'Candles of life' vigil held outside parliament in another anti-abortion protest

Hundreds of candles were lit outside Parliament on Wednesday evening as people gathered once more to protest the proposed amendments to Malta's criminal law banning abortion under any circumstance.

The vigil followed a demonstration last Sunday in which several thousands took to the streets of Valletta to voice their anger at the proposed amendments.

The amendments would remove the risk of criminal prosecution if a pregnancy is terminated during an intervention to protect the mother’s life or her health if it is in "grave jeopardy".

Activists on Wednesday lit candles around a large printout of a newborn baby stretched out on the ground.

Protesters lit hundreds of candles. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Popular TV host and journalist Peppi Azzopardi said the candles were a sign of hope. "These are not candles for the dead, but are full of life, life of the unborn in the womb," he said.

The bill is being debated in parliament. It has drawn a storm of protests from the opposition, the Church and several NGOs, while the doctors’ union has said it would cause more problems for medical professionals.

Other NGOs have come out in favour and academics are divided over the proposals.

During...