Check your political party’s position on abortion and euthanasia

 

All Answers published have been officially provided by the political parties contesting the 2022 election.

Pro Life Answer

Neutral Answer

Pro Abortion/Pro Euthanasia Answer

Abortion

If elected is the Partit Laburista going to introduce abortion in Malta?

Abortion is not included in the PL’s electoral manifesto. The Prime Minister’s position on the subject has been made very clear in a press release issued by the Partit Laburista in May 2021 and remains consistent.

Which “sexual and reproductive health and rights” is the Partit Laburista referring to (manifesto art. 506), that are not already legal in Malta?

The existing sexual health policy was published in 2011 and there is broad consensus that its contents are outdated. Priority actions, stakeholders and the care services need to be updated in a new policy.

Euthanasia

The Partit Laburista manifesto (art 654) calls for a national discussion on the introduction of euthanasia. This suggests a policy in favour of euthanasia. Is the Partit Laburista in favour of, neutral or against euthanasia?

PL is giving a guarantee of the best possible palliative care. The electoral manifesto proposes a national discussion on voluntary euthanasia for persons suffering from terminal illnesses. There are different views on the matter within the party. PL believes that the discussion on such a sensitive topic should not be led by politicians.

Abortion

If elected, is the Partit Nazzjonalista going to introduce abortion in Malta?

No, the Partit Nazzjonalista was and is steadfastly in favour of life from conception.

Euthanasia

If elected, is the Partit Nazzjonalista going to introduce euthanasia in Malta?

No, the Partit Nazzjonalista was and is steadfastly in favour of life until natural death.

Abortion

Is ADPD opposed to abortion?

Awaiting reply.

ADPD has not provided an answer to this question, but simply directed us to page 68 of the ADPD Party manifesto which has a section on abortion.

Euthanasia

Is APDP opposed to euthanasia?

Awaiting reply.

ADPD has not provided an answer to this question, but simply directed us to page 84 of the ADPD Party manifesto which has a section on “It-testment bijoloġiku” (Living Will).   A Living Will is distinct from euthanasia.

Abortion

Is ABBA opposed to abortion?

Abortion is the evil reverse-image of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Instead of “I”ll die for you,” it says, “You die for me.” ABBA condemns abortion, and believes that there is no circumstance that could possibly justify the abomination of the shedding of innocent blood. Every conceived and fertilised life has equal worth and dignity, and contains complex biological identity.

ABBA pledges that our first bill will be to amend Article 33 in the Maltese Constitution to “No person shall from conception be intentionally deprived of his life…” thereby guaranteeing that the wish of the Maltese people is honoured and that abortion is not legalised in Malta.

Euthanasia

Is ABBA opposed to euthanasia?

We believe human life is uniquely valuable and sacred since all people are created in the image of God. People who are suffering and near the end of life should be cared for properly and not put under any pressure to end their lives.

Legalising euthanasia or assisted suicide is unnecessary, dangerous, and wrong.

  • UNNECESSARY because alternative treatments are available. Good palliative care should be available for all. Killing is not care – it is not kinder to kill than to care.
  • DANGEROUS because when people are ill, they are vulnerable and can easily be pressured to making decisions that they may later regret. Society should protect the weak and vulnerable, rather than allowing them to be killed.
  • WRONG because it devalues human life which is sacred. All historical codes of ethics have agreed that euthanasia is wrong. Disability organisations consistently oppose assisted suicide and euthanasia.

Abortion

Is Volt Malta opposed to abortion?

Awaiting reply.

Euthanasia

Is Volt Malta opposed to euthanasia?

Awaiting reply.

Notes

Abortion

From Manifesto:
➢ Decriminalise Abortion. Neither the person having an abortion, nor any doctor involved should be criminalised. Abortion should be a health policy issue, not criminal.

○ Legalise Medical Abortions up to the first trimester (12 weeks). Medical abortions account for a growing share of how abortions are done in many countries. It involves the use of 2 types of pills; Mifepristone & Misoprostol.
■ Accessible & free through telemedicine, public & private healthcare facilities.
● Aim to ensure the process is as anonymous as possible.
■ Classify Mifepristone & Misoprostol as an essential medicine. To ensure there is always accessibility at the national level.
■ If for health reasons the individual is unable to have a medical abortion, then give the choice for a surgical one.

➢ Legalise Surgical Abortions in exceptional circumstances, even at a later stage in the event of a/an;
○ unsuccessful medical abortion;
○ a non-viable foetus;

○ pregnancy endangering the pregnant person’s life;
○ pregnancy has a significantly negative effect on the mental health of the individual and may risk the person’s life;

➢ Introduce Abortion Aftercare services.

Euthanasia

From Manifesto:
Assisted Dying
➢ Legalise Voluntary Assisted Dying;
○ For competent adults who suffer from “constant and unbearable physical suffering that cannot be alleviated”. Ensure that the following criteria are met before allowing assisted dying:
■ The person is a competent adult who suffers from “constant and unbearable physical suffering that cannot be alleviated”.
■ The person undergoes an ex-ante evaluation with at least two independent doctors and one psychiatrist, that need to confirm the person is a competent adult who suffers from “constant and unbearable physical suffering that cannot be alleviated,” and that the person is making the request out of their own free will, not coerced or pressured by other persons.
■ The person’s request must be made earnestly and with full conviction, as determined during the ex-ante evaluation.
○ Ensure that during the procedure;
■ the person stays in full control of the process. Indeed, the physician’s role is to supply, but not to administer, the lethal drug.
■ family and friends are allowed to be present if the patient chooses so.

○ Put in place an ex-post committee to review all cases of assisted dying, composed of at least a medical expert, an ethicist and a legal expert. Every instance of assisted dying must be reported.

■ Ensure that no doctor is forced to take part in such a procedure.

Volt Manifesto

Abortion

Is the Partit Popolari opposed to abortion?

Yes – Partit Popolari opposes child abortion and is totally against it 100%. We firmly believe that Child abortions from the very day of conception is nothing but the bloody murder of the innocent.

Euthanasia

Is the Partit Popolari opposed to euthanasia?

Yes – Partit Popolari opposes Euthanasia and is totally 100% against. We firmly believe that only God the Almighty has the right to terminate our existence on this earth when he finally calls us to join him.

Notes

Abortion

In article 3 of Il-Pilastri tal-Partit Popolari it states:

We believe that the right to life also fully applies to children before birth, from the beginning of life. Therefore, we will oppose any attempt to introduce abortion in Malta.

More information

Manifesto:
Art.174. We believe first and foremost in the basic right to life, and therefore oppose the introduction of abortion in Malta. We believe that the ban on abortion should be enshrined in the Constitution of Malta.

Euthanasia

Manifesto:
Art.175. We believe that no one has the right to take the life of another without their consent, and we therefore strongly oppose the practice of involuntary euthanasia.
Art.176. While we do not believe in principle that the state should play a role in an individual’s decisions that do not affect the legitimate rights of others or society, we do believe that an exception should be made in the case of voluntary euthanasia (assisted suicide) the potential dangers that can result from this practice, including those of decisions made in an unclear mental state, the perception on the part of the patient that it is his/her duty to take that option once it is available, instead of being “a burden on those around him/her” and societal perception that since the choice of assisted suicide exists, it is a lesser priority to give the patient all care and attention required.

Partit Popolari Manifesto

Ivvota Favur il-Hajja is a project of Life Network Foundation that aims to provide clear information about the position of political parties on abortion and euthanasia for the benefit of the electorate.
www.lifenetwork.eu