South Africa says assisted suicide will remain illegal

Last updated on: December 9, 2016 at 1:02 pm by CNA Daily News

South Africa says assisted suicide will remain illegal 2016-12-09T13:02:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Pretoria, South Africa, Dec 9, 2016 / 06:02 am (CNA/EWTN News).- While countries around the world such as Canada, Germany and Japan have passed legislation to legalize physician assisted suicide, one has ruled to reject it: South Africa.

The country's Supreme Court of Appeals overturned a high court ruling on Tuesday that would have allowed Robin Stransham-Ford, a 65-year-old retiree who had prostate cancer, to kill himself with the help of a doctor.

“A court addressing these issues needs to be aware of differing cultural values and attitudes within our diverse population,” the Supreme Court stated, according to the Daily Mail.

In addition, the court noted that in Stransham-Ford's case, the high court made their ruling on an “incorrect and restricted factual basis,” and that there was “no full and proper examination of the present state of our law in this difficult area.”

In 2015, the Pretoria High Court ruled that Stransham-Ford could end his life with medical assistance, stating he was living with unbearable pain. The ruling would have paved the way for assisted suicide legislation within the country.

However, before the court officially granted the order, Stransham-Ford had died. The government brought his case to the attention of the Supreme Court of Appeals, which officially overturned the pro-assisted suicide ruling on Tuesday.

Some euthanasia advocates, such as Dignity SA, expressed outrage in the new ruling, calling physician assisted suicide “a human rights issue.” The pro-assisted suicide organization voiced its disappointment, and said they might take the case to the country's constitutional court.

Retired Anglican archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa also voiced his support of physician assisted suicide, saying that he would “not wish to be kept alive at all costs.”

However, Justice Minister Michael Masutha expressed relief over the court’s decision, especially as it pertains to the country’s constitution.

“We are relieved that the SCA correctly stated the law as this decision could have far reaching implications on the constitutionally entrenched right to life and our common law crimes of murder and culpable homicide,” Justice Masutha said.

Among the reasons the Court of Appeals ruled against physician-assisted suicide was the chance that the acceptance of voluntary euthanasia would lead to eventual abuse and could overflow into far-reaching cases.

While physician-assisted suicide currently remains illegal in South Africa, the issue is gaining traction in other parts of the world. A handful of states in the U.S. have passed pro-euthanasia legislations over the past few years, while other countries – such as the Netherlands and Belgium – have accepted the practice since 2002.

Middle East - Africa

Previous Post

December 9, 2016

New Rockville Center bishop was baptized by Fulton Sheen

Next Post

December 9, 2016 As Vatican lights Christmas tree, Pope reflects on Nativity scene

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

How many people were saved in Noah's Ark?

Select your answer to see how you score.

6 12 8 10