Euthanasia

Women’s Forum Australia is opposed to the practice of euthanasia and assisted suicide, and any legislation that legalises such practices.

Women’s Forum acknowledges that euthanasia and assisted suicide are practised in Australia, despite prohibition. However, we believe that legalisation does not result in ’regulation and control’ of the practice. Research suggests that hidden euthanasia occurs in countries where it is legal, such as in the Netherlands, as many cases of euthanasia are not reported to the authorities.

Women’s Forum believes that legalisation sends a very clear and public message that some lives are less worthy than others and that suicide can be a positive solution.

Quick Facts

• DEFINITION: Euthanasia – as an act or failure to act which intentionally causes a person’s death; Assisted Suicide – providing the means for someone to kill themselves with knowledge of that person’s intention. For example, an individual provides drugs to a person knowing that the person intends to commit suicide.
• The rates of omission of treatment with the primary purpose to cause death without explicit request increased, from 2,670 deaths in 1990 to 14,200 deaths in 1995 (The Netherlands).[1]
• Even under legalisation the most problematic deaths associated with euthanasia remain hidden, such as deaths that breach the law that requires a free and voluntary decision. [2]

Submissions

Inquiry into the Rights of the Terminally Ill (234 KB)

WF Published Articles

Canberra Times_op ed_Katrina_25 6 08 (96 KB)

Useful Websites

http://www.euthanasiaprevention.on.ca/