Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/547695
2 maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 29 JULY 2015 News Human rights NGOs back call for abortion debate Integra Foundation director says abortion issue must not 'remain in the shadows, cloaked up in some kind of culture of shame' TIM DIACONO HUMAN rights NGOs aditus Foundation and Integra Founda- tion have backed a call to open up a debate on the possibility of legalis- ing abortion. "This issue cannot and must not remain in the shadows, cloaked in some kind of culture of shame," Integra director Maria Pisani told MaltaToday. "We think it's time for an informed and open debate on abortion." While she said that "the time was not right" to take a stance on the legalisation of abortion, she noted that Malta's blanket ban doesn't even allow for abortion in exceptional cases, such as saving a mother's life. "There can be no doubt that the law can negatively impact some women's lives," she said. Aditus director Neil Falzon called on policy-makers to organ- ise an inclusive and safe space for all views on abortion to be heard and to refute discussion processes that declare their unwillingness to engage with the subject from the start. "Any policy discussion on the matter cannot afford to be shad- owed or prejudiced by a rigid stance that refuses to listen to oth- er perspectives," he said. He warned that Malta's absolute criminalisation of abortion could be leading to situations that place the health and lives of women at risk on a regular basis. "Whatever one's position is, surely it is wiser to advocate for an approach that seeks to prevent and minimise such risks, instead of in- sisting on one that pushes women to actually seek them out," Falzon said. Malta is the only European coun- try, and one of the few countries in the world, that imposes a blanket ban on abortion, an issue repeat- edly flagged by a number of UN committees. The UN Human Rights Com- mittee in November called on the Maltese government to make exceptions to the general ban on abortion for therapeutic purposes and when the pregnancy is the re- sult of rape or incest. "The general criminalisation of abortion forces pregnant women to seek clandestine abortion services which put their lives and health at risk," the committee said. However, all major Maltese po- litical parties have adopted zero- tolerance policies where abortion is concerned and no local NGO has yet taken a strong pro-abortion stance. A group, 'Pro-Choice Malta' was recently set up to push for the le- galisation of abortion. It as yet un- known who is behind the group, with its Facebook page not provid- ing any contact details other than the group's e-mail address. "We call on our lawmakers to review this legislation and re-con- sider the impact that this [blan- ket] ban is having on the lives of women, on their health, and physi- cal and mental safety," the group wrote on their page. "Maltese women do carry out abortions in other countries where abortion is allowed, such as the UK, so why shouldn't we provide women with the chance to have a safe abortion in their own coun- try? "Illegal abortions put women's lives in danger and women should have access to safe medical pro- cedures in their own country, to- gether with the help and support of their friends and family. "Having an abortion is a tough decision but women should feel empowered and have the right to choose. It is a woman's body that will be affected by the pregnancy." The Malta Humanist Association backed the call for a mature and reasoned discussion on abortion, pointing out that "for too long, abortion has been the elephant in the room that nobody wants to talk about, but issues are not re- solved by ignoring them or sweep- ing them under the carpet." The humanists said that between the existing blanket ban on abor- tion, and unrestricted, unregulated abortion "there are many grey are- as that one should explore through dialogue and without prejudice." However, the pro-life lobby was out in full force to nip the debate in the bud. In a brief statement, the LifeNetwork Foundation invited people to "celebrate life, not the culture of death which is currently being proposed". The anti-abortion group said: "Without entering into any con- troversies of a civil, political or religious nature, any person who is embedded with right reason, the reason which is written in the hearts of man, and who believes in the intrinsic and basic value of life, knows that life starts at natural conception and ends with natural death." In a separate post on their Face- book page, the organisation dis- missed the argument that abortion should be legalised to allow women access to safe medical procedures in their own country. "It is also safer for burglars if we legalise their trade," the group said. "The inconvenience of having to work in the dark warrants our compassion. It is much safer to do the job in broad daylight lest they trip and injure their legs." C A R E E R O P P O RT U N I T Y e Malta Environment and Planning Authority is committed to ensure that land use and the protection of the environment meet the needs of today's society and future communities. e Authority has a vacancy for the post of: HEAD OF FINANCE e role entails responsibility for all nancial aspects of the new Environment and Resources Authority. e person is required to have: Qualications: BA(Hons) Accountancy degree, MIA or ACCA; a valid warrant to practice as an Accountant. Experience: A minimum of 5 years relevant experience in Financial Management role within a medium or large organisation. Experience on various computerised accounting systems is required. Personal Skills: Interpersonal, Leadership, Communication, Methodological skills. Attributes: Reliability and trustworthiness; Integrity; Collaborative attitude; Team player and builder; Ability to work under pressure; Fluent in both written and spoken Maltese and English. Organisational Skills: Administration; Research and analysis; Coordination; Analytical; Time management; Negotiation. e above post is for a denite period, of three years, with the possibility of renewal. e employment in this position is specically for the new Environment and Resources Authority that will be formed by the Act that shall regulate the functions of this Authority. Interim employment in this post until the legislation of the new Act, shall be with MEPA. Interested candidates are advised to submit their application, together with a detailed curriculum vitae by the 5 th August 2015 to: e Human Resources Manager Malta Environment and Planning Authority Ref: Head of Finance ETC Permit No. 138/2015 PO Box Marsa, MRS 1000 via email on jobsepd@mepa.org.mt For further information visit our website: www.mepa.org.mt/org-current-openings-at-mepa. Local council hits out at lack of traffic CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 But urging drivers to use different routes, the police encouraged people stuck in traffic to keep calm. Commuters travelling from the North of the island were yesterday greeted with extreme traffic jams in arterial roads in Qawra, St. Paul's Bay and the Salina area, as the Coast Road was in parts closed off to traffic for surfacing works. The usually five minute-long trip from the Sunny Coast hotel in Qawra to the Erba' Mwiezeb roundabout took some 45 minutes in all, and drivers saw that the situ- ation was not improving at all even as the rush hour subsided. Drivers who opted for the Salini and Telgha t'Alla u Ommu route rather than heading to Burmarrad, crawled all the way up to Naxxar as traffic accumulated and moved at a snail's pace in the roads – or not at all. The dire congestion also hindered drivers heading to the north from areas like Swieqi, Sliema and St. Ju- lian's, with substantial jams even in Tal-Balal road in San Gwann. Drivers heading from Telgha t'Alla u Ommu were being divert- ed away from the Birguma by-pass once they made it up Telgha t'Alla u Ommu, and being encouraged to use Triq San Pawl to get to Naxx- ar. Galea insisted that other solu- tions were available and suggested that the Coast Road works be car- ried out during the night, when traffic was light. "While it might take longer to complete, it won't burden St Paul's Bay in such an exaggerated man- ner," the St Paul's Bay mayor said. She also warned that the soli- tary policeman who was deployed at the Erba' Mwiezeb roundabout couldn't control the traffic by him- self and called on the Police Com- missioner to add to the police pres- ence in the area. The police have issued a state- ment to encourage drivers to avoid the area starting from Xemxija (by Beach Haven) through St Paul's Bypass followed by the roundabout know as tal-Erba' Mwiezeb and Telgha t'Alla u Ommu including the surrounding areas. "The Traffic Police are doing their utmost," they said, "but we also need your co-operation." Explaining that the traffic con- gestion is due to roadworks along Graziella Galea