A controversial euthanasia campaigner has advised a York audience of about 40 people to learn how to end their own lives peacefully.
Dr Philip Nitschke of the right-to-die organisation Exit International, said yesterday that elderly and ill people should avoid “falling into the trap” of leaving it too late and putting close relatives at risk of prosecution by asking them to assist in their suicide.
He told the meeting at the Priory Street Centre that he was not assisting in suicide, which could lead to his prosecution, but merely providing information so people could make an informed choice.
The Australian doctor was conducting the fourth and final public meeting and seminar of his tour of Britain, which has attracted criticism from churchpeople including the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu.
The initial hour-long talk was open to anyone free of charge. Those staying for the seminar had to be aged over 50, pay £40 and sign a disclaimer form.
Dr Nitschke, also known as Dr Death, thanked the Priory Street Centre for letting him use the venue, saying many venues had granted permission in the past only to withdraw it later.
He gave out detailed information about which drugs and gases could be used to end one’s life peacefully. He also told how in Australia’s Northern Territory, he had legally assisted four people in ending their lives before a law allowing this was overturned by the Federal Government.
People emerging from the meeting backed Dr Nitschke’s right to hold it. June Capaldi, 75, of Acomb, said: “I agree with him. People should have the right to choose to die with dignity. Everyone should have that choice.”
Joyce Pickard, 90, former head teacher of the Mount School and a member of Dignity in Dying, formerly the Voluntary Euthanasia Society, said she had supported the visit, although she had not learnt anything new during what had been a “slick presentation”.
• Anyone experiencing feelings of depression and contemplating suicide can phone the Samaritans on 020 8394 8300.
Church offers an alternative view
A CHRISTIAN doctor will reply to the points raised by Dr Nitschke at a meeting at a York church tomorrow night.
Elim Church is partnering with Ark Church and Clifton Parish Church to host the One Voice event at 7.30pm at Clifton Parish Church, which will counter the doctor’s arguments.
The speaker will be Dr John Patrick, who retired from the University of Ottawa in June 2002 after being associate professor in clinical nutrition in the Department of Biochemistry and Paediatrics for twenty years.
He speaks frequently to Christian and secular groups and is able to communicate effectively on moral issues in medicine and culture and the integration of faith and science.
Right to discuss the great taboo
DEATH is one of the last great taboos. It will come to us all. Yet it is a subject many of us, understandably, find difficult to face up to.
Some – the very elderly, or those with terminal or incurable illnesses – have no choice but to confront the fact of their own mortality, however. And for a small percentage of those people, the right to choose the manner or time of their death can seem hugely important.
The law on suicide in this country is confusing. Suicide itself is not illegal, but helping or encouraging someone to commit suicide is.
In his native Australia, Dr Philip Nitschke is known as ‘Dr Death’. The founder of the right-to-die organisation Exit International, he legally helped four patients in Australia’s Northern Territory end their own lives before a euthanasia law was overturned.
Yesterday he held a seminar in York at which he gave detailed information about which drugs and gases could best be used to end your own life peacefully.
His visit to the city was hugely controversial, and condemned by the Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu, among others.
Yet Dr Nitschke says he broke no law: he did not help or encourage anyone to commit suicide; he only gave them information about what to do if they wanted to.
We live in a country which values free debate and discussion. Many may not like Dr Nitschke’s message. But we think it right that this last and greatest taboo should be able to be discussed in this way.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel