Category: Uncategorized

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

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

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

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 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 26^th 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

For Immediate Release

5th January 2023

Pro Life groups reject Minister Chris Fearne’s verbal clarification regarding Abortion Amendment.  The Inti Tista’ Ssalvani coalition led by the Life Network Foundation, Doctors for Life and I See Life reject the Health Minister’s comments reported in the media yesterday.

Minister Chris Fearne stated that the wording of the amendment will be changed to shut down concerns that abortion will be legalised. Minster Fearn stated “We will clarify that if a child can be born and live independently, that child should be protected, be birthed and live,” implying that the Government will introduce a viability criteria, which is usually 24 weeks (about 5 and a half months) from conception.

This change to the amendment seems to highlight that the Government wishes to legalise abortion up to 24 weeks (about 5 and a half months), while only leaving late term abortions illegal.

The Government has no mandate to legislate for abortion, yet what the Government seems to be proposing would allow, for instance, the abortion of a five month old unborn child for reasons “that could” put the life of the mother “at risk or her health in grave jeopardy.”

The definition of the word “health” is extremely wide according to World Health Organisation (WHO) this includes includes “physical health”, “mental health” and “social wellbeing”.

With this addition the amendment is looking even more similar to the United Kingdom Abortion Act 1967, that has allowed for over 10 million abortion, 98% of which are for reasons of “mental health”.

The coalition urges the Government to provide the necessary clarity in the text of the amendment such that any medical intervention allowed to safeguard the mother clearly excludes the direct and intended harm to the child in the womb. The Inti Tista’ Ssalvani coalition is still waiting for a response from the Prime Minister to have a meeting regarding this amendment.

Quotes

Dr Miriam Sciberras:

“If this amendment is made law Malta will have a more extreme abortion law than most EU countries”.

“It is becoming very clear that the Government wishes to introduce abortion without having a mandate to do so. This is neither justifiable nor acceptable and shows a total disregard of the value of life in the womb. We ask the Government to reconsider this as it is not what the people of Malta have voted for”.

Links:

World Health Organisation (WHO) Definition of Health:
https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/major-themes/health-and-well-being#:~:text=The%20WHO%20constitution%20states%3A%20%22Health,of%20mental%20disorders%20or%20disabilities

Contact:
info@lifenetwork.eu

For Immediate Release
7th December 2022

Following the protest on Sunday against the Government’s abortion bill, people gathered again, this time outside Parliament to maintain pressure and highlight to Government that abortion is not the will of the people of Malta.

The crowd that filled the square in-front of Parliament lit candles as a gesture of solidarity towards the babies that will be put at risk with the introduction of abortion in Malta.

This was another initiative of the Inti Tista Ssalvani campaign driven by the coalition of for Life made up of the Life Network Foundation, Doctors for Life and I See Life, urging the Government to abandon its plans to introduce abortion.

The petition www.stopabortiodev.wpenginepowered.com has already gathered over 25,000 signatures, urging the Government to reconsider the clause it has presented in Parliament and take on board the Expert Clause and proposals made by the multi-disciplinary group of 81 doctors, lawyers, ethicists and academics, also supported by 44 organizations, 450 doctors and thousands of citizens.

The giant image of a baby was laid out in Freedom Square, with supporters laying candles as MPs passed by.

The Coalition urges again the Government to listen to the will of the people of Malta and Gozo, to keep to its word and mandate and ensure that any changes while protecting mothers in difficulties, babies and doctors, do not legalise abortion.

Life Network Foundation still awaits a reply from the Prime Minster to their letter sent on the 1st December 2022 requesting a meeting dialogue with Government.

Quotes

Dr Miriam Sciberras, Chairman of Life Network Foundation said:

“The Bill in its current form will allow abortion on demand to take place in Malta.”

“The Government while justifying the changes as needed to protect mothers and doctors, have today any legitimacy to continue with the changes when doctors represented by MAM, psychiatrists represented by their Association and nurses and midwives represents by MUMN have expressed serious concern with the legislation proposed, as the legislation adds more uncertainty and cause for concern then protection.  

Government has no mandate to bring in abortion, as the Prime Minister confirmed that this is not included in the Labour Party Electoral Manifesto, and that he is personally against abortion “in all circumstances”” 

“We appeal to the Prime Minister and Minister of Heath. There is no urgency, we call for dialogue with the Government over this issue”

Links:

Photos:https://www.flickr.com/photos/197084833@N04/albums/72177720304944067

Contact:

info@lifenetwork.eu

For immediate release
6th December 2022

MALTA: 20,000 people take to the streets to support pro-life laws as Government tables bill to introduce abortion.

20,000 people (4%of the population) have taken to the streets and more than 24,000 people have signed a petition urging the Government of Malta to abandon the bill it has presented to Parliament in favour of an alternative amendment clause that was written by 81 leaders and academics in medicine, law and ethics.

