Thousands of people protested against changes to the strict abortion ban in Malta on Sunday.
The country’s Catholic leaders also took part in the largest demonstration in Malta for years.
The protest was about a change in penalties for doctors who perform abortions on women who have health problems.
The country’s top Catholic bishop and the leader of the conservative opposition also took part in the demonstration against the abortion law change, media and agencies report.
The protests stem from a request by Health Secretary Chris Fearne. He recently demanded that penalties of up to four years for doctors should be abolished. These apply if abortions are performed on women with serious health problems. To date, no such penalty has been imposed in Malta.
Tourist in Malta could not have an abortion
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Health Minister Chris Fearne’s initiative is based on a dramatic incident: in June, a pregnant US tourist in Malta suffered severe bleeding. The doctors treating her said the woman’s life was in danger. However, she had been denied termination of a non-viable pregnancy. She was then transferred to Spain where an abortion was performed. The woman later sued the government of Malta, asking the courts to declare that the ban on abortion violated human rights.
Malta’s Catholic Church, which has a large influence, as well as the centre-right opposition and some non-governmental organizations have spoken out against Fearne’s move. They fear that this will pave the way for full liberalization of abortion. According to surveys, a large part of the population of Malta is against abortion, especially older people.
SRF 4 News, December 5, 2022, 3:30 a.m.; saga;agencies
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