A private members' bill proposing the decriminalisation of abortion has been tabled in parliament by independent MP Marlene Farrugia on Wednesday. Speaking during an adjournment in the House, Farrugia put forward draft legislation to be debated by MPs. The draft legislation goes against the declared position of both sides of parliament and so faces a tough road if it is ever to see the light of day. Under Malta's criminal code anyone who seeks or helps with an abortion can be sentenced from 18 months to three years in prison, even though prosecutions are rare. However, last year a UK study said around 400 Maltese women are estimated to travel abroad to have an abortion annually, and around 200 women in Malta are estimated to purchase abortion pills online every year. What does the bill say? The proposed amendment calls for the striking off of Article 241(1) of the Criminal Code, which prohibits the ‘procuring of a miscarriage’ and carries a prison term of up to three years. The proposal also suggests the striking off of Article 242, which holds anyone assisting the abortion punishment for wilful homicide or wilful bodily harm. Article 242 which holds any medical...