David Seymour’s Bill would undermine suicide prevention – Euthanasia Free NZ
The number of suicide deaths in New Zealand have increased for the third year in a row. The provisional suicide statistics released today show:
• 606 people died by suicide in the 12 months to June 2017 – almost twice the road toll (363 for the 12 months to 28 August).
• Males are represented in about three-quarters of suicide deaths.
• The highest number of suicide deaths are among 20 – 24 year-olds.
• Maori continue to have the highest suicide rate of all ethnic groups.
“It is concerning that there is an assisted suicide bill before Parliament, despite our high suicide rate”, says Renee Joubert, executive officer of Euthanasia-Free NZ.
“Essentially the only difference between suicide and assisted suicide is the number of people involved in bringing about the death. In both cases the person likely desires death due to feeling that they’re suffering unbearably and/or have no hope for a better future.
“If suicide is to be prevented, assisted suicide should be prevented also.
“There is definitely a demand for ‘assisted dying’ as a means of suicide”, says Ms Joubert.
“We regularly receive phone calls and emails from suicidal people inquiring about ways to access euthanasia because they can’t bring themselves to executing other suicide methods. They usually start out talking only about their emotional reasons, and later mention physical medical conditions that would make them eligible for assisted suicide and euthanasia under David Seymour’s End of Life Choice Bill.
“Even if depression would be explicitly excluded from the eligibility criteria, suicidal people would still be at risk of accessing ‘assisted dying’. Depression and suicidal ideation can too easily be denied, hidden, dismissed or misdiagnosed. Even mild, subclinical depression could still affect a person’s will to live.
‘Assisted dying’ legislation would send the message that death is an appropriate response to suffering – a dangerous message to people who are emotionally vulnerable.
Such a law would change the role of doctors from only helping to prevent suicide, to also facilitating suicide.
Euthanasia-Free NZ call on politicians and the public to reject ACT MP David Seymour’s End of Life Choice Bill in principle.
“If suicide is to be prevented, assisted suicide should be prevented.”
This is an illogical and stupid statement. There is a world of difference between the suicide of a person who is temporarily or otherwise not in a sane state of mind, and someone who can show that they are in a fully sane state and wish to terminate their existence . What is at stake here is a sane persons absolute right to control their body. I wonder what your stance is on abortion? What secret agendas are concealed here? Do you have some religious agenda? Why you think you should have some right to veto my rights to control my existence , I do not understand. I suspect some underlying psychological issues that you would be better off being treated for .Seek help!!
Only 10% of New Zealanders die in excruciating pain and if this is how you choose to spend your last days I will right to the death for your right to do so.
Meanwhile get out of my way sadist.
Spot on! If you wish to die in agony to become “closer to God” that’s your choice, not mine.
I agreed with this legislation when Peter Brown proposed it, although I didn’t agree with any of his other political views.
I agreed with this legislation when Maryan Street proposed it, and I agreed with most of her other political views.
I still agree with this legislation now that it’s been proposed again by David Seymour, even though I don’t agree with him about anything else.
This is not a “left or right” issue for me. It’s about having the freedom to make my own end-of-life choices and for others who wish to, to have the same rights.
I’m not a religious person and I don’t people who are making my personal end-of-life decisions.
I have waited a day to see if Renee Joubert gives a disclaimer regarding any religious bias.As there was none I have googled “Renee Joubert” and come up with multiple references to” Catholic news, gathering at St Marks Church,abortion. Brian Gaynor writes a column in the NZ Herald about stocks. As he is involved in the business [Milford Asset Management] ,he always offers a disclaimer to that effect. It is intellectually honest to do so. Not so with Joubert.As a previous Catholic [I experienced an intellectual intervention at 17 and became an atheist] I understand the true nature of Catholic thought and indoctrination. The plain truth is that with Catholicism suffering is considered desireable. After all, Jesus suffered for us, so why should we not all suffer for him? And only God has the right to terminate life.Suicide is a mortal sin. This doctrine underlies the weasel Euthanasia-Free NZ.It would not matter what cast iron guarantees were given in legislation to protect aspiring euthanasia candidates, devotees of the medieval religion of Catholicism will always oppose it.I have no problem with people practicing a primitive religion .I would not dream of infringing on their rights to be fully in control of their body.Why then do they persist in trying to control what I do with mine? PLEASE EXPLAIN!!!
Evidence from Oregon, where assisted dying has been law for 20 years, and from other overseas jurisdictions where it is legal show no link between these policies and suicide rates. Why do NZ commentators opposed to legalisation of assisted dying act as if there is no overseas evidence to draw on? We are not pioneers in the field, we are laggards. Unlike our own half-baked inquiry, headed by former Jesuit trainee priest Simon O’Connor, the Canadian and Victorian inquiries found the scare-mongering by opponents was unfounded.
I still have not heard an explanation from you Joubert about your hidden agendas. So , on a kinder note, I will assume you genuinely want to stop suicide. The answer lies not in suppressing euthanasia, but can be directly attributed to our economic system of Capitalism,that produces homelessness,poverty,inequality, incarceration, racialism,an aggressive predatory foreign policy , and last but not least a toxic effect on the mental health of the population.Socialism will remove all these and minimize suicide.Your present preoccupation on a non existent afterlife is to be regretted.There is no “Pie in the sky when you die”. You remind me of Oliver Twist approaching the Beadle and demanding another bowl of gruel. The greedy little scoffer had already eaten a bowl ! And you are already enjoying a life ! Why should you get another one? I find this puzzling . I am quite happy to greet oblivion when I eventually expire.
But you say, there must be a god,otherwise who created the wonders of the universe ? But then, who created God? Oops! That question is a bit awkward!?
Considering the homeless and the rough sleepers, wouldn’t it be lovely to throw open the doors of the churches to house these people? Jesus would have done so would he not? Italy has many living in poverty. Why not use the treasures of the Vatican to help reduce this ? So, much to think about Joubert???