Only Malta and Andorra prohibit abortion under any circumstances

Highly restrictive laws that prohibit abortion – such as in Malta – have severe and harmful implications on women’s health and well-being, according to a Council of Europe paper published today. The report by the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe says most women in such countries who decide to end a pregnancy, travel abroad to obtain safe services or undergo an illegal, clandestine abortion at home. The paper on women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights comes less than a month after Commissioner Nils Muiž-nieks said he was “taken aback” by the lack of public debate about abortion in Malta. Malta had one of the most restrictive regimes in the Council of Europe on abortion, and it was almost a taboo subject, he said. The report gives an overview of EU States’ obligations, shines a light on some national examples and international jurisprudence, and provides some 40 recommendations aimed at helping States address shortcomings. Among other things, the report calls for reforming highly restrictive laws by ensuring that abortion is legal on a woman’s request in early pregnancy and thereafter, throughout pregnancy, to protect women’s health and...