ZB ZB
Live now
Start time
Playing for
End time
Listen live
Listen to NAME OF STATION
Up next
Listen live on
ZB

After landmark teen euthanasia case, campaigners demand clarification

Author
Hannah Bartlett,
Publish Date
Sun, 18 Sep 2016, 11:32AM
File photo (Getty Images)
File photo (Getty Images)

After landmark teen euthanasia case, campaigners demand clarification

Author
Hannah Bartlett,
Publish Date
Sun, 18 Sep 2016, 11:32AM

Anti-euthanasia campaigners are calling on New Zealand advocates of assisted dying to front up on whether they support the euthanasia of a teenager in Belgium.

The 17-year-old is the first minor to use new right-to-die laws in Belgium, where age restrictions on euthanasia were lifted two years ago.

Doctors in Belgium, can euthanase children of any age if they are incurably ill and experiencing unbearable physical suffering. 

As the health Select Committee considers New Zealand's laws on assisted suicide, Care Alliance secretary Matthew Jensen is asking ACT MP David Seymour, Maryan Street, and Matt Vickers - whose wife Lecretia Seales fought for the right to die in court - to say whether they support this case.

Jensen believes that there is no logical place to draw a line in law, and New Zealanders need to know whether the people advocating for a law change here think Belgium has got it right or wrong.

Alongside the Netherlands and Luxembourg, Belgium is one of the few European countries where euthanasia is legal.

 

Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you