Gift of Life fiercely opposes abortion ship's proposed visit

The Home Affairs Ministry yesterday made it clear it would react in strict accordance with the laws of Malta after a pro-abortion organisation rekindled its wish to sail its clinic to Malta.

In the meantime, the pro-life movement Gift of Life has urged the government to do all it can to stop Women on Waves' abortion ship from sailing to Malta.

Dutch doctor Rebecca Gomperts said she would like to raise the issue of women's choice in Malta and show the Maltese there is a problem "on their little island".

Dr Gomperts said that in a good democratic society women should have the option to decide for themselves, adding that there are Maltese women who want to have an abortion.

Asked whether she planned to offer Maltese women the possibility of having an abortion, Dr Gomperts said that, when possible, women would be provided with the abortion pill, which works by inducing a miscarriage. Such a practice is illegal in Malta.

"If there are any Maltese women who would like to use our services, of course they would be welcome," she said, adding that the procedure was very safe and millions of women had used it without any adverse effects. Earlier this week, the British media reported that the abortion ship was planning to sail to countries where abortion was illegal and take women out to sea for terminations.

Its licence allows it to sail under the Dutch flag in international waters and hand out abortion pills for women up to seven weeks pregnant.

Apart from Malta, Dr Gomperts said Women on Waves would target Ireland and Poland, the other two EU countries where abortion is illegal.

Back in 2000, Dr Gomperts caused a storm when she planned to offer the service to Maltese women in a clinic on a ship moored in international waters. The government had made it clear it would object to its entry in Malta. Pro-life movement Gift of Life spokesman Paul Vincenti was not in the least surprised about the news that the abortion ship intends to sail to Malta.

"We have been calling for better protection for the unborn in Malta for two-and-a-half years now and we have repeatedly warned everyone of this possibility."

Such individuals will never give up until abortion is legalised in Malta, Mr Vincenti said.

"These people are bent on destroying human life no matter how frail and defenceless. They claim to work in the interest of women yet no abortion clinic anywhere offers women post-abortion support to help them cope with the deep psychological scares that follow an abortion."

Mr Vincenti called on the government and the opposition to take a clear position on this issue and to move forward with the proposed Constitutional amendment to provide the unborn child with the clear right to life as soon as possible.

"Not taking a clear, united stand will send the message that Malta is not united on this issue and will encourage this ship and others to come to Malta to lobby and campaign with even more determination."