What becomes crystal clear when any discussion begins on the subject of assisted suicide (or euthanasia) under strict conditions for people whose lives have become unbearable suffering is that Cypriot society is utterly unprepared.
Utterly immature, more accurately. The mere fact that it’s begun, however, is a step forward. In no country where this has been implemented is the discussion easy, as it touches on a whole host of issues. In any case, the conversation is primarily about a country’s capacity to implement appropriate enforcement mechanisms for relevant legislation.
What I don’t see how it relates to the issue is the establishment of a comprehensive palliative care system. This is something that should be self-evident and simply doesn’t exist. On the contrary: its absence constitutes yet another reason for someone who is suffering to choose euthanasia. In any case, if we want to approach this seriously, the one that must remain outside the discussion is the Church.
Otherwise, let’s not even start.
Γ. Σαβ.
