The law in Malta is there to protect people, including the rights of the pre-born child, which is something truly positive because in many European countries these rights are not protected at all, the chairperson of the Malta Life Network, Miriam Sciberras, has told The Malta Independent.
Sciberras was reacting to recent comments by former Judge of the European Court of Human Rights Giovanni Bonello, who said that Maltese women can legally seek abortions outside the country.
But according to Sciberras, decriminalising abortion is simply stating that the killing of a child in the womb is not wrong.
Asked for her reaction to the launch of ‘Voice for Choice’, the first ever pro-choice and pro-abortion coalition, Sciberras said that the coalition has nothing to do with reproductive rights or about women.
“The coalition just wants to bring in abortion and has nothing to do with the rights of women; what about the rights of those babies who are girls, what about their rights?”
She said that the decriminalisation of abortion will also lead to questioning what type of child has the right to be born, as the life of disabled children would be in risk of being aborted just because of their condition.
‘What he said is nothing new, he is just confirming what has been taking place for years’
On Bonello’s comments, Sciberras said: “We have seen the figures of women having an abortion outside of Malta, and what he said is nothing new. But this does not mean that it is okay to legalise abortion in Malta.”
She said that in Malta the law is there to protect its citizens, including the unborn citizen. “Very few places abroad protect the foetus’ rights. In New York alone it is legal to abort up until the day of birth, and there are countries which even euthanize children. Is this morally right?”
She questioned whether the topic of abortion is being debated simply because it is legal in other countries.
Sciberras highlighted that Bonello was speaking about the legal value, and not the moral issue, which is the main problem.
“We need to discuss what abortion does to pre-born children, to the family and to our own country.”
She explained that Life Network Foundation is working to help young women and to provide the help they need during their difficult period.
“We are there to help and to show them that they are not alone on this journey, so that they do not resort to abortion, and do not harm themselves or their child.”
She said that no one is representing the voice of these children and that if the country wishes to foster a culture of life and wellbeing, one must start by protecting and supporting these women by showing them that they are not alone and they do not need to resort to abortion.