The fundamental right to life is enshrined in the Constitution and cannot depend solely on the will of the mother, Life Network Foundation have said in a statement voicing strong opposition to a bill proposing the decriminalisation of abortion. “Maltese law also recognises the unborn child as a recipient of certain civil rights. This bill will be causing an inconsistency between criminal and civil law, as well as going against the Embryo Protection Act, which protects human life from conception, at its early stage,” the NGO said in a statement. This week, independent MP Marlene Farrugia presented a bill to Parliament that proposes decriminalising abortion, meaning women who procure abortions will no longer face the possibility of jail-time.