Right to Life New Zealand Inc.
17 September 2008
Media Release
Dr Philip Nitschke [Dr Death] Suicide Handbook - The Peaceful Pill Approved
Right to Life is disappointed that the Classification Review Board has upheld the classification of "The Peaceful Pill
Handbook [Revised New Zealand Edition]
On the 8 May the Office of Film and Literature [OFLC], classified the book as R18. Right to Life appealed this decision
to the Classification Review Board.
It is the opinion of Right to Life that the book should have been classified as objectionable and banned. The book
violates the Films and Classification Act 1993 by promoting extreme violence against one self and encouraging a criminal
act namely smuggling Nembutal a Class C prohibited drug into New Zealand from Mexico.
Both the Chief Censor and the Review Board have by these deplorable decisions failed to protect the vulnerable in our
community, those suffering depression, mental illness and the aged and ill. The book promotes suicide as an option for
the seriously ill and elderly. The book promotes a culture of death undermines our right to life, attacks the common
good and promotes suicide, self murder as a human right.
The community should be deeply concerned at the appalling failure of these two important government organisations to
exercise their considerable statutory powers to protect the vulnerable in society. The government has a duty to the
community to appoint to these important statutory bodies persons of integrity and courage who will faithfully protect
the community from a culture of death which is a threat to every citizen.
The Board in its decision stated; "The authors note that the book is not intended for..or irrational or people suffering
psychiatric illness or depression. That in the Board's view, however, does not stop that sector of the community from
having access to the book." Why would anyone want to give this book to a depressed or mentally ill person?
'The dominant effect of the publication is a lay person's guide to end of life options. It is also to advocate law
reform in the area."
The Chief Censor in his initial decision stated that the publication is a well intentioned book that enables the
seriously ill and elderly "to make carefully and fully informed decisions about their own life and death."
Right to Life calls for the government to follow the example of the Australian government and restrict the activities of
Dr Philip Nitschke who is an evangelist for a culture of death and a threat to the weak and vulnerable in society.
ends