The law as it stands on assisted suicide could not be clearer

Debbie Purdy has won the hearts of many aspiring people for the right
to die on their own terms ! Soon people here in UK would be able to have
assistance in dying and not having to travel all the way to Switzerland,
where it is lawful currently. The unanimous judgement from the law Lords
was a landmark decision but it was expected, the matter was when rather
than if. That opens up the age old debate whether it is morally correct
and whether even morals would be allowed to play into the matter. Many
would argue it is the liberty to choose for oneself what’s right for
oneself. It is one of the basic human rights, isn’t it.

Looking into the
plight of many of the long term suffering people whose lives have been
made a hell because of a multitude of chronic medical conditions or after
serious accidents, few would argue against giving them a right to chose an
honourable death. How many of us, if faced with such situations might not
even last a few weeks, what to talk about years of distress; and the added
pressure of being a burden on some loved one’s life. But is there a
parallel between allowing what seems to be right and what is in fact right
and how are we going to judge that , and who for that matter is going to
decide that. Say if for example we say seat belts and helmets should not
be compulsory while driving cars or bikes. Why should a person be fined
for not doing that when he knowingly accepts the risks associated with it
and he is not going to ask for compensation in case of an injury. Take it
to the extremes, why is smoking prohibited or even drugs? It’s not just
to help the perpetrator but also the society as a whole.

Now what is the general view about suicide or the person doing it. In all
societies and religions probably it is not viewed very highly unless being
done for a greater cause. Japanese kamikazes come into mind wreaking havoc
in the Pacific. Suicide bombers and attackers are another category. Whilst
being regarded as heroes and freedom fighters on one side and branded
terrorists in others’ views. Is life so worthless to lose it so easily.
Ask a person who has been granted one after a prolonged illness or even
hardship in life. Ask someone who conceives after countless years of
trying. Isn’t it a gift of God. Hence it shouldn’t be taken so lightly and
never so easily given away.

The argument again would go for a severely depressed person who has lost
all hope and another one who has been wronged by everyone. Life might have
been worthless for them. But still they can make good use of it, by
helping others. Maybe it can make them feel better. In the eastern
societies and in particular with Islamic background, suicide is taken akin
to cowardice, no matter how much you feel for the person’s circumstances
and how much you empathise with the deceased person’s relatives, you
wouldn’t regard that act as commendable. If you help someone to do that,
it wouldn’t just be a crime it would be morally and ethically wrong. Many
such situations might be regarded as a test from fate and people with
extreme will power and strength come through it. Some people might not
even let their disability come in the way of achieving things which a
normal person can only dream of. Stephen Hawking’s name comes to mind and
there would be no dearth of examples in the world.

Competing interests:
None declared