www.spcs.org.nz

Media Release
13 June 2008

Society confident of ban on The Peaceful Pill Handbook

The Society is confident that The Peaceful Pill Handbook (New Revised Int'l Edition) co-authored by Dr Phillip Nitschke (dubbed 'Dr Death' by the media) will be banned by early next week by the President of the Film and Literature Board of Review, Ms Claudia Elliott, in response to its application for an interim restriction order. The deadline for submissions from interested parties in respect to the Society's application passed today Friday 13 June at 12.00 pm.

On 5 June 2008 the Society made an application to the President for an Order under s. 49 of the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act 1993 ("the Act") in respect of the book that was classified R18 by the Chief Censor's Office on 8 May 2008 (OFLC No. 800267). An earlier version of the book was banned by the Chief Censor's Office in June 2007.

The Society was granted leave by the Secretary of Internal Affairs, Mr Brendan Boyle on 29 May 2008 to make an application to the Board for a review of the revised book's classification. It applied for leave on the 11 May 2008.

The Society contends that with the correct application of the Act the revised book should be banned in view of its promotion and encouragement of criminal activity - the aiding and abetting of suicide etc. - and its promotion of a culture of death. It argues that it is in the public interest for a temporary ban to be imposed by the President
until the nine-member Board can complete its review of the Chief Censor's Office classification.

For More See.

http://wwwspcs.org.nz/2008/application-for-interim-restriction-order-against-the-peaceful-pill-handbook-by-dr-death-nitschke/
http://www.spcs.org.nz/2008/review-sought-by-society-over-release-of-pro-euthanasia-book/

ENDS

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