Abortion in Malta is illegal except in cases where the life of the pregnant woman is at risk.[1] Until 2023, it was illegal without exception.[2] Malta has the most restrictive laws regarding abortion in Europe (alongside Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Poland, the Faroe Islands and Vatican City)[3] with the law in Malta held to be influenced by Roman Catholic Christianity, which formed part of the identity of 82% of the population according to the 2021 census.
Treatment to end an ectopic pregnancy is allowed through a medical protocol which allows for each situation to be considered individually in line with the double effect principle i.e. not causing intentional harm to the pregnant woman or her unborn child.[4][5]
- ^ AP (2023-06-28). "Malta to allow abortion but only when woman's life is at risk". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-12-05.
- ^ Centre for Reproductive Rights (June 2022). "European Abortion Laws: An Overview" (PDF). reproductiverights.org.
- ^ See table in Abortion in Europe for a full outline of abortion laws by jurisdiction in Europe.
- ^ "Doctors praise protocol for [treatment of] ectopic pregnancies after woman's claims". December 2020.
- ^ "Malta rebuked again over blanket abortion ban".