Italian Pro-Life Advocate Would Ban RU 486 Abortion Drug if His Party Elected
Rome, Italy (LifeNews.com) -- The head of a new pro-life political party in Italy says he will make sure the dangerous abortion drug RU 486 is banned if his party is elected to a couple dozens seats in the nation's parliament. Giuliano Ferrara says he thinks his “Abortion? No, thanks!” list of candidates ill get 4-5 percent of the vote in next month's elections as opposed to the 1-2 percent some observers predict. If he can reach that goal, the pro-life party will occupy 25-30 seats in the lower house of parliament and he says he will caucus with the People of Freedom Party to form a governing coalition. That could land him a position as the nation's health minister, where he will have control over decisions about the abortion drug. IN December, the Corriere della Sera newspaper indicated the French drug company Exelgyn is seeking permission to sell the abortion pill in Italy under the brand name Mifegyn. A decision on whether to allow sales of the drug, which causes an abortion at five to seven weeks into pregnancy, was expected by now. "We have pledged to make it available (in Italy)," Health Minister Livia Turco told the paper. "It is not a political choice but an administrative act." The drug, also known as mifepristone, has been responsible for the deaths of 13 women worldwide and has injured more than 1,100 in the United States alone.

Malta Pro-Life Group Wants Govt to Rebuke Pro-Abortion Council of Europe
Valleta, Malta (LifeNews.com) -- The leading pro-life group on Malta wants the government to make sure it sends a representative to the next meeting of the Council of Europe. The COE has called for an end to all laws prohibiting abortions within its member states. The Maltese government has said it won't legalize abortion but it may not be able to send a representative to the April COE meeting if the nation's parliament can convene and vote for an emissary by that date. Gift of Life wants to make sure that happens. “Despite the logistical and practical difficulties that may arise from the fact that Parliament has not yet convened, Gift of Life is appealing to the Government of Malta to do all it can to appoint a representative of Malta to the Council of Europe in time to ensure that our voice is heard on the matter," the group says. “Although this resolution would have no legal bearing on Malta, we feel that the Maltese Government should do its utmost to ensure that Malta’s position is made clear."