Dutch abortion ship grounded

The Dutch woman, Dr Rebecca Gomperts, who has been trying to overcome pro-life laws in various countries throughout the world by providing abortion facilities aboard her floating abortuary, Aurora, has finally come up against some problems. London Independent

To date, she has visited many countries where pro-life laws do not permit abortion, such as Ireland, Malta, Spain (before the law allowing abortion was passed), Portugal (again, before the law prohibiting abortion was changed), etc. Her tactics heretofore were to anchor her abortion ship just outside the territorial waters of pro-life countries and invite women to come aboard.

This year, Gomperts planned to travel to the coasts of Nicaragua, Chile, Brazil and Argentina. However, a new Dutch law will mean that Dr Gomperts and her colleagues could be responsible for the prosecution of women from any country who board the ‘Women on Waves’ ship, or ships, even in international waters.

Heroic Malta firmly pro-life

I have long felt a strong admiration for the tiny Mediterranean island of Malta. I have hardly had much choice on the matter, with a Maltese colleague regaling me with stories of Malta's heroism, from standing firm against the mighty Suleiman's fleet in 1565 to surviving the Nazi air attacks and submarine blockade during the Second World War.

My affection for Malta only increased the other day, when I read that a new telephone survey of the Maltese people has found them to be overwhelmingly opposed to abortion across the political spectrum. Now we just have to remind the abortion lobby to respect democracy. That means you, Rebecca Gomperts with your abortion ship and your insulting, colonial attitude to people who believe in protecting life. That means you, Myria Vassiliadou, lamenting the 'terrible situation in Malta' whilst in the same meeting speaking of the need to focus on 'democracy.' If any of these people were worthy of their liberal credentials, they would stop trying to interfere with the laws of democratic nations and re-examine their own deplorable lack of respect for both human life and democracy.

On a more cautionary note, however, the survey does serve as a warning to pro-life groups of the need for education. The small minority who were in favour of abortion, cited either rape and incest or threat to the mother's life as reasons. As Malta's Gift of Life stated: "We believe that when people understand the facts about these two delicate issues, that many would change their minds even about abortion in these cases."