158 Maltese Academics Endorse Abortion Law Amendment, Supporting Serious Mental Health Cases
158 Maltese academics have signed a statement that endorses the recent abortion law amendment and supports access to the procedure in the case of “serious mental health issues”.
The statement was presented by an amalgamation of academics with diverse expertise, political values, and religious views and it was presented to all of Malta’s members of parliament.
“We support the fundamental right to access medical care, including for serious mental health issues,” the statement reads.
However, they clarified that they do not support full decriminalisation but rather, they endorse the current amendment.
“We are aware that international health organisations, human rights bodies, and the European Parliament recognise that abortion must be legal and accessible, especially in certain instances,” the summary of the statement reads.
“We therefore respectfully believe that the law in Malta must change to allow doctors to intervene when dangerous complications threaten the lives or health of pregnant women without the risk of a four-year prison term and loss of their medical license.”
The statement further explains that the existing legislation hasn’t changed since 1874, thus implying archaic terminology that doesn’t reflect modern life.
Moreover, academics support the bill as it currently stands which will allow doctors to intervene when dangerous complications threaten the lives or health of pregnant women.
When given consent by the patient, doctors will be able to intervene without the chilling effect of a possible four-year prison term and loss of their medical license.
“We are saddened that the issue has become polarised and call for a mature national discussion to accompany the introduction of the law.”
What do you make of their statement?
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