EP resolution urges Malta and Poland to decriminalise abortion
The European Parliament passed a resolution with 336 votes in favor, 163 against, and 39 abstentions, advocating for the inclusion of the right to abortion in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. The resolution also urged Malta and Poland to legalize abortion, citing World Health Organization guidelines. The MEPs denounced instances where doctors and health institutions reject abortion, potentially jeopardizing patients’ lives or health. The resolution also called for abortion methods and procedures to be integrated into doctors’ and medical students’ curriculum and for free distribution of contraceptives, particularly to vulnerable groups. Among the MEPs, Alex Agius Saliba, Josianne Cutajar, and David Casa voted against, Alfred Sant abstained, and Cyrus Engerer, a proponent of the resolution, did not vote due to prior European Parliament commitments abroad. (TVM)
PN urges AG to prosecute Schembri and Muscat after Court judgement
The Nationalist Party urged the Attorney General and Police Commissioner to swiftly prosecute Keith Schembri and Joseph Muscat. The Opposition emphasized that action must be taken immediately, as demonstrated by Judge Lawrence Mintoff’s recent ruling. The ruling highlighted Schembri’s conduct during the investigation into Daphne Caruana Galizia’s murder. Judge Mintoff’s rejection of Yorgen Fenech’s request to remove Assistant Commissioner Keith Arnaud from the case focused on Schembri’s conflict of interest and lack of transparency regarding his relationship with Fenech. Aquilina criticized Schembri for abusing his position and working against Malta and Gozo’s national and security interests. (Maltatoday)
NGOs backed by Church call for end of pushbacks to Libya
Twenty human rights and migrant organisations are demanding that Malta stop what they termed as illegal pushbacks to Libya. They expressed concern about recent reports of such actions, including one flagged by the NGO Alarm Phone. The latter reported that 83 individuals were intercepted by the Libyan coastguard in Malta’s search-and-rescue area and taken to Libya, where conditions are known to be dire, akin to concentration camps according to Pope Francis. The appeal, endorsed by the Archdiocese of Malta, emphasizes Libya’s unsafe conditions due to ongoing conflict. (Newsbook)
