The inquiry into euthanasia, instigated by a 8795 signature petition to Parliament after the death of Lecretia Seales, started hearing submissions today. First to speak was Seale’s husband (now widower) Matt Vickers.
NZ Herald: Lecretia Seales’ husband makes emotional appeal to MPs about voluntary euthanasia
The husband of Lecretia Seales has made an emotional appeal to MPs to reform the law on voluntary euthanasia – saying fear and religious opposition should not deny others a choice.
Matt Vickers has travelled from his new home in New York and presented to Parliament’s health committee this morning, in front of a large number of media and members of the public.
“Why do we accept that the laws as they are force people to suffer against their wishes,” Vickers asked.
“I want to be crystal clear that Lecretia valued her life very much. She did not want to die…but she felt it was right for her to be able to choose the circumstances of her death.
“Assisted dying legislation is not a threat, but an opportunity.”
A large number of submissions against changing the law were based on religious reasons…
Probably organised opposition, as often happens with submissions to try and play the numbers card.
…Vickers said, and that was not a good enough.
“We live in a country with a plurality of religious beliefs and I think assisted dying legislation is the only way to respect that plurality.”
While a majority of submissions on voluntary euthanasia were from those opposed, Vickers said that was not a representation of wider society. Rather, it showed the depth of feeling on the issue.
Vickers urged members of the committee to examine the evidence on assisted dying in some US states and in European countries. Oregon’s experience proved there was no “slippery slope”, he said.
“In most cases it is impossible to justify the status quo,” he said.
“Why do we prohibit assisted dying when we know, both from [Lecretia’s court case] and now illustrated by examples in some of the submissions you have received, that between 5-8 per cent of all recorded suicides are ill New Zealanders who might have lived longer had assisted dying laws been in place.
“Why do we accept that the laws as they are force people to suffer against their wishes, when we know that palliative care can not help all people in all cases.”
There is video at Lecretia Seales’ husband makes emotional appeal to MPs about voluntary euthanasia.
Stuff also reports in Matt Vickers calls on MPs to have open mind about euthanasia: