Over the past few days, we here at Bis-Serjetà have been doing our best to get our heads around the latest episode in the abortion debate, triggered by Marlene Farrugia’s motion to decriminalise the procedure. After analysing the situation, we can only conclude that we’re living in a parallel dystopian universe where nothing makes sense. Here’s why…
What is Marlene Farrugia’s motion?
Presently, Maltese law states that any woman found guilty of having an abortion is liable to a maximum of three years in prison (the same penalty applies to anyone who helps the woman have an abortion, such as a doctor). Farrugia’s motion seeks to remove the penalty for women – one of the harshest in the world that puts us in the company of renowned beacons of human rights like Egypt, Iraq, Honduras, El Salvador and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Also the fellow mighty European nation of Andorra, which is basically Mountain Malta.
Should abortion be decriminalised?
That depends on whether you believe women who make the decision not to bring a child into the world for one reason or another – their mental health, their financial situation, their age, the fact they were raped, or the knowledge that the child will be severely disabled or possibly kill them – are criminals who deserve to rot in prison, possibly the same prison where the rapist that impregnated them is being held.
Actually that last one is almost impossible, because the conviction rate for rape is exceedingly low. Phew!
In any case, it would only be for a maximum of three years because Maltese law does not recognise abortion as murder. Huh…
How did the government react?
After Farrugia tabled her motion, the Labour Party released a statement, insisting the motion should not be debated in parliament, because that would “stifle debate”. To rephrase, the Labour Party insisted that members of parliament, whose primary role in a representative democracy is to debate and decide on issues on behalf of the public, should not discuss issues on behalf of the public.
In fact, the reason it’s taken us so long to publish an analysis is because, since the statement was made last Friday, we’ve been rocking back and forth in our chairs and drooling, after repeatedly trying to make sense of it.
Finally, on the cusp of madness, we asked a political expert to decipher the statement. He came back with:
“There’s no fucking way we’re touching this issue with a 20-foot pole before an election.”
So while our democracy is totally fucked, at least our own sanity is restored.
What about the Opposition?
The Nationalist Party’s statement came after Bernard Grech promised the party would consult with experts before coming to a conclusion. This thorough discussion took just two hours to come to a conclusion, which can be summarised as: “Nope. Nope, nope, nope.”
In fairness, the PN’s position is entirely in line with its conservative values. However, as is often the case with Bernard Grech’s PN, there appeared to be a few inconsistencies in the party’s position. During an interview the following day, Grech said the party was staunchly pro-life, but he didn’t think women should go to prison for having an abortion. This leads us to wonder what punishment Grech thinks women should face. A fine? Community service? No chocolate for a month? A slap on the bum?
How about the smaller parties?
ADPD announced its support for the decriminalisation bill, but insisted that abortion should be limited to specific and extraordinary circumstances. In other words, a neither-here-nor-there position designed to capture their standard 50 votes.
Volt, the new pan-European party, had already announcement its support not just for decriminalisation, but full legalisation. The absolute madmen.
One interesting reaction to ADPD and Volt’s stances was the phrase: “You’ve just lost my vote”, usually written by bald middle-aged man wearing aviator sunglasses and a pink polo shirt while posing next to a sports car, with a ‘Forza Juve’ overlay. In other words, the liberal left parties’ core demographic.
And the President?
Earlier today, President George Vella announced he would sooner resign than sign a bill that “involves the authorisation of murder.” So it’s a good thing that, as mentioned, abortion is not considered murder in Maltese law. Looks like you won’t have to stop living in a palace any time soon, Your Excellency.
How have pro-lifers reacted?
Pro-life reactions on Facebook have been many and varied, ranging from “Marlene Farrugia is a witch” to “Marlene Farrugia is the devil.”
Less rabid pro-lifers have insisted that the solution is to provide better and wide-ranging sex education to young people. We’re sure the Catholic Church will agree to this without complaint.
Meanwhile, another oft-mooted solution is to improve society so that women won’t feel compelled to have an abortion for financial reasons. The exact date and time at which capitalism will be overthrown have yet to be decided.
How have pro-choice people reacted?
Pro-choice people have made Marlene Farrugia their Queen whose political motives or tendency to change her mind often must not be questioned on pain of death. All hail Marlene, Khaleesi and Mother of Dragons (unless she feels she isn’t able to bring dragons into the world right now).
What does the future hold?
The Bis-Serjetà prediction is that decriminalisation will be decided by a referendum after the election, as this is by far the best way to legislate on minority rights. After all, why shouldn’t a 70-year-old man decide what a woman should do with her own body?
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