Malta’s current laws protect the right to life of the unborn child, as well and ensuring mothers are provided with all the medical care they need, resulting in zero maternal mortalities in the last 10 years. Malta’s doctors are protected by the law in cases when their actions result in the death of the unborn child, when they are acting to save the life of a mother.

Malta’s main pro-life group, Life Network Foundation, has condemned the Government abortion Bill, which, if passed, will allow abortion to take place in Malta for non-life threatening reasons, and in doing so has joined a group of 81 academics, 450 doctors, 44 institutions, the Medical Association of Malta, and Maltese Association of Psychiatry all of whom are against the introduction of the Government’s Bill.

In the Expert Position Paper, some of Malta’s leading medics, lawyers, ethicists, and academics have proposed a change to the wording of the Bill that would ensure that it is limited to codifying into law the current practice in Malta, that if the ending of a life of an unborn child is the unfortunate result of life saving medical intervention for the mother, then no crime is committed.  This proposal ensures against the unintentional introduction of abortion to Malta.

The Government’s wording of the Bill goes much further than simply codifying current practice into law. Instead, the proposed amendment includes legalising abortion to protect the health of a pregnant woman who has medical complications that “could” put her “health in serious jeopardy”. 

This health provision in the Bill is very similar to the health provisions that have been used in abortion legislation in the UK and abortion legislation in Australia, New Zealand, and many other countries. In these countries, these health provisions have allowed for widespread abortion on demand.  Statistics from the UK The vast majority of the over ten million abortions that have happened in the UK since the Abortion Act was introduced in 1967 have been allowed under this same ‘health’ clause in the law.

Life Network Foundation supports the suggested wording of the bill proposed in the Expert Position Paper, as this protects babies, mothers, and doctors, but does not allow for abortion on demand:

Expert proposal in English:

No crime is committed under article 241(2) or article 243 when the death or bodily harm of an unborn child results from a medical intervention conducted with the aim of saving the life of the mother where there is a real and substantial risk of loss of the mother’s life from a physical illness.

Quotes:

Dr Miriam Sciberras, Chairman of Life Network Foundation said:

“The Bill in its current form would allow abortion on demand to take place in Malta.”

“If the Bill becomes law, Malta will go from being the only country in Europe with full protection for the unborn child to legalising abortion.”

“We are calling on the Government to urgently change the wording of the Bill to adopt the recommended changes outlined in the Expert position paper by leading medics, lawyers, ethicists, and academics.”

Notes:

Life Network Foundation(LNF) runs three units working in support, education and advocacy. LNF also manages a helpline for women who need support and runs a home for women in a crisis pregnancy situation who have nowhere to go.

Life Network Foundation is running the campaign “Inti Tista Ssalvani”, which translates as “You Can Save Me”

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
6th December 2022

ENGLISH

The Life Network Foundation, Doctors for Life and I See Life, as part of the You Can Save me coalition, request a meeting with the Prime Minister

The Life Network Foundation, Doctors for Life and I See Life, as the Int Tista Ssalvani coalition, which is leading the campaign against the introduction of Abortion in Malta, noted the Prime Minister’s comments to the media yesterday the 5th of December 2022, where he affirmed that he is ready to dialogue and listen to everyone.

The three organisations, wish to draw the attention of the Prime Minister who on 1 December 2022 sent a request for a meeting with him, which letter is being attached to this statement, to discuss the concerns of many as expressed last Sunday in the public demonstration which was attended by more than 20,000 thousand individuals and the stopabortiodev.wpenginepowered.com petition which is now close to 25,000 signatories.

The Life Network Foundation, Doctors for Life and I See Life as the coalition that is leading the campaign against the introduction of Abortion in Malta has not yet received an invitation for a meeting.

Dr. Miriam Sciberras
Chairperson, Life Network Foundation

MALTI

Il-Life Network Foundation, Doctors for Life u I See Life,  bħala l-koalizzjoni Int Tista’ Ssalvani jitolbu laqgħa mal-Prim Ministru  

Il-Life Network Foundation, Doctors for Life u I See Life, bħala l-koalizzjoni Int Tista’ Ssalvani,  li qed tmexxi l-kampanja kontra l-introduzzjoni tal-Abort f’Malta, innotaw il-kummenti tal Prim Ministru lill-midja ilbieraħ il-5 ta’ Diċembru 2022, fejn afferma li lest jiddjaloga u jisma’ lil kullħadd.  

It-tlett organizzazzjonijiet, jixtiequ jiġbdu l-attenzjoni tal-Prim Ministru li fl-1 ta’ Diċembru 2022 bagħtu talba għal laqgħa miegħu, liema ittra qed tiġi annessa ma’ din l-istqarrija, biex jiddiskutu t-tħassib ta’ bosta kif espress nhar il-Ħadd li għadda fil-manifestazzjoni pubblika li  għaliha attendew aktar minn 20,000 elf individwu u l-petizzjoni stopabortiodev.wpenginepowered.com li issa hija qrib  il-25,000 firmatarju.  

