Gift of Life rejects AD chairman's comments on abortion

Gift of Life has rejected comments made by Alternativa Demokratika chairman Harry Vassallo in favour of making the country's laws less restrictive and thus allowing for legalised abortion in certain situations.

The organisation said it was very disappointed at Dr Vassallo's comments in his contribution in The Times of March 28.

"We are convinced that Dr Vassallo is fully aware that this is not an issue, as here in Malta the double effect principle is used successfully in difficult pregnancies." Gift of Life added that his comments set a very dangerous precedent.

The double effect principle is described by ethicists as being used to determine when it is morally permissible to perform an action towards a good end in the knowledge that the action will also bring about bad results. "It is a firmly established fact that the full legalisation of abortion is invariably preceded by the relaxation of laws in certain extreme cases," said Gift of Life.

"Equally we condemn without reservation the timing of the comments made by the leader of Alternattiva Demokratika, given the recent pressure being placed on Malta from the Council of Europe to legalise abortion on demand.

"Although this resolution would not be legally binding on Malta, we feel that the Maltese government should do its utmost to ensure that Malta's position is made clear at the plenary.

"These kinds of resolutions have been used to successfully pressure countries to legalise abortion through the courts as in the case of Colombia's Constitutional Court in 2006.

"We remain committed to the pro-life cause and the defence of human life, which includes the life of the mother as well as of the unborn."