A position paper calling for access to safe and legal abortion unveiled earlier this month is being backed by human rights advocates Aditus Foundation.

Aditus welcomed the document published by the Women’s Rights Foundation because it adopted a rights-based approach to a subject that had “remained a national taboo” for too long.

“Sexual and reproductive rights are fundamental human rights and, as such, merit being respected, protected and fulfilled. The paper’s recommendations urge Malta to reflect on the status quo, with a view to engaging in an effective and inclusive reform process,” the foundation said.

The WRF position paper calls for women in Malta to explore the various areas through which good sexual and reproductive health can be achieved.

A subject that has remained a national taboo for too long

The Women’s Rights Foundation argues abortion should be legally available in at least four cases: to save a woman’s life, to preserve a woman’s physical and mental health, in cases of rape or incest and in cases of fatal foetal impairment.

As human rights were “at the core” of its activities, Aditus declared it fully endorsed and supported the Women’s Rights Foundation recommendations.

The WRF paper sparked a debate on legalising abortion. While both the Labour and Nationalist parties said they were against the idea, PN leader Adrian Delia accused the government of using changes to the law on domestic violence to re-move the protection of the unborn child.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has repeatedly said his position was and remained against abortion and that those who wanted to hold a discussion could do so but there was no issue on the matter.