A controversial pro-euthanasia campaigner from Australia, dubbed Dr Death, brought the first of his suicide workshops to the UK. He is preparing to give talks on suicide methods at venues across the UK after being allowed into the country. He has a seven-day visa and with his partner Fiona Short intends to visit Brighton, Stroud and Glasgow to give his presentations.
Dr Philip Nitschke, 61, from Darwin, is the founder of 'right-to-die' organisation Exit International. He was questioned at Heathrow Airport earlier but was allowed to enter the country. His long standing campaign for euthanasia to be legalised has already helped four patients to kill themselves when the practice was legal in the North Territory in 1996, before the law was overturned nine months later in March 1997 by the Federal Government.
Dr Nitschke stated that he is thinking of forsaking his native Australia and moving to Britain because Britain has an ‘enlightened’ attitude to assisted suicide!
(http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/mar/29/assisted-suicide-doctor-philip-nitschke)
It is believed that the visit of Dr Nitschke is a part of a concerted campaign to influence public opinion prior to attempt to legalise assisted suicide through the UK’s Coroners and Justice Bill, which is currently going through Parliament.
At his first talk in Bournemouth, Dorset, today, he demonstrated his DIY suicide kit which includes an 'exit bag' and 'Peaceful Pills'. The 'exit bag' is a large bag placed over the head and filled with inert gas. 'Peaceful Pills' are a lethal barbiturate product which suppresses the nervous system which is used in countries where euthanasia is legalised.
He has also promoted a machine that tests drugs to make sure they would be strong enough to kill a person. He told his audience:
'Some people say suicide is a selfish act but not all suicide is bad. People who want to censor it are effectively saying "no one should end their life".
‘The society which forces people to live on against their will is a cruel and inhumane society. I'm putting the case that it makes sense for some already unwell Britons to be given information.
'If you put things in place, if you travel abroad, get drugs, bring them home and put them away then take them when you're ready then you've done nothing wrong.’
(http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1177468/Dr-Death-holds-British-DIY-suicide-workshop.html)
Dr Nitschke co-wrote The Peaceful Pill eHandbook, which gives more information about ways to end your life. The handbook is banned in Australia.
The doctor’s activities have been condemned by pro-life and church groups.
Anthony Pennicott, from the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in Bournemouth said:
‘This is not the answer. The issue should be debated in a more sane, orderly manner.
‘We have every sympathy and compassion for people who are facing the indescribable pain of dying or seeing a relative dying; obviously I have seen that myself. Allowing people to take their own lives legally is opening up all sorts of options which could be abused, especially in the case of vulnerable people.
‘As well as being against religious principles this is absolutely inhumane. The repercussions are going to be alarmingly dangerous.’
Jo Cartwright, from Dignity and Dying, said: ‘What he is doing is irresponsible and unlawful and we had hoped that he would be deported.’
Campaign director for Care Not Killing Dr Peter Saunders said:
‘Nitschke is an extremist and self-publicist who is on public record as approving suicide pills for the depressed, elderly, bereaved and troubled teens.
‘It's most unfortunate that he's been given a platform here and his promotion of suicide may shortly become illegal under measures of the Coroners and Justice Bill currently going through Parliament.’
(http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/5267126/Pro-euthanasia-doctor-to-give-talks-in-UK.html)
Alex Russell, the vicar of Pennington and chaplain of Oak Haven Hospice in Lymington, Hampshire, said: 'I would always defend someone's right to voice an opinion about something and to say controversial things.
'The difficulty may be if people who are psychologically unable to think as clearly as they might, or people who are still quite young and forming their opinions, might be influenced by him inappropriately.'
(http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/8033447.stm)
In the UK, assisted suicide is illegal with a maximum imprisonment of 14 years. Under the new Coroners and Justice Bill, websites that encourage or help people to commit suicide could also be outlawed.
However, the former health secretary Patricia Hewitt has recently tabled an amendment to the proposed legislation to allow people to take family members abroad for assisted suicide without prosecution.
Daily Telegraph
Daily Telegraph (Commentary)
Care Not Killing
http://www.carenotkilling.org.uk/?show=725
Scotsman
http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/MSP-39horrified39---suicide.5230968.jp
Independent