Court handed conditional discharge to woman charged with abortion

“What should have never happened, happened today: a Maltese woman was brought to court facing charges of having a medical abortion at home”, it said on Facebook.

The NGO said that the Women’s Rights Foundation’s legal team assisted the woman “throughout the ordeal and she was let off with conditional discharge”.

While the case was being heard behind closed doors, sources familiar with the case told Bonġu that it was the woman’s partner who reported to police that he had found abortion pills in their home.

“We are informed that throughout the investigation and the entire proceedings she was treated with the dignity and respect that she deserves by the police and our justice system”, Doctors for Choice said.

“Whilst we appreciate that, it does not change the fact that this should have never, ever happened in the first place.”

The NGO said that access to safe abortion is recognised worldwide as a basic part of women’s healthcare and a basic human right.

Medical abortion through the use of pills at home is a reality in Malta, with at least 200 online purchases per year as figures from international suppliers suggest.

It is estimated that around 400 Maltese women travel overseas to have an abortion every year.

More to follow