EU Parliament Votes To Add Right To Abortion As A Fundamental Right – Here’s How The Maltese MEPs Voted
Maltese MEPs David Casa, Josianne Cutajar, and Alex Agius Saliba have voted against a European Parliament resolution looking to add the right to safe and legal abortion to the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Earlier today, MEPs called for the European Council to incorporate the rights to sexual and reproductive healthcare and the right to safe and legal abortion into the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.
PN MEP Casa and PL MEPs Cutajar and Alex Agius Saliba voted against both. Meanwhile, EP President Roberta Metsola doesn’t vote on any subject. Alfred Sant from the PL camp was the only MEP to abstain.
Cyrus Engerer was not present in Brussels to cast his vote. However, he co-signed the vote and expressed his pride in being selected to negotiate the resolution. In a social media post, the PL MEP expressed his belief that the charter should encompass protection for women.
The resolution adopted in the European Parliament earlier today, with 336 votes in favour, 163 against, and 39 abstentions, urges Malta and Poland to decriminalise abortion in line with the 2022 WHO guidelines and address any barriers to the medical procedure.
Malta and Poland are the sole two EU countries to ban abortion presently.
According to a statement from the European Parliament, MEPs advocate for an amendment to Article 3 of the Charter, asserting that “everyone has the right to bodily autonomy, to free, informed, full and universal access to SRHR, and to all related healthcare services without discrimination, including access to safe and legal abortion”.
This action was co-financed by the European Union in the frame of the European Parliament’s grant programme in the field of communication. The European Parliament was not involved in its preparation and is, in no case, responsible for or bound by the information or opinions expressed in the context of this action. In accordance with applicable law, the authors, interviewed people, publishers or programme broadcasters are solely responsible. The European Parliament can also not be held liable for direct or indirect damage that may result from the implementation of the action.
How do you feel about the Maltese MEPs’ votes? Do you think abortion should be a Fundamental Right?
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