The Anonymous Widower

Assisted Suicide

Debbie Purdy has won a case in the House of Lords, which aims to get the law on assisted suicide clarified.

I’m all for complete freedom of personal action and I think that as it is our body, it is our decision what we do with it. And if someone helps us to commit suicide then so be it.

But what would actually happen now, if you helped your lifelong partner to commit suicide.  The media is dominated by cases like that of Miss Purdy and others who have or want to go to Dignitas in Switzerland and none of these have resulted in any prosecution.  But there are a few cases, although I can’t locate one at present, where the act has taken place in the UK and prosecution has occurred.  My memory says that sentences have not been heavy.

I know quite a few judges, because my late wife was a barrister, and talk to them about cases like this and they will say that the reason there are so few prosecutions is that juries will not convict.  There was a poll in The Times, which said that 74 % of people are in favour.

So to prosecute will just be a waste of public money, as well as not being the public interest.

But when my time is up, I will not be taking the early exit.

Why?

There is nothing there and even a very poor and painful life is better than no life at all.

July 31, 2009 - Posted by AnonW | News | Death, Law, Suicide