Medical professionals must decide whether the circumstance of the mother constitutes an abortion or not, and not government, Minister for Social Justice Michael Falzon said on Wednesday.
During a press conference on a new Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) mechanism for the vulnerable, Falzon was asked by the media about the controversial abortion bill amendment.
Parliament is currently discussing an amendment that would make it legal for a pregnancy to be terminated if the woman's life is at risk or her health is in grave jeopardy. This has drawn arguments from the Opposition, as well as several groups and experts, that government is aiming to introduce abortion.
Falzon said that there are two circumstances in this bill when terminating a pregnancy would be allowed, which is when a mother's life is at risk due to the pregnancy, or if she has serious health problems.
He said that there is an agreement from both sides that there should be an abortion if the mother's life is at risk, while discussions are still ongoing on the health question.
"Government has not closed any doors on the discussion for mental health problems. Our principle continues to be that we are in favour of life, and abortion will not be introduced in the country," Falzon said.
He continued that any other circumstance where a mother wants to get an abortion will remain illegal and a criminal act.
"What I want to emphasize is that we have never said that the discussion is over. As Prime Minister Robert Abela said, yes, we will continue to discuss even to reassure people's minds," Falzon said, adding that if the wording of the law needs to be amended, it will be.
Abela had said that government is ready to dialogue and listen to everyone, and is open to change the wording of the bill.
Falzon said that he categorically does not agree with abortion, and that his opinion is in line with the Labour party.
"In these circumstances, the professional will make the decision. It is not mine to make, neither as a politician nor as a legislator. The professional will make the decision and see if there is a risk of the woman's life, or her health," Falzon said.
Falzon said that groups, as well as the PN, are sending the message that they do not trust in the professionals.
"If we look at this exception as opening a runway to abortion, respectfully, it is not government who would have opened the runway, but the professional. They will decide if the danger is imminent on the mother's life or health," Falzon said.
He also said that we cannot say that each decision the professional makes is the wrong one.
"I am not a medical professional and I cannot impose on the judgements made by the professional," Falzon said.