Labour MEP Edward Scicluna said this afternoon that he had not voted in favour of any specific text related to "reproductive rights" or "abortion" in the European Parliament and therefore the pro-life lobby group Gift of Life had nothing to be concerned about his views.
Prof Scicluna was reacting to a statement by Gift of Life which said it was 'concerned' about the pro-life record of Prof Scicluna following his vote in a European Parliament non-legislative resolution on the EU response to HIV/AIDS, which mentioned access to abortion.
The group noted that the resolution calls on the Commission and Council to ensure access to high-quality, comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, information and supplies. The resolution said this should cover, inter alia, confidential and voluntary counselling, testing and treatment for HIV and all sexually transmitted infections; prevention of unintended pregnancies; equitable and affordable access to contraceptives, including access to emergency contraception; safe and legal abortion, including post-abortion care; and care and treatment to prevent vertical transmission of HIV, including to partners and children.'
"This is a well known tactic within the European Parliament that is to include access to abortion as a small part of a large resolution so as to make it difficult for the members to vote against," Gift of Life said.
It noted that Labour MEPs John Attard Montalto and Louis Grech were absent for this vote, while Nationalists Simon Busuttil and David Casa voted against it.
GOL said it will be launching a pro-life candidates watch leading up to the
next general election which will guide voters on the pro-life stance of prospective candidates.
"We urge Dr Scicluna to explain his position on abortion," GOL said.
Prof Scicluna last Saturday announced he will be a candidate for the general election.
PROF SCICLUNA'S REACTION
In his reaction, Prof Scicluna said he had nothing to explain to Gift of Life. Neither should the group have reasons to be "concerned".
"My voting track record in the European Parliament and my public statements have all been clearly against abortion.
"If they had consulted me, instead of taking the hint from those who came out with the politically loaded malicious statement in the first place, they would have saved themselves a lot of useless trouble and specious statements," Prof Scicluna said.
"I therefore ask them to consult with the official minutes of the respective Plenary Session where they would find that I did not vote in favour of any specific text related to "reproductive rights" or "abortion"."