Commenting on the non-debate on abortion in Malta, the Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Nils Muiznieks, has been reported as saying that “Malta has one of the most restrictive regimes in the Council of Europe in this area and it’s almost a taboo topic” (November 11).

His remarks show that, as a nation, we have not yet proclaimed ourselves publicly, clearly and unequivocally that we are pro-life and that the right to life, from conception to its natural end, supercedes all other rights.

The Women’s Rights Foundation has also insisted that a debate on this issue should be carried out, remarking that “avoiding the debate won’t make the matter disappear”.

The remarks by the commissioner and the Women’s Rights Foundation focus only on the reproductive rights of women without any reference to the right of the unborn child.

If the majority of Maltese are not willing to compromise where the life of an individual is at risk, even the one of the unborn, and this not because of any prejudice, superstition or taboo but because of a firm belief in the sanctity of life, then we should in no way be considered as avoiding the subject. On the contrary, we are affirming that when it comes to life or death there is no need of a debate.

If ever a healthy and holistic debate on abortion is to be carried out, one thing should be made clear.  Unless the human person is considered in his entirety, that is, in his physical, psychological, spiritual and moral aspects, then the debate will be futile.

In every human debate, the moral and ethical aspects have to be considered integral to the discussion. And once the majority of Maltese profess to be Catholics, the Catholic social teaching of the Church should be consulted when such a debate takes place.

Freedom of religion should also be considered as a sacred right and, therefore, the religious aspect cannot be eliminated from the discussion. Only when looking at and considering all aspects and implications of abortion can a healthy debate lead to  satisfactory and convincing conclusions to all involved.