Dr Philip Nitschke Mexican Suicide Drug Trips

Dr Philip Nitschke Mexican Suicide Drug Trips

Right to Life supports the New Zealand Medical Council’s complaints to the Minister of Health at the proposal of Dr Nitschke, [Dr Death] visiting New Zealand conducting workshops promoting suicide and organising Mexican suicide drug trips for elderly and vulnerable New Zealanders. The Minister of Justice when asked by Right to Life in February 2006 to take action to prevent Dr Nitschke promoting suicide in New Zealand refused, stating that; “the right to freedom of expression is an established principle set out in the New Zealand Bill of Rights 1990. Discussing or publishing information on the topic of euthanasia in New Zealand is not illegal”. Right to Life believes that freedom of speech is a cherished human right in a free society and should be in harmony with the common good. All rights have corresponding duties.

The government has a duty to uphold the right to life of all New Zealanders from conception to natural death. Dr Nitschke represents a culture of death which is a threat to the lives of the elderly and the vulnerable, it is time for the government to act.

Dr Nitschke is organising trips to Mexico for New Zealanders who want to buy the life ending drug Nembutal. Under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975, Nembutal is a Class C prohibited drug. For the unlawful possession of this drug a person could be charged and on conviction receive a prison sentence of up to 3 months or a fine up to $500. It is irresponsible, unethical and possibly unlawful for Dr Nitschke to encourage New Zealanders to break the law and risk being charged with a criminal offence. Right to Life believes that Dr Nitschke should be charged for encouraging these elderly people to break the law. He should also be charged with conducting workshops that encourage persons to commit suicide. The Australian government is seeking to have Dr Nitschke’s new book, “The Peaceful Pill” banned in Australia. Right to Life is also concerned and will seek to obtain a copy of this book to refer to the New Zealand Censor with the objective of having it banned in New Zealand.

Euthanasia is about doctors killing their patients or assisting in their suicide. Euthanasia is part of a culture of death and a threat to the lives of all New Zealanders. This is the culture that promotes the killing of unborn children under the guise of the “right to choose’. Euthanasia proposes the “right to die” if it were accepted it would ultimately result in a duty to die.

ENDS