Il-Life Network Foundation, Doctors for Life u I See Life bħala l-koalizzjoni li qed tmexxi l kampanja kontra l-introduzzjoni tal-Abort f’Malta sal-llum għada ma’ rċevietx stedina għal laqgħa. 

Dr. Miriam Sciberras 
Chairperson, Life Network Foundation

For Immediate Release

29th November 2022

44 NGOs, Organisations, Groups and Associations together with Former President of the Republic Marie Louise Coleiro Preca
endorse the Group of 80 Experts Proposal.

Appeal to Government to redraft the amendment tabled in Parliament to articles 241 and 243 of the Criminal Code, and not open the open the door for the introduction of abortion.

We the hereunder NGOs, Organisations, Groups, and Associations, together with Former President of the Republic Marie Louise Coleiro Preca and her husband Edgar Preca have come together to appeal to Government to take note of the concerns raised by the Group of 80 Experts and the public at large and accept to redraft the amendment to articles 241 and 243 of the Criminal Code presented in Parliament, and which as proposed, opens the door for the introduction of abortion be replaced with the proposed amendment presented by the Group of 80 Experts.

The Group of 80 Experts concluded that the amendment put forward by the Government opens the door for legal abortion in our country as it does not only speak of instances where the woman is at risk of dying but opens the door to other health related instances that do not put the life of the mother at risk of dying. This goes beyond the declared intention of Government when presenting this amendment, and the 30 organisations remind Government that as confirmed by the Prime Minister, the Government does not have a mandate to introduce Abortion in Malta.

The Group of 80 inter-disciplinary experts in clinical medicine, gynaecology and obstetrics, health sciences, midwifery, law, psychology, well-being, social policy, family studies, philosophy, ethics and theology provided an alternative amendment that ensures that the law complies with the dignity of the human person and the human rights deriving therefrom, in particular, the fundamental right to life of the woman and the unborn child, and the right to legal certainty, in relation to the situation where a pregnant woman’s life is in manifest danger of death or where a real and substantial risk to her life exists from a physical illness.

We therefore endorse the proposed clause and appeal to the Government to adopt this version in Parliament:
No crime is committed under article 241(2) or article 243 when the death or bodily harm of an unborn child results from a medical intervention conducted with the aim of saving the life of the mother where there is a real and substantial risk of loss of the mother’s life from a physical illness.

The endorsing NGOs, Organisations, Groups and Associations:The Former President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca & Edgar Preca
Augustinian Youths
Azzjoni Kattolika
Caritas Malta
Catholic Charistmatic Renewal
Catholic Voices Malta
Church Schools Assocation (CSA)
Christian Life Community (CLC) Malta
Dar Merhba Bik
Doctors for Life
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
I See Life
Kamra ta’ L-Ispizjara ta’ Malta
Knisja Evangelika Battista
Kummissjoni Gustizzja u Paci
Legion of Mary
Life Network Foundation
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)

For Immediate Release
23rd November 2022

Comments following the Press Conference held by the Minister of Health on Wednesday 16th November 2022.

Life Network Foundation Malta refutes the Deputy Prime Minister’s statement that doctors and mothers in Malta are at risk of prosecution. In fact, no prosecutions have ever been brought against doctors or obstetricians who acted to save a mother’s life. With the existing law, the medical procedures in Malta ensure every attempt is made to save the life of the mother and preborn child. The codification of this principle may set minds at rest, however, any amendments proposed should not be used to open the way to abortion.

Life Network notes that Malta has a phenomenal record in maternal care, with zero maternal mortalities in the last 10 years, and as such, the system that Malta has in place is an excellent one, in which pregnant women and their babies are both protected and cared for. 

The Bill presented in Parliament exceeds the remit of intent, as described by the honourable Minister, so much so, that mainstream media, both locally and internationally, have described this bill as effectively introducing abortion. 

The vague “health” provision in the Bill is very similar to provisions that have been used in abortion legislation in the UK and past abortion legislation in Australia, New Zealand, and many other countries. In these countries, such vague health provisions have allowed for abortion on demand.   

Statistics from the UK Government’s Department for Health and Social Care show that the vast majority of the over ten million abortions that have happened in the UK since the Abortion Act was introduced in 1967 have been allowed under the ‘health’ clause in the law. 
 
The Prudente case is currently being heard and one questions if it is wise to imply, at this stage, that the law in Malta needs to be changed, especially as this may have implications on the outcome of the case. Nonetheless, the finest legal minds are currently doing their best to defend our laws that have stood the test of time. The government should show prudence in this respect.

If the Government is seriously intent on enshrining into our legislation the practices that are today already administered by our medical professionals, then we urge the Minister to consider the proposed amendment of the leading medics, lawyers, ethicists, and academics in Malta who have studied the implications of the Governments’ proposals and constructively provided a legal text that provides the sought-after legal certainty.

Life Network wishes to remind the Government that while it does have a mandate to govern, it does not have a mandate to bring abortion into Malta in any way.