Assisted suicide advocates are attempting to bootstrap onto legislation that would outlaw Internet suicide predation, a clause explicitly permitting suicide tourism. Here’s the proposed amendment—look for “Exceptions to Offence of Assisted Suicide”:
Notwithstanding sections 49 to 51, no offence shall have been committed if assistance is given to a person to commit suicide who is suffering from a confirmed, incurable and disabling illness which prevents him from carrying through his own wish to bring his life to a close, if the person has received certification from a coroner who has investigated the circumstances, and satisfied himself that it is indeed the free and settled wish of the person that he brings his life to a close.
This is really shameful—trying to legally boost people to take their ill and disabled friends or relatives to Switzerland in order to return home in the baggage compartment. And of course if this were to become law, it would be no time at all before the usual suspects started agitating for formal legalization. After all, if people are going to be sanctioned for assisting in suicide, the argument will go, why not let it be done at home?
Note that the law, if passed, would not be limited to the terminally ill. (Like I always say.) And what makes anyone think coroners are trained to determined whether someone’s suicide desire is his or her “free and settled wish.” Coroners aren’t mental health professionals. Good grief!
Culture of death? Wesley, what culture of death?
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