Nationwide Debate Urged On Euthanasia

Nationwide Debate Urged On Euthanasia

The Voluntary Euthanasia Society Auckland Inc. (VES) is urging nationwide debate on euthanasia as Parliament prepares to consider the Death with Dignity Bill.

The society has written individually to all Members of Parliament seeking support for the Bill, at least in its early stages. And it is urging members of the public to lobby their MPs to vote for the Bill to go through to Select Committee hearings.

Says VES (Auckland) secretary and official spokesman, Jack Jones: ³We have asked MPs, irrespective of their own personal views, to vote in favour of the Bill proceeding to the Select Committee stage. The voluntary euthanasia movement believes that this would enable a comprehensive, nationwide debate, which has been too long avoided.

³We are urging people to contact their MPs urgently to seek their support for the Bill to pass through to Select Committee hearings where the ordinary New Zealander will have an opportunity to make submissions. This would allow the consciences of the public at large to be given expression.²

Mr Jones says that a national consensus can only emerge through wide public debate.

³It¹s Parliament¹s decision in the end,² he says, ³but an issue as important and sensitive as this requires the strongest possible guidance from the general public.²

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