by Paul Russell: New Zealand born South African based euthanasia advocate Sean Davison is in the press again, once more seemingly stepping across the line into assisting in suicide.In 2011, Davison was convicted in a New Zealand Court of assisting with the suicide of his own mother in 2006; a matte that came to light in the review of a draft of Davison's book, Before we say goodbye'. Davison admitted in 2010 to crushing 18 morphine tablets and mixing it into a glass of water before handing it to his mother, who had cancer. He was committed to home detention for five months before returning to South Africa and founding a 'right-to-die' movement.In September last year, Davison admitted at the world 'right-to-die' conference in Chicago that he had assisted in the suicide death of quadriplegic medical doctor in 2013. Australia's other 'Dr Death' Rodney Syme, gave a talk at that event was entitled: Challenging the Legal System - and getting away with it. Perhaps, Davison heeded Syme's advice as, on that occasion, no charges were ever brought against him.Only a few days before Davison made this revelation to his international cohort, his Dignity SA twitter feed hand-on-heart tweeted: "Dignity SA is committed to good palliative care. Assisted Dying (sic) is a last resort for a small % for whom palliative care is not enough." The doctor in question was not terminally ill. So much for standards.This week, according to South Africa's IOL news online, an anonymous caller had tipped off the Cape Times that Davison was about to assist in another suicide, this time of a patient in hospice care, apparently in his own home.When contacted by the Cape Times, Davison would neither confirm nor deny. However, he effectively admitted that something was afoot by telling the press: Continue reading

As New Zealanders await the judgement in the case of Lecretia Seales who has appealed to the NZ Courts to allow her doctor to assist in her suicide without legal penalty, the country's most senior palliative care specialist issues a stern warning. According to One News, the chair of the Australia and New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine, Dr Amanda Landers, told Seven Sharp euthanasia presents too many grey areas."How can we make sure that people aren't being coerced - the most vulnerable sector of our society?" Continue reading

South African Health Minister determined to stop assisted suicide In welcome news today from South Africa's News 24, the Health Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi, signalled an appeal to a recent court ruling that allowed for Assisted Suicide in the African nation.The recent court ruling on an appeal by Pretorian Lawyer, Robin Stransham-Ford, that he be allowed to die by assisted suicide or euthanasia effectively struck a broad blow to the protection of human persons in South Africa because, contrary to the assertions of the judge, his decision was not limited to the person in question. Effectively, Judge Fabricius legislated from the bench. Continue reading

By Alex Schadenberg International Chair - Euthanasia Prevention CoalitionJustice Hans Fabricius of the South Africa High Court signed a court order approving the euthanasia death of Robin Stransham-Ford who was living with Prostate Cancer. Continue reading

We reported recently that the head of South Africa's pro-euthanasia organisation had admitted at the Chicago gathering of the World Federation of Right to Die Societies (WFTRDS) that he had assisted in the death of a South African doctor in 2013. We believe that this death should be investigated by the South African authorities and, if what Davison is saying is found to be true, he should be charged under South Africa's criminal code.Davison himself seems not too concerned, telling South African media that, "I would be worried if there was something to worry about." He also curiously stated that he would not be willing to do the same again. Continue reading

By Dr Kevin Fitzpatrick (first published at Alex Schadenberg's blog )Director of EPC - International and a leader of Not Dead Yet UK. Health24.com (23/9/14) reports a story from SAPA (the South African Press Association):A doctor, previously convicted in New Zealand for assisting his mother's death now admits helping a South African quadriplegic to commit suicide.Dr Anrich Burger, quadriplegic after a car accident in 2005, worked for Health24's CyberDoc. He died in November 2013. Sean Davison's spokesperson confirmed he had aided Burger to die, after Davison spoke at last week's euthanasia conference in Chicago, US. Davison said: Continue reading

By Paul Russell: South Africa's News24 website is reporting that 'Dignity SA' founder, Sean Davison admitted in Chicago at the World Federation of Right to Die Societies (WFRTDS) biannual meeting, that he assisted a quadriplegic medical doctor to end his own life in 2013.Sean Davison, originally from New Zealand, was convicted in 2011 of the assisted suicide of his 85 year old Mother in New Zealand and sentenced to five months home detention which he completed before his return to South Africa. Continue reading