The National Council of Women Malta (NCW) has declared its "principled opposition to the legalisation of euthanasia."

The Council maintains that the deliberate ending of human life is incompatible with the ethical foundations of medicine, the protection of vulnerable persons, and the responsibilities of a compassionate society. 

"The debate on euthanasia is often framed around personal choice or autonomy-the belief that a competent individual should have the right to choose the time and manner of their own death. This framing is powerful, but incomplete. Autonomy does not exist in isolation. Every personal decision operates within a broader legal and social context, where the consequences extend beyond the individual. Such framing oversimplifies a complex and deeply consequential issue. True autonomy depends on the availability of alternatives. When access to high-quality palliative care is lacking, the decision to end one's life risks becoming a response to untreated pain, emotional isolation, or a sense of being a burden-not a free and informed choice. A choice made under pressure or in the absence of meaningful support is not a real choice. Human dignity is not contingent on control, and care, not killing, must remain the cornerstone of ethical healthcare," it said,

"Legalising euthanasia does not merely permit a private act. It creates a public system that facilitates and legitimises the intentional ending of life. It changes medicine, redefines care, and establishes a new societal message: that in some cases, death is preferable to life. This is not just about choice-it is about what the state should endorse, what healthcare should provide, and what values we choose to protect in common."

NCW Malta believes that law must draw a clear line between relieving suffering and eliminating the sufferer. "Compassion is not found in the administration of death, but in the refusal to abandon people when they are at their most vulnerable. Pain, fear, loneliness, and despair demand response-not with silence, not with exit-but with presence, expertise, and dignity-affirming care."

Palliative care offers a life-affirming and clinically effective approach to end-of-life suffering, the Council said. "It addresses physical pain, emotional distress, spiritual needs, and family support through a multidisciplinary model of care. Properly resourced palliative care enables individuals to live with dignity, comfort, and purpose until natural death. It reflects the values of solidarity, respect, and human dignity."

"NCW Malta calls for a national framework that upholds these principles and prioritises: Universal access to high-quality palliative care in hospitals, homes, and community settings; Increased investment in training healthcare professionals in pain management and end-of-life care; Emotional and practical support for caregivers and family members; Public education to empower citizens to make informed decisions about care options and advance planning."

Safeguarding life-particularly when it is most fragile-is not a denial of autonomy; it is the foundation of a just and ethical society, the Council said.

"No system should present death as a solution when care, support, and dignity can still be offered. The way we treat those who are most dependent reflects the moral integrity of our nation."

NCW Malta therefore urges lawmakers, healthcare leaders, and the wider public to reject the legalisation of euthanasia and to instead invest in care systems that affirm life, support the vulnerable, and uphold the ethical responsibility to protect.