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Franco Debono Backs Proposition For Referendum On Malta’s New Abortion Law

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With Malta starting to make some progress with the new abortion bill being discussed, lawyer Franco Debono has now given his input on the matter.

”The government made a chess move when presenting the amendment however now scored six auto goals when it’s insisting that the amendment includes the termination of a pregnancy due to reasons of mental health,” Debono stated.

“If the government continues to be stubborn, the only option left would be that of a referendum,” he continued.

”From the information I have, the discussion looked something like this: George Vella: ‘this time I’m not traveling abroad like last time.’ Robert Abela: ‘Do whatever you want. You can resign if you want to.’ Well, something like that,” Debono said in another social media post.

Malta’s parliament is currently discussing whether doctors can abort the fetus in the case that the mother’s life or health is at risk.

The vagueness of the bill is worrying some because health can also include mental health, and they are stating that this can lead to the abuse of the bill.

As in any debate, many have expressed their concern with the “vagueness” of the bill, with former PN MP Jason Azzopardi proposing to have an abrogative referendum.

“I think we should start discussing whether an abrogative referendum should be held if the bill passes without any amendments to safeguard against abuse, with people using mental health as an excuse to get an abortion nine months into their pregnancy. Do you agree?” Azzopardi stated.

An abrogative referendum would be held to revoke a specific law if signed by more than 10% of the electorate.

Arguments being made also bring up the discussion of mental health not being taken as seriously as physical health is taken.

In fact, the Maltese Association of Psychiatry (MAP) has raised concern over the separation of mental and physical health in this ongoing debate. 

”We would like to clarify that mental disorders are among the most prevalent, distressing, and devastating of all illnesses, and people suffering from them should not have their experiences trivialised. However, mental illness, in this day and age is also largely treatable.

“Mental illness should not be considered in isolation during such a serious debate. And mental illness should not be considered separately from other illnesses, that is to say: if the criteria for termination are to be considered the threat of loss of maternal life, then that should equally be the standard for psychiatric illness.”

Do you agree with the bill in progress? Or do you think a referendum should be held?

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Kira is an open-minded person who loves anything creative and anything… words. A theatre kid at heart, with a passion for film, activism, and literature. Contact her on Instagram via @kira_markss or email her on [email protected]

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