New legal rights of unborn child hailed

The Cana Movement and the Social Assistance Secretariat of the Malta Catholic Action have welcomed the law creating the post of Commissioner for Children, which recognises the legal rights of the unborn child.

The secretariat said that during the past four years it had worked actively to promote the rights, protection and wholesome development of the unborn child.

In June, the secretariat and the movement had submitted a joint memorandum to MPs and the media on the responsibilities and functions of the new commissioner for children.

They suggested that the legal rights of the unborn child be recognised at law, and that the law should make provisions for the full protection and the wholesome development of the unborn child, from the moment of conception, throughout pregnancy, until birth and beyond.

The two organisations said they were in full agreement with the government on the need to conduct an educational campaign on the subject and looked forward to offering their close collaboration on the matter.

The secretariat and movement noted "the great respect" shown by parliament towards the dignity of human life.

This was in consistence with the social teaching of the Catholic Church on the culture of life, as a God-given gift towards the building of human civilisations, they said.