Malta's parliament recently voted unanimously to loosen its stringent abortion laws, previously the strictest in the European Union. The amendments allow abortions when a pregnant woman's life is in immediate danger. However, if a woman's health is seriously at risk, even if potentially fatal, the procedure requires approval from three specialists. This change has sparked significant debate, with pro-choice advocates withdrawing their initial support for the bill.
The original legislation, prompted by the case of an American tourist who needed to be airlifted for miscarriage treatment, was seen as a positive step for the predominantly Catholic nation. It aimed to grant access to abortion if the mother's life or health was at risk. However, the revised law introduced the three-specialist requirement for cases where a woman's health is in grave danger, a provision criticized as "vague, unworkable, and even dangerous" by pro-choice groups.
Protests against the amended law took place in December, with thousands of Maltese citizens voicing their concerns. The governing Labor Party, which initially proposed the bill, backed the amendments, while the opposition also shifted to a supportive stance after the changes. The Voices for Choice Coalition Malta, comprising 14 pro-choice organizations, withdrew their endorsement, labeling the revisions a "betrayal." They argue that the three-specialist requirement is impractical and potentially harmful, and fear that even in life-threatening situations, doctors might hesitate to act without authorization due to fear of legal repercussions.
Until now, Malta was the sole EU member state with a complete abortion ban, with penalties of up to three years imprisonment for undergoing the procedure and up to four years for assisting someone in obtaining one. Enforcement has been rare, with the last known imprisonment occurring in 1980. However, a woman was charged under this law earlier this month, though not jailed.
Malta's prior complete ban set it apart from most Western nations. San Marino decriminalized abortion last year, and other predominantly Catholic countries like Ireland and Italy have also legalized the procedure. In contrast, Poland implemented a near-total ban in 2022, allowing exceptions only when the woman's life or health is at risk, or in cases of rape or incest. The new Maltese law does not include exceptions for rape or incest.
