Cyrus Engerer Urges Abortion Decriminalisation After Women Handed Prison Sentence

In a social media post, former Labour MEP Cyrus Engerer said that for as long as abortion remains fully criminalised, women will continue to face investigations, police questioning, court cases and the threat of prison.

This comes after a woman was handed a suspended prison sentence for an alleged abortion, despite her arguing that she in fact suffered a miscarriage.

‘Whether an abortion actually took place is almost beside the point’, said Engerer. ‘Medically, doctors cannot distinguish with certainty between a miscarriage and an induced abortion. Yet the machinery of criminal law was set in motion anyway.’

‘For two years this woman lived under investigation, court hearings, public scrutiny, and the threat of prison. Two years. Even if a prison sentence is eventually suspended or reduced, the process itself is punishment.’

Engerer said that Prime Minister Robert Abela, PN Leader Alex Borg, Momentum Leader Arnold Cassola and ADPD Leader Sandra Gauci all agree that a woman should not go to prison for an abortion.

‘If everyone agrees that women should not go to prison, then there is only one logical conclusion: the law must change, and there it is only Sandra Gauci who is consistent.’

‘You cannot claim to oppose imprisoning women while defending a legal framework that makes imprisonment possible. That is not a position. That is avoidance.’

‘The court was clear: Malta has "absolute prohibition" when it comes to abortion. If we genuinely believe that women should never be imprisoned for abortion, then the solution is simple. Decriminalise abortion. Now.’

#MaltaDaily