Abridged version and Press Release

 

Upholding Life, Not Hastening Death

CLC in Malta responds to the Government’s consultation on Assisted Voluntary Euthanasia

In its response to the Government’s consultation on Assisted Voluntary Euthanasia (AVE), the Christian Life Community (CLC) in Malta offers a firm yet deeply compassionate position: Malta must uphold the dignity of life, not hasten its end. The paper, developed by professionals from medical, ethical, social, academic and public policy fields, urges the nation to invest in care, not killing; in accompaniment, not abandonment.

CLC in Malta notes that the government’s consultation document, while framed in the language of autonomy and compassion, risks legalising a practice that could harm the most vulnerable, erode medical ethics, and reshape the social fabric in dangerous ways. The message given by CLC in Malta is not merely ideological – it is deeply human.

 

When Safeguards Fall Short

CLC in Malta draws on international evidence to show that once legalised, euthanasia and assisted suicide tend to expand in scope. What begins as a tightly controlled measure for terminal illness can, over time, include people with chronic conditions, mental health struggles, or even those experiencing existential distress. In countries like Belgium and Canada, initial safeguards have gradually weakened, with eligibility criteria broadening and public oversight proving increasingly difficult to maintain.

The lack of clear definitions in the Maltese proposal is also a major concern. By failing to distinguish between assisted suicide, euthanasia, and legitimate end-of-life practices such as palliative sedation or the withdrawal of futile treatment, the document introduces confusion into an already delicate area. The suggestion that assisted deaths be registered as “natural” further complicates matters, raising questions around transparency, accountability, and even the implications for insurance and legal responsibility.

Even within the proposed limits, the safeguards as outlined are inadequate and poorly defined. There is no clear protocol for assessing mental competence, especially in patients suffering from depression, anxiety, or cognitive decline. There is no mention of a credible mechanism to ensure that a patient’s request is free of subtle coercion, internalised pressure, or external suggestion.

 

The Heart of the Medical Profession

Legalising AVE strikes at the core of medical ethics. Doctors are trained and committed to healing, alleviating suffering, and accompanying patients through illness and dying – but not to intentionally end life. The proposal risks distorting this vocation by placing healthcare professionals in the role of agents of death. While the right to conscientious objection is mentioned, the requirement to refer patients for procedures doctors find morally objectionable amounts to indirect participation. Over time, this could create a divide in the profession and place pressure on future generations of practitioners.

As the paper puts it: “Doctors are not technicians of choice. They are guardians of life.”

The Emotional Toll on Families

The proposed law allows patients to exclude family members from the decision-making process. While framed as a right to privacy, this may leave loved ones devastated. Discovering that a parent, sibling or partner has ended their life – without the chance to accompany, support, or say goodbye – can leave lasting wounds. “There is grace in accompanying a person at the moment of passing,” the paper notes, “something that should never be rushed or denied.”

While the law may claim that the act was entirely private, this shift would profoundly affect families, the heart of all society. The burden of decision, the trauma of unresolved grief, can leave lasting emotional scars.

 

A Life-Giving Alternative

Instead of introducing AVE, CLC in Malta urges the Government to give legal standing and fully implement the National Palliative Care Strategy 2025–2035. Beyond physical pain, individuals nearing their end of life may experience deep psychological, emotional, social, and spiritual anguish – what palliative care specialists call “total pain. Addressing such suffering requires “total care”: not only clinical support but also companionship, counselling, and spiritual accompaniment. As the paper states, “True compassion does not eliminate the sufferer but embraces the person and their suffering.” Where good palliative care is available, the perceived need for assisted death diminishes drastically. Yet the sad reality in Malta is that too many still die in pain, alone, or without adequate support.

The document also expresses strong support for the National Suicide Prevention Strategy, which represents a hopeful step forward. The legalisation of assisted suicide, however, sends a mixed message – particularly to those battling mental health struggles. CLC in Malta argues instead: “We must not make despair legal. We must address the causes of despair.”

Cost is another factor. High-quality end-of-life care demands time, presence, and public investment. AVE may seem simpler or more efficient – but that apparent simplicity risks becoming a quiet expectation. For some, the legal “choice to die” could become a perceived “duty to die.”

A Voice for Hope, a Commitment to Dialogue

While CLC in Malta is clear in its stance, the tone of the paper is respectful, value-driven and open to discussion. The community does not seek to impose its views but to contribute to a national dialogue from a place of experience, reflection and solidarity with the most vulnerable.

Their final message is both a moral appeal and a social vision: In opposing assisted dying we are not indifferent to suffering but are strongly affirming love and presence.

Let Malta be a society that accompanies the vulnerable, not one that abandons them. Let us be a nation known not for how efficiently we manage death, but for how courageously we uphold life.

