A suicidal man is suing Switzerland, claiming a positive right to assisted suicide. His claim is not only that assisted suicide should be legal, but that the state has a duty to ensure its provision for anyone capable of deciding who wants to die. That really would lead to the death on demand ultimate logical destination toward which euthanasia advocates are taking us, whether all mean to or not. (I am of the view that some do—e.g. Philip Nitschke, who has said as much—and some don’t.)
The splendid Alliance Defense Fund has intervened with a very good brief as to why European law both does not compel the legalizing of assisted suicide nor creates a positive human right to assistance in killing themselves. (Yes, that is where the argument is now going.)
It’s a well written brief that the lay person can follow easily. If you are interested in the legal maneuverings in Europe, check out Gross v Switzerland, Written Observations of Third Party Intervenor.”
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