement, not blanket absolution disguised as kindness. The Women's Lobby warns against "throwing the first stone", yet decriminalisation does not pre- vent stones from being thrown, it simply ensures that only one life is left unprotected by law. If we gen- uinely believe women are often vulnerable and misled, then the law should reflect both truth and mercy, affirming the gravity of the act while recognising diminished culpability and prioritising sup- port over retribution. Much is made of the distress caused by court proceedings. No one denies this. But distress alone has never been a reason to legalise injustice. Courts are distressing because moral failures are dis- tressing, especially when they in- volve irreversible loss. The answer is not to pretend nothing wrongful occurred, but to ensure responses are proportionate, compassionate, and oriented toward restoration rather than vengeance. And beyond law and punish- ment lies a deeper responsibility. The goal should not merely be to manage abortion once it happens, but to build a country—and a state of affairs—in which a woman does not even feel the need to seek one. A society that truly supports women before, during, and after pregnancy; that does not leave them choosing between their child and their livelihood, their education, or their dignity, is the most pro-woman policy of all. A cross-party discussion is wel- come. But honesty is required about what is being discussed. This is not merely a healthcare ad- justment or a procedural reform. It is a question about whether our law still has the courage to say that some acts are wrong, even when responding to them demands patience, mercy, and care rather than harsh punishment. Compassion does not mean re- fusing to throw the first stone. It means refusing to pretend there is no stone at all. 6 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 8 FEBRUARY 2026 OPINION Mariana Debono Philosophy PhD candidate, poet and writer Compassion, stones, and the curious case of making wrong things legal Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi EU Funds Minister How Servizzi Ewropej helps Malta make the most of EU Membership FOR many Maltese citizens and organisations, navigating EU funding rules can seem daunting. Servizzi Ewropej Malta (SEM) is changing that, by assisting indi- viduals, professionals, and enter- prises to unlock the benefits of EU funding opportunities while avoiding costly mistakes. As a gateway to EU funds, SEM assists a broad spectrum of ap- plicants including self-employed professionals, micro-enterprises, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), voluntary organisations, local councils and public entities. Its mission is to make EU funds accessible to all who qualify, en- suring Malta's participation in EU initiatives translates into tangible social and economic progress. SEM was set up by the govern- ment to provide services that cov- er every step of the process, from identifying suitable funding calls to drafting applications and as- sisting with the implementation of approved projects. Its officials offer one-to-one consultations and technical guidance, that help clients minimise errors, reduce administrative delays, and save money. These services are offered free of charge. Without this support, many smaller entities risk disqualifica- tion over technicalities or report- ing oversights. SEM mitigates such risks by reviewing proposals before submission. 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The agency's work stands as proof that even in a small island state, well-targeted assistance can turn EU policy into real-world progress. The agency's work stands as proof that even in a small island state, well-targeted assistance can turn EU policy into real-world progress