Full document can be found here

Inħarsu l-Ħajja, Ma Ngħaġġlux il-Mewt

 

Il-Komunita’ tal-Ħajja Nisranija f’Malta twieġeb għall-konsultazzjoni tal-Gvern dwar l-Ewtanasja Volontarja Assistita (EVA)

Fil-pożizzjoni tagħha dwar il-konsultazzjoni tal-Gvern fuq l-Ewtanasja Volontarja Assistita (AVE), il-Komunità tal-Ħajja Nisranija - Christian Life Community (magħrufa bħala CLC jew KĦN) f’Malta tagħti risposta soda iżda b’ħafna kompassjoni: Malta għandha tħares id-dinjità tal-ħajja, mhux tippromwovi t-tmiem tagħha. Dan id-dokument, żviluppat minn professjonisti fil-qasam mediku, etiku, soċjali, akkademiku u ta’ politika pubblika, jappella biex ninvestu fil-kura, mhux fil-qtil; fl-akkumpanjament, mhux fl-abbandun.

Il-KĦN f’Malta tinnota li l-konsultazzjoni tal-Gvern, għalkemm ippreżentata bil-lingwa ta’ awtonomija u kompassjoni, tirriskja li tilegalizza prattika li tista’ tagħmel ħsara lill-aktar vulnerabbli, timmina l-etika medika, u tbiddel il-fibra soċjali b’mod perikoluż. Il-messaġġ li jagħti l-KĦN mhuwiex sempliċement ideoloġiku – imma profondament uman.

Meta l-Garanziji Jonqsu

Il-KĦN f’Malta tirreferi għal evidenza internazzjonali li turi kif, ladarba ssir legali, l-ewtanasja u s-suwiċidju assistit għandhom it-tendenza li jillaxkaw. Dak li jibda bħala miżura ristretta għal mard terminali, maż-żmien jsir jinkludi wkoll nies b’kundizzjonijiet kroniċi, problemi ta’ saħħa mentali, jew dwejjaq eżistenzjali. F’pajjiżi bħall-Belġju u l-Kanada, il-garanziji inizjali sfaw idgħajfu gradwalment, u l-eliġibbiltà espandiet, b’kontroll u għarfien pubblika dejjem aktar diffiċli biex jinżamm.

In-nuqqas ta’ definizzjonijiet ċari fil-proposta tal-Gvern Maltija huwa wkoll ta’ tħassib serju. L-iżball li wieħed jonqos milli jiddistingwi bejn suwiċidju assistit, ewtanasja, u prattiki leġittimi ta’ tmiem il-ħajja bħal sedazzjoni palliattiva jew it-tneħħija ta’ trattament bla skop, joħloq konfużjoni f’qasam diġà delikat. Is-suġġeriment li dawn l-imwiet jiġu rreġistrati bħala “naturali” jżid aktar kumplessità, u jqajjem mistoqsijiet dwar it-trasparenza, ir-responsabbiltà, u l-implikazzjonijiet legali u tal-assigurazzjoni.

Anke fil-limiti proposti, il-garanziji huma nieqsa u definiti ħażin. M’hemm l-ebda protokoll ċar dwar kif jiġu vvalutati l-kapaċità mentali jew il-libertà tad-deċiżjoni, speċjalment f’pazjenti li jbatu mid-dipressjoni, l-ansjetà, jew nuqqas ta’ għarfien. M’hemmx referenza għal mekkaniżmu serju li jiżgura li r-rikjesta tal-pazjent tkun verament ħielsa minn pressjoni – interna jew esterna.

Il-Qalba tal-Professjoni Medika

Il-legalizzazzjoni tal-AVE tolqot direttament il-qalba tal-etika medika. It-tobba huma mħarrġa biex ifejqu, itaffu s-sofferenza u jakkumpanjaw lill-pazjenti – mhux biex jtemmu ħajjithom b’mod intenzjonat. Il-proposta tirriskja li tbiddel din il-vokazzjoni, billi tagħmel lit-tobba aġenti tal-mewt. Għalkemm jissemmew l-objezzjoni ta’ kuxjenza u d-dritt li wieħed jirrifjuta, l-obbligu li tirreferi għal proċeduri li wieħed iħoss moralment ħżiena jammonta għal parteċipazzjoni indiretta. Dan jista’ joħloq qasma fil-professjoni medika u pressjoni fuq ġenerazzjonijiet futuri.

Kif jgħid id-dokument: “It-tobba mhumiex teknċi tal-għażla. Huma gwardjani tal-ħajja.”

Il-Piż Emotttiv fuq il-Familji

Il-liġi proposta tippermetti lill-pazjenti li jeskludu lill-familjari mid-deċiżjoni. Għalkemm dan jista’ jidher bħala dritt għall-privatezza, jaf iħalli ġrieħi kbar. Li tiskopri li xi ħadd għażiż għamel suwiċidju assistit – mingħajr ma ngħata ċ-ċans li tkun hemm għalih jew tgħix miegħu l-aħħar mumenti – jista’ jkollu konsegwenzi ta’ niket tul il-ħajja. “Hemm grazzja li takkumpanja persuna fil-mument tal-mewt,” jgħid id-dokument, “xi ħaġa li m’għandhiex tiġi imċaħda jew mgħaġġla.”

