Doc. 8951 3rd édition
14 May 2001

Legalisation of euthanasia in Europe

Written Declaration No. 312

3^rd edition, originally tabled on 25 January 2001

This written declaration commits only the members who have signed it

      As parliamentarians of the Council of Europe we are responsible for guarding the heritage of the European and universal systems of protection of human rights as rights coming not from the will of the states and parliaments, but from the very dignity of every human being.

      This is the reason the undersigned protest against every step toward legalisation of euthanasia in Europe. This instrument of completely false care and love leads the countries of our continent to great violations of human dignity and right to life. This kind of subjective legal regulations effectively open the door to euthanasia for anyone who can reasonably claim to be “suffering without hope of recovery”.

      The legalisation of euthanasia in the Netherlands is a first step to promote this ethical mistake around Europe.

      The undersigned, members of the Assembly, underline that the promotion of euthanasia infringes the European Convention of Human Rights, especially on Article 2, where it is stated that Everyone’s right to life shall be protected by law.

      Support of euthanasia evades this Convention, proposing a category of individuals – handicapped, aged persons or persons in a coma – who are to be treated as non human-beings. Acceptance of euthanasia leads us very easily to a new totalitarianism.

Signed : ¹

Libicki, Poland, EDG

Adamczyk, Poland, EPP/CD

Akçali, Turkey, EDG

Akgönenç, Turkey, EDG

Chapman, United Kingdom, EDG

Gogacz, Poland, EPP/CD

Hadjidemetriou, Cyprus, SOC

Jackson, United Kingdom, EDG

Kostytsky, Ukraine, EPP/CD

Kroupa, Czech Republic, EPP/CD

Krzaklewski, Poland, EPP/CD

Ouzky, Czech Republic, EDG

Polozhani, « the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia », EDG

Provera, Italy, LDR

Sinka, Latvia, EDG

Surján, Hungary, EPP/CD

Svoboda, Czech Republic, EPP/CD

Turini, Italy, EDG

Valleix, France, EDG

Wielowieyski, Poland, EPP/CD

Wilkinson, United Kingdom, EDG

Wojcik, Poland, EPP/CD

Smorawinski, Poland, EPP/CD

Smereczynska, Poland, EPP/CD

McNamara, United Kingdom, SOC

____________________

Total = 25

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group