Amended pro-life bill passes through committee stage, despite appeals by pro-choice activists

The government’s amended abortion bill has passed through Parliament’s committee stage with unanimous support from all MPs present, despite appeals by pro-choice activists for the bill which had initially been proposed to be reinstated.

The amendments to the bill, which seeks to change Malta’s Criminal Code, were presented last week, with the government changing several controversial elements of its first proposal in an act which drew praise from pro-life lobbies, and scorn from pro-choice lobbies.

Read the full article here.

Malta govt backs down on abortion bill after protests

Reuters

VALLETTA, June 23 (Reuters) – Malta’s government on Friday backed down on a bill which would have allowed the abortion of pregnancies when the mother’s health was at serious risk, saying instead that terminations would only be allowed when the mother’s life was in danger.

Read the full article here.

PRESS RELEASE: COALITION IN FAVOUR OF LIFE ACCOMPLISHES ITS OBJECTIVE – NO TO ABORTION WINS

Verzjoni bil-Malta

Il-Koalizzjoni favur il-Ħajja twettaq l-għan tagħha

LE GĦALL-ABORT JIRBAĦ.

Wara l-pubblikazzjoni tal-verżjoni riveduta tal-Gvern tal-emenda tal-Kodiċi Kriminali relatata ma’ ommijiet tqal u trabi fil-ġuf tagħhomu li jsibu ruħhom f’diffikultajiet ta’ theddida għall-ħajja, il-Koalizzjoni Inti Tista’ Ssalvani ħadmet ma’ mħallfin, tobba, avukati u etiċi biex tanalizza l- abbozz ta’ emenda ġdida mressqa mill-Gvern u toħroġ bil-pożizzjoni tagħha.

Il-koalizzjoni tirrikonoxxi li l-abbozz kif rivedut mill-ġdid mill-Gvern hu riżultat dirett tal-aktar minn 25,000 persuna li bagħtu email lill-Prim Ministru, Ministru tas-Saħħa, u lid-deputati tad-Distrett tagħhom, l-aktar minn 20,000 persuna li hargu jiddemostraw fil-Belt Valletta u l-ħafna individwi li esprimew it-tħassib tagħhom pubblikament fuq il-midja soċjali jew privatament mal-Membri Parlamentari tagħhom – bagħtu messaġġ ċar li l-abbozz oriġinali tal-liġi kien se jdaħħal l-abort f’Malta, u dan ma kienx aċċettabbli għall-poplu ta’ Malta.

Il-Koalizzjoni tikkonkludi li l-emenda kif proposta issa ma tintroduċix l-abort f’Malta iżda se tikkodifika l-prattiki eżistenti tas-salvataġġ li qed jiġu applikati bħalissa f’Malta, u tipprovdi aktar salvagwardji għall-ommijiet, trabi fil-ġuf, u tobba.

l-koalizzjoni tirringrazzja lill-Gvern talli sema’ t-tħassib imqajjem mill-Koalizzjoni li kienet immexxija minn Life Network Foundation, Doctors For Life, u I See Life, appoġġjata mill-President Emeritus Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, ħafna gruppi oħra favur il-ħajja, il- 44 NGO, Gruppi u Assoċjazzjoni, u t-80 grupp espert magħmul minn tobba, mediċi, imħallfin, avukati u etiċi madwar Malta u Għawdex.

Il-Koalizzjoni tirringrazzja wkoll lill-Eċċellenza Tiegħu Il-President ta’ Malta Dr George Vella MD, għad-difiża qawwija tiegħu tal-ħajja u l-appell u l-isforzi tiegħu għal aktar djalogu li ma baqgħux injorati.

Kwotazzjonijiet

Dr Miriam Sciberras, CEO tal-Life Network Foundation qalet:

“Il-vuċi tal-poplu ta’ Malta kienet ċara ħafna: aħna nazzjon favur il-ħajja, li napprezzaw kull ħajja, l-omm li jixirqilha l-akbar protezzjoni tagħna speċjalment meta tkun f’diffikultà, it-tarbija fil-ġuf li llum salvajna, grazzi għal dan il-ġdid. verżjoni tal-leġiżlazzjoni, se nkomplu nagħmlu dan”.

“Din il-verżjoni l-ġdida tal-emenda hija serħan kbir għalina lkoll, sabiex inkunu nistgħu nerġgħu lura għax-xogħol primarju tagħna li ngħinu lill-ommijiet f’sitwazzjoni ta’ kriżi, biex jerġgħu jibnu ħajjithom u nieħdu ħsieb uliedhom”


English Version

The Coalition in favour of Life accomplishes its objective

NO TO ABORTION WINS.

