In A Step For Women’s Rights, Abortions Are Now Allowed In Malta When A Woman’s Life Is In Danger
Abortion had been illegal in Malta under all circumstances.
In a small step for women’s rights, Malta has eased its abortion law to allow the procedure when the woman’s life is in danger.
Abortion had been illegal in Malta under all circumstances, even in cases of rape, incest or fetal abnormalities.
Having an abortion or helping someone to get an abortion could result in three years in prison.
Although the law had been rarely enforced, earlier in June, a woman was convicted for having an abortion although not jailed.
It was the first time in at least six years that someone has been tried for having an abortion, according to the pro-choice groups.
However, on Wednesday June 18, Malta’s parliament unanimously approved a law to allow abortions when the woman’s life is at “immediate risk”.
The law was introduced in June 2022 after an American tourist nearly died in Malta from pregnancy complications when doctors refused to perform an abortion.
Andrea Prudente eventually had to be airlifted to Spain to get the procedure.
A previous version of the law had allowed abortions when a woman’s life or health was at risk.
But “health” was removed from the law after anti-abortion groups said it was “too vague”.
However, the new law only allows abortions when a woman may die.
Doctors also have to refer pregnant people to a three-doctor panel before they are granted access to an abortion.
Rights groups say this could result in delays that could be fatal.
