Young people sitting in the Parliament of Youths this afternoon approved a resolution saying it should not be illegal to prescribe the morning-after pill to rape victims as long as this was done through hospitals.

The issue was discussed by the youth parliament today. The activity was organised by the National Council for Youths.

It was argued that the prescription of the morning-after pill should not remain illegal in exceptional circumstances, such as rape. The morning-after pill was little more than a high dose of the contraceptive pill and could be prescribed before the embryo implanted itself in the womb.

However, opponents of the resolution warned that opening the door to the morning-after pill, albeit ajar, could lead to abuse.

The youths said they were against abortion but further research was needed into the local situation, particularly in view of back street abortions. They said that a possible exception should only be allowed when the life of the mother was in danger.

Those present also called on the government, through the national health service, to provide IVF and other fertility treatments to infertile couples. It was manifestly unfair, they argued, that well-off couples could seek such expensive treatments from private clinics, while other couples could not because of their limited financial means.

The youths, however, decided against allowing euthanasia, saying there was not enough research about it, particularly in Malta.

The session was presided by Labour MP Carmelo Abela. Those present included Education Minister Dolores Cristina, Parliamentary Secretary Clyde Puli, shadow education minister Evarist Bartolo and shadow youth affairs minister Owen Bonnici.