Malta’s progressive and pro-abortion party, Volt, has once again called for the legalisation and decriminalisation of abortion in Malta.

The party urged Health Minister Chris Fearne to submit empathetic and ambitious amendments to Malta’s abortion laws, which currently stand to imprison women that make use of what is considered to be healthcare in other countries. 

‘‘Hundreds of people in Malta have abortions every year; those who can afford it have it abroad and those who can’t, either order pills discreetly or resort to unsafe solutions,” said Alexia DeBono, Co-President and former candidate.

‘‘The first obvious solution is to decriminalise abortion’’ adds Arnas Lasys, Co-President of Volt Malta, ‘‘abortion doesn’t belong in the criminal code, it’s a matter of healthcare’’.

The party then urged Malta to legalise abortive pills, in other words, legalising medication abortions. This procedure simply involves the consumption of two pills, mifepristone followed by misoprostol. These can be safely taken in the first trimester.

Volt Malta reiterated the importance of decriminalisation – no one should be forced to carry a pregnancy to term, and the right to bodily autonomy must be respected.

Furthermore, Prudente’s non-viable, potentially life-threatening pregnancy situation isn’t the only one to have ever happened, and it won’t be the last unless the law is amended, the party continued. 

“The stories of many locals go unheard and they don’t have the benefit of being airlifted to another country to have the procedure.”

‘‘The broad majority of Malta’s population doesn’t want to imprison those who have abortions, and any cosmetic change to the law won’t placate the movement for serious reform, Minister  Chris Fearne must step up to the occasion,’’ added Matthias Portelli, Volt Malta’s Policy Lead.

On 25th September, Volt Malta joined the pro-choice rally which was organised by the Voice For Choice coalition.

What do you make of Volt Malta’s call?