Following the publication of the Government’s revised version of the amendment to the Criminal Code relating to pregnant mothers and unborn babies and that find themselves in life threatening difficulties, the Coalition Inti Tista’ Ssalvani has worked with judges, doctors, lawyers and ethicists to analyse the new draft amendment put forward by Government and come out with its position.

The coalition acknowledges that the Government’s redrafting of the amendment was a direct result of the over 25,000 people who emailed the Prime Minister, Minister of Health, and the MPs of their District, the more than 20,000 people who demonstrated in Valletta and the many individuals that expressed their concerns publicly on social media or privately with their MPs – sending a clear message that the original draft of the law would have introduced abortion to Malta, and this was not acceptable to the people of Malta.

The Coalition concludes that the amendment as now proposed does not introduce abortion to Malta but will codify the existing life-saving practices currently being applied in Malta, and provide further safeguards for mothers, unborn babies, and doctors.

The coalition thanks the Government for having listened to the concerns raised by the Coalition that was led by Life Network Foundation, Doctors For Life, and I see Life, supported by President Emeritus Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, many other pro-life groups, the 44 NGOs, Groups and Associations, and the 80 expert group made up of doctors, medics, judges, lawyers and ethicists across Malta and Gozo.

The Coalition thanks also His Excellency The President of Malta Dr George Vella MD, for his strong defense of life and his appeal and efforts for further dialogue that have not gone unheeded.

Quotes

Dr Miriam Sciberras, CEO of Life Network Foundation said:

“The voice of the people of Malta has been very clear: we are a pro-life nation, valuing every life, the mother that deserves our utmost protection especially when in difficulty, the unborn child that today we have saved, thanks to this new version of the legislation, we will continue to do this”.

“This new version of the amendment is a great relief to all of us, so we can get back to our primary work of helping mothers in crisis situation, with rebuilding their lives and caring for their children”

Links:

Photos
https://www.flickr.com/photos/197084833@N04/albums/72177720304238148

Contact:

info@lifenetwork.eu

Pro-life relief, pro-choice dismay: reactions to changed abortion bill

Revised amendments to Malta’s abortion laws have sparked contrasting reactions

Pro-life activists have welcomed changes made by the government to a proposed amendment to the Criminal Code that will allow for the termination of a pregnancy in select circumstances.

Health Minister Chris Fearne announced the revised wording of amendments on Friday morning.

Read the full article here.

David vs Goliath

‘David vs. Goliath’: Pro-life leader describes strong pressure on Malta to legalize abortion

On this week’s episode of The Van Maren Show, Jonathon speaks with Dr. Miriam Sciberras, leader of the Life Network Foundation Malta, about the outpouring of pro-life support as lawmakers debate a bill to legalize abortion, the domestic and foreign pressure to upend Malta’s culture of life, and why she thinks abortion is the foremost human rights issue of all time.

Read full article.

PRESS RELEASE: COALITION MEETING WITH PRIME MINISTER

For Immediate Release
22nd February 2023

Verzjoni bil-Malti

Illum rappreżentanti tal-Koalizzjoni Inti Tista’ Ssalvani kellhom laqgħa mal-Prim Ministru, id-Deputat Prim Ministru u Ministru tas-Saħħa, il-Ministru tal-Ġustizzja, u s-Segretarju Parlamentari għar-Riformi u l-Ugwaljanza.

Il-Koalizzjoni kienet irrappreżentata minn Dr Miriam Sciberras u Tonio Fenech mill-Fondazzjoni Life Network, Dr Konrad Borg, Dr Daniel Farrugia u s-Dr. Helga Consiglio minn Doctors for Life.

Il-Koalizzjoni ppreżentat it-tħassib tagħha dwar l-Abbozz ippreżentat lill-Parlament u spjegat għaliex fil-forma preżenti tagħha jintroduċi l-abort. Il-koalizzjoni tenniet il-pożizzjoni tagħha kif spjegata fil-websajt www.stopabortiodev.wpenginepowered.com.

Il-koalizzjoni mhix kontra t-titjib tal-liġi attwali biex tipprovdi aktar ċarezza u protezzjoni lit-tobba u n-nisa li jiffaċċjaw kumplikazzjonijiet ta’ theddida għall-ħajja waqt tqala u li jeħtieġu intervent mediku li jista’ jipperikola l-ħajja tat-tarbija.

Il-koalizzjoni tittama li l-Gvern jieħu r-rakkomandazzjonijiet ippreżentati.


English Version

Today representatives of the Coalition Inti Tista’ Ssalvani had a meeting with the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Health, Minister of Justice, and Parliamentary Secretary for Reforms and Equality.

