Can a Belgian hospital or nursing home refuse to take part in euthanasia deaths? The law can determine the answer to that question entirely by a decision of the parliament or the courts. The hospital, the aged care facility or, more appropriately, the network to which they belong, may also decide for themselves. If that decision is at odds with the law, then there may be consequences - but that does not take away the institution's right to make that determination. What most certainly may be at peril in such circumstances would be the institution's right to make such a decision without loss of freedom or privilege on a par with similar other institutions that have taken the opposite view.The newly installed Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels, Jozef De Kesel, has prized open this 'can of worms' in Belgium in his recent statement asserting the right of Catholic hospitals and aged care services to refuse to co-operate. That they currently do co-operate - many under formal protocols - is a significant concern but not the focus of this article. Continue reading

Irish Minister calls for a public forum on assisted suicide and euthanasia bill The Christmas and New Year holidays are an interesting time for politics and politicians. Usually newspaper columns and electronic media are taken over by holiday events and other 'good news' stories. Even when venturing into politics, journalists are most often publishing reflective 'the year that was' stories rounded out with party leaders good wishes to all.It is also a really good time for political parties to release those really uncomfortable and even embarrassing 'mea culpas' on poor performances, errors in judgement, or even minor scandals in the hope that the story is quickly lost with a minimum of embarrassment or discomfort. Continue reading

"there is no free choice as there is only one choice." The newly installed Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels, Jozef De Kesel has begun his time as the leader of Belgium's Catholics in what is seen by some as a controversial manner.Installed on the 12th of December, in one of his first interviews with the media, the new Archbishop asserted the Church's opposition to both abortion and euthanasia.No controversy there. Like it or not, no-one will be in any doubt that De Kesel was simply stressing the 'party-line', as it were. What is controversial, though it should not be so, is that De Kesel stressed that Catholic hospitals and care institutions have the right to refuse to co-operate with both euthanasia and abortion. Continue reading

Paul Russell Irish Deputy, John Halligan tabled his Dying with Dignity Bill 2015 in the Irish Lower House (Dail) on the 15th of December.Halligan had been telling the Irish Press that a bill was imminent for much of this last year claiming that he had been working with Exit International's European representative, Tom Curran and two solicitors to draft the new bill. Continue reading

Distelmans' 'bait and switch' as calls for 'dialogue' in Belgium continue to grow by Paul Russell: 'But let us into the debates play the ball instead of the man.' Says Dr Wim Distlemans in De Morgen in reply to Professor Theo Boers' observations in yesterday's Belgian press about the bungled operation of the Belgian Euthanasia Review Commission under Distelmans' leadership. Continue reading

"The reality is, a portion of our population will suicide and I don't think we should make it so hard." Who said that? You're guessing; putting two and two together, noting the author of this article and, hand quickly in the air from the back of the class you yell: 'Nitschke!'And you are right. The quote comes from a Guardian newspaper article on the 12th of December - two days ago. And not a word from the suicide prevention agencies. Even those like Beyond Blue and the Black Dog Institute - fine organisations that spoke out against Nitschke in the Nigel Brayley case in 2014 - total silence. Continue reading

Belgian MP calls for a review of the euthanasia law The open letter from medical professionals critical of the application of the Belgian law on euthanasia to people suffering psychologically has re-ignited debate on the safety and practice of the 2002 law.Following the letter, Christian Democrat MP, Els Van Hoof, raises significant further questions in the Belgian journal Knack. Van Hoof is severely critical of the development of the Belgian law and the amendment to include children in 2013 when, at no time over the more than a dozen years of operation has the law been formally reviewed. Continue reading

Paul Russell The Flemish Newspaper, De Morgen published an open letter by a distinguished and long list of 65 Belgian Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Philosophers and others calling for the 2002 law on euthanasia to exclude euthanasia for psychological suffering.Triggered on this occasion by two contemporary situations, it follows an earlier letter in September 2015 published in the medical magazine Artsenkrant where the group warned doctors about the uncertainty of legal protection for euthanasia for these same reasons. That letter responded an academic paper published in the British Medical Journal in July 2015 by Dr Lieve Thienpont reviewing euthanasia requests from 100 Belgian patients. Thienpont, notably, was involved in the approval of all 48 successful requests (and also that of 'Laura' - see below). Continue reading

New Bill in Australian Senate Restoring Territory Rights (Assisted Suicide Legislation) Bill 2015Introduced by Senator David Leyonjelm (LDP NSW) into the Australian Senate, 2nd December 2015. Continue reading

by Michael Cook This article first appeared on the Bioedge Blog Ed: Michael Cook bells the cat here: Whether it is Nitschke and Exit or even pro-death groups within countries where euthanasia is legalised, there will always be those for whom the law is never enough.The leading Dutch right-to-die society is seeking talks with the Dutch medical association (KNMG) for approval of a "peaceful pill" which will allow its members to kill themselves without the help of a doctor. Continue reading