Affirm Dignity | End Euthanasia
Affirm that the right to life cannot include a right to die
Consider every suicide a tragedy, and we recall the international obligation on States to take measures to prevent suicide
Condemn the application of euthanasia to children, vulnerable adults, and those who have not given their consent;
Affirm that palliative care is prevention and relief of suffering, which does not hasten nor postpone death (as defined by the World Health Organization)
Deplore the promotion of practices like euthanasia or assisted suicide
Denounce the slippery slope of legalized euthanasia which results in pressure on the vulnerable to die
Believe society owes those suffering better options than euthanasia, such as palliative care
Call for the prohibition of euthanasia and assisted suicide and further investment in compassionate alternatives which Affirm Dignity.
The right to life is a fundamental and inherent human right, recognized by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and guaranteed by all human rights treaties. People at all stages of life and in all regions of the world are increasingly vulnerable to assaults on this foundational right. Without respect for human life, there can be no respect for human dignity. The most vulnerable deserve our compassionate love and support. There is nothing progressive about a society that refuses to care for them.
We believe that all people have inherent dignity, no matter their age or health condition. A fair and just society cares for its most vulnerable. Once we open the door to intentional killing, there is no logical stopping point. This is not just a hypothesis. In countries such as Belgium and the Netherlands, euthanasia cases have increased a hundredfold since legalization.
According to the Supreme Court of India’s 2018 judgment in Common Cause v. Union of India, "no one is permitted to cause death of another person including a physician by administering any lethal drug even if the objective is to relieve the patient from pain and suffering."
ADF India fully endorses the campaign to Affirm Dignity and End Euthanasia.
Who has dignity? What does it mean for us to affirm the inherent dignity of every person? What does 'dying with dignity' really mean?
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