The Coalition was represented by Dr Miriam Sciberras and Tonio Fenech from Life Network Foundation, Dr Konrad Borg, Dr Daniel Farrugia and Mrs Helga Consiglio from Doctors for Life.

The Coalition presented its concerns around the Bill presented to Parliament and explained why in its present form introduces abortion on demand. The coalition reiterated its position as explained fully in the website www.stopabortiodev.wpenginepowered.com.

The coalition is not opposed to improving the current law to provide more clarity and protection to doctors and women who face life-threatening complications during a pregnancy and who need medical intervention that could endanger baby’s life.

The coalition is hopeful that the Government will be receptive to its position.

Links:

www.stopabortiodev.wpenginepowered.com

Photos:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1vvjUOGiSjuUwKNouIM30tqAy755sM4N0?usp=sharing

Contact:

info@lifenetwork.eu

With whom is the Government consulting?

18/2/ 2023  

Statement issued by the Coalition Int Tista Ssalvani: With whom is the Government consulting?

The Coalition Int Tista’ Ssalvani and the Group of 80 Experts and supported actively by over 25,000 petitioners, are being ignored.

According to media reports of comments made by the Minister for Health yesterday, Government will be holding meetings on the abortion bill with a “wide array” of stakeholders till next week or the following.

The PM has also been quoted as saying that Government will meet with everyone to understand the main concerns and fears presented by the amendment and to understand any concerns about how it can be abused.

The Inti Tista’ Ssalvani coalition wrote to the Prime Minister on 1st December 2022 to ask for “an urgent meeting”, but is yet to receive a reply.

Read full press release here.

PRESS RELEASE: WITH WHOM IS THE GOVERNMENT CONSULTING?

For Immediate Release
18th February 2023

Statement issued by the Coalition Int Tista Ssalvani led by the Life Network Foundation, Doctors for Life and I See Life; and 44 NGOs, Organisations, Groups and Associations together with the Former President of the Republic Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca and Mr Edgar Preca and the Group of 80 Experts.


Verżjoni bil-Malti

Ma’ min qed jikkonsulta l-Gvern?

Il-Koalizzjoni Int Tista’ Ssalvani u l-Grupp ta’ 80 Espert appoġġjati b’mod attiv minn aktar minn 25,000 petizzjonant, qed jiġu njorati.

Skont rapporti fil-midja ta’ kummenti li għamel il-Ministru tas-Saħħa lbieraħ, il-Gvern se jkollu laqgħat dwar l-abbozz ta’ liġi dwar l-abort ma’ “firxa wiesgħa” ta’ stakeholders sal-ġimgħa d-dieħla jew ta’ wara.   

Il-Prim Ministru ġie kkwotat jgħid ukoll li l-Gvern se jiltaqa’ ma’ kulħadd biex jifhem it-tħassib u l-biżgħat ewlenin ippreżentati mill-emenda u jifhem kull tħassib dwar kif jista’ jiġi abbużat.

Il-koalizzjoni Inti Tista’ Ssalvani kitbet lill-Prim Ministru fl-1 ta’ Diċembru 2022 biex titlob “laqgħa urġenti”, iżda il-koalizzjoni għad trid tirċievi tweġiba.

Il-Koalizzjoni u l-Grupp ta’ 80 Espert iħeġġu lill-Gvern biex ġenwinament jikkonsulta filwaqt li jżomm mal-wegħda tiegħu li ma jintroduċix l-abort.   Sal-lum jidher li l-Gvern irid jisma’ biss il-lobby favur l-abort, filwaqt li jinjora kompletament il-Koalizzjoni Int Tista Isalvani u l-Grupp ta’ 80 Espert appoġġjat minn aktar minn 25,000 petizzjonant.

Dr Miriam Sciberras Chairperson tal-Koalizzjoni tgħid “Aħna nifhmu li “kulħadd” ifisser aħna ukoll, u għalhekk nistennew li niġu ukoll ikkonsultati mill-Gvern”. 

Hija ħasra li l-Ministru Fearne għażel li jpinġi t-tħassib ġenwin u razzjonali ta’ tant Maltin bħala ‘hype and frenzy’ sempliċiment għax ma joqogħdux fuq il-kelma tiegħu. Għandu jagħraf li l-proposta attwali għandha periklu inerenti u potenzjali li tiġi abbużata u li sempliċement bidliet kożmetiċi u l-kliem ieħor biex iserraħ l-moħħ min-naħa tiegħu ftit li xejn ibiddlu dan.

