Report Shows 80 Percent of New Zealanders Are against Legalizing Assisted Suicide

Michelle Kaufman : Aug 9, 2017
LifeSiteNews.com

More than 21,000 people—including medical professionals and organizations—made a written submission. Eighty percent were opposed to assisted suicide and/or euthanasia legislation.

(Wellington, New Zealand)—[LifeSiteNews] Eighty percent of New Zealanders who responded to a petition on the issue of ending one's life were opposed to legalizing assisted suicide and euthanasia, says a report by the Health Committee. (Photo: Euthanasia/ Shutterstock/via LifeSiteNews.com)

The results were part of a report composed in response to a petition presented to the government in June 2015 by past Minister of Parliament Maryan Street.

That petition, which had 8,974 signatures, requested "that the House of Representatives investigate fully public attitudes towards the introduction of legislation which would permit medically-assisted dying in the event of a terminal illness or an irreversible condition which makes life unbearable."

In order to fulfil the request of the petition, a Health Committee was established to investigate assisted death in New Zealand. The Committee began receiving written submissions from the public in August 2015.

More than 21,000 people—including medical professionals and organizations—made a written submission. Eighty percent were opposed to assisted suicide and/or euthanasia legislation.

Opposition was largely based on concerns about vulnerable people, especially the elderly, disabled and those with mental illnesses.

The Committee also noted that some "argued that life has an innate value and that introducing assisted dying and euthanasia would explicitly undermine that idea."

Widening access to larger groups of people over time was also a concern.

Submissions made in favor of changing the law to allow for assisted suicide and euthanasia often cited the right to individual autonomy. Those who held this view believe they should have the choice to end their life when they wish.

Those in favor of assisted suicide and/or euthanasia also mentioned fear of pain or watching a loved one suffer a painful death as a reason for support.

Loss of dignity was referred to by those who favor a change in legislation. According to the report, "dignity was acknowledged as being specific to each person, so it was up to each individual to define what dignity meant for them."

While the Health Committee report does not offer a final recommendation to the government on assisted suicide or euthanasia, it did give specific recommendations regarding palliative care...

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