Right to life

Dr Sandro Vella (July 25), makes his arguments in favour of an anti-abortion act becoming part of the constitution.

Conveniently, as is the wont of people who seek to impose their morality on others, he ignores that section of the population that may, for one reason or another, support the idea of abortion.

Statistics show that a small percentage of Maltese mothers-to-be have abortions abroad. Are these people wrong to do so? Who can tell? Their individual situations are not open to scrutiny and we cannot pass judgment on these women.

While Dr Vella's opinions are valid, I feel that, as a nation, Malta should be catering for its citizens and not only those of a particular religious denomination. One can argue that a true Roman Catholic would not choose abortion irrespective of the legality of such a procedure; yet we still have women who feel that this is their only option and who spend money to go abroad and have an abortion abroad.

We have all heard horror stories about quacks who perform abortions at the drop of a hat, cash only, with primitive instruments. Urban legends? Perhaps.

However, this country is still not doing anything to support the women who choose abortion, to point out other choices which may have not been considered and to support them before, during and after such an act.

It is up to the nation to stand up for its citizens; not to sweep their problems under a collective carpet of ignorance.