Assisted-suicide ban struck down by B.C. court: Judge rules law discriminates against the disabled

Daizies · #1 Jun 15, '12, 2:57 pm

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/britis...de-ruling.html

Quote:

The ruling will, if it stands up to an appeal, put Canada in the company of the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Switzerland, countries which permit physician-assisted suicide.

Discriminates against the disabled... sheesh next we'll be doing it for them

Gods_Peace · #2 Jun 15, '12, 4:03 pm

It's definitely not discrimination.

Julia Mae · #3 Jun 15, '12, 4:10 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daizies

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/britis...de-ruling.html

Discriminates against the disabled... sheesh next we'll be doing it for them

Interesting:

Quote:

In her ruling, Smith noted suicide itself is not illegal, and therefore the law against assisted suicide contravenes Section 15 of the charter, which guarantees equality, because it denies physically disabled people like Taylor the same rights as able-bodied people who can take their own lives, she ruled.

Isn't it generally a crime in most states in the US?

**Dale_M** · #4 Jun 15, '12, 4:19 pm

According to the news article, Judge Lynn Smith's ruling was based on the fact that suicide is legal in Canada. Therefore the law against assisted suicide contravenes Section 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which guarantees equality, because it denies physically disabled people like Taylor the same rights as able-bodied people who can take their own lives.

The judge also invoked Section 7 of the charter, saying the law against assisted suicide could force persons to commit suicide early in their disease, before they lost the ability to kill themselves.

Here is a link to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/charter/

jediliz · #5 Jun 15, '12, 4:29 pm

Doesn't this judge know that many disabled people do NOT want to KILL THEMSELVES?

**Holly3278** · #6 Jun 15, '12, 4:33 pm

This is so sickening. People should not be allowed to have a physician assist them in ending their own life. In fact, they shouldn't end their own life at all. Instead, we should be giving support to disabled people so that their lives are better. I am a disabled person and I would never kill myself just because I felt that my burdens were too great.

Julia Mae · #7 Jun 15, '12, 4:54 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by jediliz

Doesn't this judge know that many disabled people do NOT want to KILL THEMSELVES?

What does that have to do with anything? No one is saying they should or are required to. The judge said that they have the right to choose to do so and have the right to assistance if their disability prevents them from doing so.

Julia Mae · #8 Jun 15, '12, 4:56 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holly3278

I would never kill myself just because I felt that my burdens were too great.

Mostly these people want to leave before their burdens are shoved off on other people. OTOH, I'll assume you don't have ALS, either.

Lokabrenna · #9 Jun 15, '12, 4:57 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holly3278

I am a disabled person and I would never kill myself just because I felt that my burdens were too great.

I don't think it's just about one's burdens being too great. I am also disabled, but I'm one of the lucky ones in that I have a mild form of cerebral palsy. Some of these conditions leave their sufferers in constant pain or completely immobilized. I don't remember the details, but there was a girl who was in such constant pain from her condition that they had to keep breaking her bones to give her some relief.

That is no way to live.

I think that for some, a natural death is a luxury.

On the other hand, I'm also concerned that patients may be pressured to end their lives. I know there looks to be like there will be safeguards in place to prevent this, but call me cynical.