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SOCIETY FOR PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY STANDARDS INC.

Assisted suicide ‘a stepping stone’

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OPINION PIECE by Renee Joubert

I know first-hand how painful it is to watch a loved one deteriorate and die.

However, I feel frustrated by the emphasis the current assisted suicide debate puts on the terminally ill.

Rhetoric about how the terminally ill need assisted dying is only a way to manipulate our emotions and soften up society for the real agenda: legal assisted suicide for everyone. The pro-euthanasia lobby wants suicide to be regarded as normal, acceptable and rational. Their only objection is that “suicide is violent” – not that it’s to be prevented and discouraged in principle. In fact, it should be facilitated for anyone who “wants to die”.

Recently euthanasia advocate Philip Nitschke appealed his medical deregistration in response to his involvement in the suicide of a 45-year old depressed but healthy man. Nitschke’s lawyer said in his opening address the case was about “the dangerous idea [of] whether a person who is contemplating rational suicide ought to be required by a medical doctor not to do so”..

He implied that if a person had a good reason to want to die, a doctor should not intervene.

Since suffering is subjective and universal, any suicidal person would have a rationale for wanting to die. Terminal illness is only one of many possibilities.

The slogans with “choose to die”, “die on one’s own terms” and “right to control the timing and manner of one’s death” apply to suicide and by definition, rights apply to everyone.

Last June I asked Maryan Street at a public forum: “If this right applies to everyone, why are there conditions in your bill?”

She replied that suicide was legal, but assisted suicide was illegal, so to change the law there had to be conditions.

The End-of-Life Choice Bill proposes legal assisted suicide for anyone over 18 who has an irreversible physical or mental medical condition and understands that a request will result in death. This would include disability, chronic illness, mental illness, depression and ageing-related conditions. Effectively, any adult could be eligible.

The essence of the assisted dying debate is whether anyone who wants to die should be allowed to kill themselves. [Read more…]

Lecretia Seales did not get her dying wish – High Court decision issued

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Lecretia Seales did not get her dying wish.

Only Parliament can change the law to reflect her wishes, Justice David Collins said.

The judgment from the High Court at Wellington explains Seales’ doctor would have been at risk of being prosecuted for either murder or manslaughter if she administered a fatal drug to Seales, intending to kill her.

The judgment also explains Seales’ doctor would be at risk of being prosecuted with assisting suicide if she provided Seales with a fatal drug, intending Seales take that drug and if Seales died as a consequence.

The provisions of the Crimes Act are not inconsistent with the Bill of Rights, Collins said.

He conveyed his deepest condolences to her husband, family and friends.

Seales would have learned of the outcome on Tuesday, the judgment reveals.

“I cannot declare that Ms Seales’ doctor would be acting lawfully if she administered a fatal drug to Ms Seales within the terms sought.

“Nor can I declare that it would be lawful for Ms Seales’ doctor to provide her with a fatal drug knowing that Ms Seales intended to use that drug to end her own life and did so.”

“Because Ms Seales’ health is rapidly deteriorating, I informed the parties of this aspect of my decision on 2 June 2015.”

Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/69112451/lecretia-seales-did-not-have-right-to-die-high-court-rules

Link to High Court Ruling

Scottish assisted suicide bill defeated

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A Bill proposing to introduce assisted suicide in Scotland has been defeated at Holyrood by 82 votes to 36.

The Bill, which was taken over by Patrick Harvey MSP following the death of Margo McDonald, had its first stage reading in the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday (27th May).

The legislation purported to allow those over the age of 16 with terminal or life-shortening illnesses to end their lives with the assistance of another person, known as a “licensed facilitator.”……………….

Strong opposition

The Bill was also opposed strongly by disability groups representing young children and dementia patients, as well as doctors, the British Medical Association, the Royal College of Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, the Faculty of Advocates and the Equality and Human Rights Commission:

Full Story published 29/05/15

http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/end-of-life/scottish-assisted-suicide-bill-defeated

Slavery on NZ seas: rape, bonded labour and abuse widespread on fishing boats

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Indonesian fishermen working on boats in New Zealand waters face slave-like conditions, violence and sexual abuse, a report says.

The Auckland University research, based on interviews with 300 fishermen, found they were forced to work days on end, with shifts ranging from 16 to 53 hours for as little as 49 cents an hour. They faced physical violence and debt entrapment.

Full story:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/68739974/slavery-on-nz-seas-rape-bonded-labour-and-abuse-widespread-on-fishing-boats

Lecretia Seales’ assisted dying case at top of slippery slope, opponents say

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Opponents of Lecretia Seales’ court case to clarify the law on doctor-assisted death say it would be the start of a slippery slope if she were to succeed.

The terminally ill Wellington lawyer’s application begins in the High Court at Wellington on Monday.

Treatment of her brain tumour has ended and she is having palliative care, but believes that might not continue to meet her needs. She wants the option of having her doctor help her to die if her suffering is intolerable.

That option would likely give her a longer, more peaceful life than if her only way to end suffering was to take her own life while still able to do so unaided, her claim says.

Seales, 42, says the court case is about her and her circumstances only.

The attorney-general, who is the defendant in the case, disagrees and so does an interest group, Care Alliance, which has been allowed a limited say in Seales’ case.

Solicitor-General Mike Heron, QC, representing the attorney-general, said if Seales’ claim were accepted, it would have implications well beyond her case and would apply to all who have a terminal illness and think their suffering is intolerable.

“The attorney-general’s position is that the conventional understanding of the Crimes Act – which precludes physician-assisted dying – must continue to apply unless and until it is altered by Parliament.”

Care Alliance says that, if Seales is successful, overseas experience suggests it would be the start of a slippery slope that would put vulnerable lives at risk. [Read more…]