Vial with doses of pentobarbital next to a crucifix, Debate between life and death, religious belief in the face of euthanasia, conceptual image
The much-praised issue of euthanasia is multidimensional, complex and touches on the moral, philosophical and biological existence of man. For years now, disputes have raged between doctors, lawyers, theologians, academics, etc., over whether patients with terminal illnesses have the right to die, the right to decide for themselves of their lives. Two MPs, Irini Charalambidou and Alexandra Attalidou, expressed their readiness to open the issue before the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights, taking an important step for the country.
“The issue had to be opened”
Irini Charalambidou, chairwoman of the Parliamentary Committee on Institutions and rapporteur on bringing the issue to the table in Cyprus, told “P” that “this dialogue once had to be opened, as it is a difficult issue, both legally and emotionally. point of view. However, societies must evolve. We can not forbid dialogue on such issues and I will remind you of the difficulties that have existed in the issues of abortions, civil marriages, decriminalization of homosexuality, etc. ” In fact, she added that “euthanasia is a matter of choice, in specific contexts, and we must, if nothing else, discuss it. In other European countries there is a very strict legal framework on the issue of euthanasia. I can not express my personal opinion, as I have lived in difficult situations with my loved ones “. At the same time, he clarifies that “in the discussion that will take place in the Human Rights Committee, the Church will certainly be invited to state its positions. Of course, the Church may have an opinion, but it cannot impose it. “
The Church is clear
For his part, the Metropolitan of Paphos, George, speaking to “P”, said that the Church is opposed to euthanasia, because it attributes life to God and not to man. In fact, as he characteristically said, “the value of life is great and above quality. God always has a plan for each person, with which he brings them to repentance. When one's life becomes unbearable, one can ask God to take it from one, but in no case can the person himself decide whether or not he should live. “God gives life, God takes it.” According to the Metropolitan of Paphos, George, the position of the Church is clear on this issue, since it can not accept the removal of life in any way. In the case of active euthanasia, for the Church it is considered murder, while in the case of passive euthanasia, it is considered suicide.
What applies in other EU countries
Europe is on the same wavelength, as so far there is no single solution to the issue of euthanasia and assisted suicide in EU countries. Most countries oppose active euthanasia several (countries) accept passive euthanasia. Several European countries have already taken the first step, allowing passive euthanasia. Legislation gave a patient with an incurable disease the right to refuse treatment. Only three countries, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, have so far legalized active euthanasia under strict terms and conditions: where a doctor causes a patient to die by administering a lethal substance. The National Bioethics and Technoethics Committee of Greece, which has dealt with the issue of euthanasia, published in the magazine “Bioethics” which manages an interesting study by the lawyer Alexandra Kotzamanis, on the legislative regulations that have been made or not made in EU countries for euthanasia, which we convey to you. Particularly:
- Euthanasia and assisted suicide are prohibited in Greece. There is no specialized law, so the crime of euthanasia is judged according to the general rules of the penal code for manslaughter.
- France: Active euthanasia and assisted suicide are prohibited, and passive euthanasia has been allowed since 2005. Patients are free to express their will to skip or discontinue treatment.
- United Kingdom: Euthanasia and assisted suicide are crimes of homicide, but the right to refuse treatment by patients with an incurable disease is recognized, so the doctor must respect the patient's decision to discontinue treatment.
- Netherlands: Euthanasia and assisted suicide have been allowed in people over the age of 18 since 2002, and in 2014 it has been allowed in children over the age of 12. The terms “active” and “passive” euthanasia are not used because they were considered too confusing. According to the law, euthanasia means the administration of a lethal dose by the medical staff to the patient, at the express request of the latter. For the application of euthanasia, some basic conditions must be met cumulatively: the existence of an incurable disease for which there is no cure, the disease to cause unbearable pain, the patient's will to be continuous and persistent and the patient to be aware of what he is saying.
source: CITIZEN
