The Executive Committee of ADPD - The Green Party approved a resolution about abortion in response to the initiative taken buy independent MP Marlene Farrugia in Parliament earlier this week.

"The Maltese legislation on abortion is not fit for purpose. It needs to be brought up to date after more than 160 years. It requires to be brought in line with medical and scientific progress over the years."

The resolution was presented for the consideration of the Executive Committee by Party Chairperson Carmel Cacopardo. It is the result of an internal party debate ongoing for the past three years.

The resolution supports the decriminalisation, limited to the woman subject to abortion, and emphasises that abortion should not be normalised but that it should be limited to specific and extraordinary circumstances. Three such circumstances are identified, namely when the life of the pregnant woman is in danger, when a pregnancy is the result of violence (rape and incest) and when faced with a pregnancy which is not viable.

"There is an urgent need for more emphasis on reproductive and sexual health education at all levels of our educational structures. We need to reinforce responsible behaviour in particular from males. The party is available and willing to participate in dialogue with civil society possibly to identify a consensual approach to the required reforms."