Dan jista’ jħalli piż emozzjonali fuq il-familji, il-qalba tas-soċjetà Maltija, u joħloq feriti li ma jitfejqu qatt.

Alternattiva Li Tħaddan il-Ħajja

Minflok l-EVA, il-KĦN f’Malta tappella biex il-Gvern jagħti appoġġ legali u jimplimenta bis-sħiħ l-Istrateġija Nazzjonali għall-Kura Palliattiva 2025–2035. Barra l-uġigħ fiżiku, il-persuni li qed jersqu lejn tmiem ħajjithom jistgħu jesperjenzaw dwejjaq psikoloġiku, emozzjonali, soċjali u spiritwali – magħruf bħala “uġigħ totali”. Dan jitlob “kura totali”: appoġġ kliniku flimkien ma’ psikoloġiku, counselling u akkumpanjament spiritwali. Kif jgħid id-dokument: “Il-vera kompassjoni ma teliminax lis-sofferent, imma tħaddnu.”

Huwa magħruf li meta tingħata kura palliattiva tajba, tonqos drastikament ix-xewqa fil-pazjent għall-mewt assistita. Madankollu, f’Malta, ħafna nies għadhom imutu bl-uġigħ, waħedhom u mingħajr sapport adegwat.

Il-KĦN tesprimi wkoll appoġġ qawwi għall-Istrateġija Nazzjonali għall-Prevenzjoni tas-Suwiċidju. Il-legalizzazzjoni tas-suwiċidju assistit, madankollu, jibgħat messaġġ kontradittorju, speċjalment għal min qed jitħabat bis-saħħa mentali. “M’għandniex nagħmlu d-disperazzjoni legali,” jgħid id-dokument tal-KĦN. “Għandna nindirizzaw il-kawżi tagħha.”

L-ispiża hija fattur ieħor. Kura ta’ kwalità fit-tmiem tal-ħajja teħtieġ ħin, preżenza, u investiment qawwi. L-EVA jista’ jidher aktar sempliċi – imma dik is-sempliċità tista’ ssir aspettattiva siekta. Għal xi wħud, id-“dritt li tmut” jista’ jinbidel f’“dmir li tmut.”

Leħen ta’ Tama, Impenn għad-Djalogu

Filwaqt li l-KĦN hija soda fil-pożizzjoni tagħha, it-ton tal-pożizzjoni jibqa’ rispettabbli, imnebbaħ mill-valuri u miftuħ għad-djalogu. Il-komunità ma tfittexx li timponi l-fehmiet tagħha, imma li tagħti sehem fid-djalogu nazzjonali mill-esperjenza, ir-riflessjoni u s-solidarjetà mal-vulnerabbli.

Il-messaġġ finali huwa appell morali u viżjoni soċjali: F’oppożizzjoni għall-mewt assistita, qed nagħtu leħen lill-imħabba u l-preżenza:

“J’Alla Malta tkun kapaċi issir soċjetà li takkumpanja lill-vulnerabbli, mhux li tabbandunahom. Ħa nkunu nazzjon magħruf mhux għal kif inħaffu il-mewt b’mod effiċjenti, imma għal kemm inqimu l-ħajja b’mod kuraġġuz.”

Aqra d-dokument sħiħ

SHORT PRESS RELEASE:

CLC in Malta Calls for Compassion: “Upholding Life, Not Hastening Death”

The Christian Life Community (CLC) in Malta has submitted a detailed response to the Government’s consultation on Assisted Voluntary Euthanasia (AVE), firmly opposing its legalisation while calling for greater investment in care, dignity, and community support.

Developed by professionals from the medical, ethical, academic, policy and social fields, the paper warns that AVE – though framed as compassionate – risks endangering the vulnerable, undermining medical ethics, and sending a dangerous message to future generations. It highlights international evidence showing that safeguards are often eroded over time, with eligibility expanding from terminal illness to mental health conditions and chronic suffering. The lack of clear definitions in the Maltese proposal, including the registration of assisted deaths as “natural,” raises serious legal, ethical, and institutional concerns.

The document highlights the emotional toll such a law could take on families—especially when excluded from the decision – and the wider social impact. Legalising AVE undermines the vocation of doctors, who are called to heal and accompany, not become agents of death. It risks shifting society’s ethos from compassionate care to quiet resignation, weakening trust and solidarity across professions and generations.

CLC in Malta also addresses the fact that AVE may be seen as the cheaper option compared to holistic end-of-life care. Instead, it makes a strong case for the full implementation of the National Palliative Care Strategy (2025–2035) and robust commitment to the National Suicide Prevention Strategy.

While firm in its stance, the tone of the position paper remains respectful and open. CLC Malta offers a voice for hope in national dialogue, stating:

“Let Malta be a society that accompanies the vulnerable, not one that abandons them. Let us be a nation known not for how efficiently we manage death, but for how courageously we uphold life.”

The full paper published by CLC in Malta may be viewed here