Il-Koalizzjoni u l-Grupp ta’ esperti huma impenjati li jippreżentaw proposti li jiżguraw il-protezzjoni tal-ommijiet f’sitwazzjonijiet ta’ theddida għall-ħajja. Dan filwaqt li jiżguraw li l-ħajja tat-trabi mhux imwielda tkun protetta mir-riskju ta’ terminazzjoni għal kwalunkwe raġuni mhux ġustifikata taħt it-terminu wiesgħa tal-kelma “saħħa”.  Dan ikun sempliċement abort fuq talba.


English Version

With whom is the Government consulting?

The Coalition Int Tista’ Ssalvani and the Group of 80 Experts and supported actively by over 25,000 petitioners, are being ignored.

According to media reports of comments made by the Minister for Health yesterday, Government will be holding meetings on the abortion bill with a “wide array” of stakeholders till next week or the following.   

The PM has also been quoted as saying that Government will meet with everyone to understand the main concerns and fears presented by the amendment and to understand any concerns about how it can be abused.

The Inti Tista’ Ssalvani coalition wrote to the Prime Minister on 1st December 2022 to ask for “an urgent meeting”, but is yet to receive a reply.

The Coalition and the Group of 80 Experts urge the Government to genuinely consult while sticking to its promises not to introduce abortion.   To date it appears that Government is only wanting to listen to the pro-abortion lobby, whilst ignoring completely the Coalition Int Tista’ Ssalvani and the Group of 80 Experts supported by over 25,000 petitioners.

Dr Miriam Sciberras Chairperson of the Coalition states “We understand everyone to mean also us, and we therefore expect an invitation from Government to be consulted”. 

It is unfortunate that Minister Fearne chose to portray the genuine and rational concerns of so many Maltese as ‘hype and frenzy’ simply because they don’t take him blindly at his word and recognize that the current proposal has inherent and potential danger to be abused and that cosmetic changes and reassurances on his part do little to change that.

The Coalition and the Group of experts are committed to present proposals that ensure the protection of mothers in life threatening situations whilst ensuring that the lives of unborn babies are protected from the risk of termination for any unjustified reason covered by the term ‘health’, as this would simply be abortion on demand.

The endorsing NGOs, Organisations, Groups and Associations

Life Network Foundation – chairman@lifenetwork.eu

Doctors for Life – doctorsforlifemalta@gmail.com

I See Life  – iseelife.mt@gmail.com

The Former President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca & Edgar Preca, the Augustinian Youths, Azzjoni Kattolika, Caritas Malta, Catholic Charismatic Renewal, Catholic Voices Malta, Church Schools Association (CSA), Christian Life Community (CLC) Malta, Dar Merhba Bik, Eucharistic Youth Movement Malta, Fondazzjoni Sebħ, Forum tal-Ghaqdiet u Movimenti Kattolici tal-Lajci, Gozo Aid for the Visually Impaired, Gozo Association for the Deaf, Great Oak Malta Association, Kamra ta’ L-Ispizjara ta’ Malta, Knisja Evangelika Battista, Kummissjoni Gustizzja u Paci, Legion of Mary, Malta Catholic Youth Network, Malta House of Prayer, Malta Unborn Child Platform, Maltese Jesuit Community, MFOPD, Mission Fund, Moviment ta’ Cana, Muscular Dystrophy Group Malta, National Council for Women, National Parents Society of Persons with Disability (NPSPD), New Humanity Movement, Malta (Focolare Movement, Malta), Pietre Vive, Salesians of Don Bosco , Secretariat for Catholic Education, Segretarjat Assistenza Socjali (AKM), Socjeta M.U.S.E.U.M Nisa, Socjeta M.U.S.E.U.M Rġiel, Sovereign Order of Malta, St Jeanne Antide Foundation, The Evangelical Alliance of Malta, Trinity Evangelical Church, Youths for Christ, Żgħażagħ Azzjoni Kattolika (ŻAK).

Photos:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/197084833@N04

Contact:
info@lifenetwork.eu

PRESS RELEASE: CENSORSHIP OF THE PRESIDENT OF MALTA WHEN SPEAKING AGAINST ABORTION.

For Immediate Release

28th January 2023

Ċensura mill-PBS fuq il-President ta’ Malta meta jitkellem kontra l-abort.

Il-Life Network Foundation, Doctors for Life u I See Life, f’isem l-koalizzjoni Inti Tista’ Ssalvani, li qed tmexxi l-kampanja kontra l-introduzzjoni tal-abort f’Malta, kitbu lill-PBS u lill-Awtorità tax-Xandir skond l-Att dwar ix-Xandir.  Il-koalizzjoni qed tilmenta fuq iċ-ċensura li saret mill-PBS, fis-servizz tal-aħbarijiet li deher fuq TVM nhar is-26 ta’ Jannar 2023, dwar dak li qal l-Eċċellenza Tiegħu l-President tar-Repubblika ta’ Malta fil-kommemorazzjoni tal-Olokawst.

