Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1543837
5 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 11 MARCH 2026 NEWS Abortion NGO's artwork about access to pills removed by Malta Biennale THE non-profit organisation Women on Waves, which pro- vides information and support on safe abortion in restrictive settings, has accused organisers of the Malta Biennale of censor- ship. The allegation comes after its artwork about access to abor- tion pills was removed hours before the exhibition's opening. The work had been scheduled to be displayed at the Malta Maritime Museum as part of the international arts festival, which opens tonight. According to Women on Waves, the biennale's curatori- al team ordered the removal of the artwork on Tuesday. The organisation also said it was not allowed to film the removal of the banners. Malta remains the only coun- try in the European Union with a near-total ban on abortion. Despite the ban, an estimated 600 women in Malta use abor- tion pills each year. The artwork originally dis- played the message "Need Abortion Pills?" in English and Maltese. At the request of the Malta Biennale, the banner was altered to read "Do You Need A Safe Abortion?", with the word "Pills" crossed out. However, Women on Waves said that on Monday after- noon it was informed that these changes were "not suitable". The organisation said the bien- nale subsequently asked for a new banner to be produced. On Tuesday morning, the bi- ennale informed the group that the work would be removed en- tirely. Organisers reportedly said the piece did not meet the "mini- mum aesthetic quality stand- ards to be shown in an interna- tional biennale". Rebecca Gomperts, founder of Women on Waves, criticised the decision. "There is nothing uglier than censorship," Gomperts said. "Abortion with medication is the only safe method available to Maltese women. By censor- ing the word 'pills', the bien- nale is harming these women by withholding critical health information pertaining to their health. This violates women's right to scientific information and our right to expression and free speech." Women on Waves said the decision raises concerns about freedom of expression. The or- ganisation cited Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects the right to freedom of expres- sion. In a legal analysis requested by the biennale leadership in Janu- ary 2026, Maltese lawyer Emma Portelli-Bonnici wrote that re- stricting lawful artistic expres- sion in cultural spaces can dam- age the wider cultural sphere. "When lawful artistic expres- sion is restricted within such spaces, the harm extends be- yond the individual artist or or- ganisation affected and reach- es the integrity of the cultural sphere itself," the analysis stat- ed. "Cultural expression is not ancillary to democratic life but an essential component of it." Women on Waves said it re- mains committed to supporting women in Malta seeking safe abortion care. The organisation also pointed to a December 2025 resolution by the European Parliament re- affirming that access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, including safe and legal abortion care, is a fundamental right. International medical bodies including the World Health Or- ganization and the Internation- al Federation of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians support tele- medicine abortion services and self-managed abortions, saying they are safe and effective. KARL AZZOPARDI kazzopardi@mediatoday.com.mt Man suspected of attempted murder found alive SALVATORE Di Prima has been found by the authorities after a three-day search, Malta- Today can confirm. Di Prima was found on Tues- day evening on 7pm and is cur- rently under arrest. Earlier MaltaToday reported that AFM divers were deployed to help with the search, after the three-day search left authorities considering that Di Prima might be found dead. Di Prima has been wanted by police since Saturday, when police received a call at around 10pm with information on an at- tempted murder near the White Rocks complex. Later information indicated that Di Prima may have tried to murder his two children. Sourc- es close to the investigation said his son had injuries compatible with stoning, while his daugh- ter had choke marks around her neck. The girl managed to escape the scene and called for help. Di Prima had fled the scene by the time the police arrived and a search for him has been going on since Saturday night. The searches initially focused along the coast- line in Baħar i ċ - Ċ a g ħ a q but a police spokesperson confirmed on Monday that the search area has been wid- ened since Di Pri- ma's whereabouts are still not known to the authorities. Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri announced on Face- book that Di Prima was found and arrested. He thanked inves- tigators and all entities involved in the case for their work during Above: Searches for the wanted remained ongoing throughout Monday (Photo: James Bianchi/ MaltaToday) Inset: Wanted man Salvatore Di Prima Salvatore Di Prima, suspected of trying to kill his children, has been found alive and is under arrest