Il-kamra tal-aħbarijiet tal-PBS iddeċidiet li tirraporta kull ma qal il-President f’din l-attivita’ apparti dak li qal fuq l-abort.   Il-President qal waqt din l-attivita’ li “miljuni ta’ trabi mhux imwielda qed jinqatlu qabel biss ikollhom il-possibbiltà li jaraw id-dawl tal-jum”. Dan l-istatement qawwi minn naħa tal-President kien jimmerita attenzjoni u l-fatt li l-PBS iddeċieda li ma jirraportax dan, partikolarment fiċ-ċirkustanzi preżenti huwa attentat ta’ ċensura fuq il-President.

Dan mhux l-ewwel kaz fejn il-Kamra tal-aħbarijiet tal-PBS għażlet li tkun selettiva u tiċċensura r-rapportaġġ tagħha. Hekk sar ukoll fil-każ tas-Sinjura Prudente fejn il-kamra tal-aħbarijiet tal-PBS iċċensurat għal kollox dak li qalu t-tobba.

Dan kollu huwa bi ksur tal-provediment ċar tal-Kostituzzjoni ta’ Malta apparti mill-provedimenti fil-liġi tax-Xandir li jestendu dan l-obbligu direttament fuq ix-xandir pubbliku u li jimponu fuqu l-obbligu li jħares li s-servizzi tal-aħbarijiet tiegħu jkunu oġġettivi u komprensivi. Dan ma jistax isir jekk ix-xandar pubbliku flok ma jservi ta’ strument tal-għoti tal-informazzjoni kollha li għandu dritt għaliha l-poplu, jkun strument ta’ ċensura.

Għal dawn ir-raġunijiet, qed nitolbu li jkun irrapurtat bla ċensura dak li qal l-Eċċellenza Tiegħu, il-President ta’ Malta, it-tabib Dr George Vella. Kopja tal-ilment intbagħat lill-Awtorità tax-Xandir skond l-Kodiċi għall-Investigazzjoni u għad-Determinazzjoni ta’ Ilmenti (Leġislazzjoni Sussidjarja 350.06).

English


PBS censorship of the President of Malta when speaking against abortion.

Life Network FoundationDoctors for Life and I See Life, on behalf of the Inti Tista’ Ssalvani coalition, the leading campaign against the introduction of abortion in Malta, wrote to PBS and the Broadcasting Authority in regard to the Broadcasting Act. The coalition is complaining about the censorship carried out by PBS, in the news service that appeared on TVM on 26th January 2023, about what His Excellency The President of the Republic of Malta said in commemoration of the Holocaust.

The PBS newsroom decided to report everything the President said apart from what he said about abortion. The President said during this engagement that “millions of unborn babies are being killed before they even have the possibility to see the light of day”.

This strong statement from the President deserved attention and the fact that PBS decided not to report this, particularly in the present circumstances is an attempt to censor the President.

This is not the first case where the PBS newsroom has chosen to be selective and censor its reporting. This was also done in the case of Ms. Prudente where PBS newsroom completely censored what the doctors said.

All this is in violation of the clear provision of the Constitution of Malta as well as the provisions in the Broadcasting law which extend this obligation directly to the public broadcaster and which impose on it the obligation to ensure that the services of its news are objective and comprehensive. This cannot be done if the public broadcaster, instead of serving as an instrument to provide all the information to which the people have a right, is an instrument of censorship.

For these reasons, we are asking that what His Excellency The President of Malta, Dr. George Vella said, be reported without censorship.

A copy of the complaint was sent to the Broadcasting Authority in accordance with the Code for the Investigation and Determination of Complaints (Subsidiary Legislation 350.06).

Contact:
chairman@lifenetwork.eu
info@lifenetwork.eu
+356 9944 6174

PBS censorship of the President of Malta when speaking against abortion

28/1/ 2023 

PBS censorship of the President of Malta when speaking against abortion.

Life Network Foundation, Doctors for Life and I See Life, on behalf of the Inti Tista’ Ssalvani coalition, the leading campaign against the introduction of abortion in Malta, wrote to PBS and the Broadcasting Authority in regard to the Broadcasting Act. The coalition is complaining about the censorship carried out by PBS, in the news service that appeared on TVM on 26th January 2023, about what His Excellency The President of the Republic of Malta said in commemoration of the Holocaust.

Read full press release here.