Right to Life New Zealand Inc.

17 September 2008

Media Release

Dr Philip Nitschke [Dr Death] Suicide Handbook - The Peaceful Pill Approved

Right to Life is disappointed that the Classification Review Board has upheld the classification of "The Peaceful Pill Handbook [Revised New Zealand Edition]

On the 8 May the Office of Film and Literature [OFLC], classified the book as R18. Right to Life appealed this decision to the Classification Review Board.

It is the opinion of Right to Life that the book should have been classified as objectionable and banned. The book violates the Films and Classification Act 1993 by promoting extreme violence against one self and encouraging a criminal act namely smuggling Nembutal a Class C prohibited drug into New Zealand from Mexico.

Both the Chief Censor and the Review Board have by these deplorable decisions failed to protect the vulnerable in our community, those suffering depression, mental illness and the aged and ill. The book promotes suicide as an option for the seriously ill and elderly. The book promotes a culture of death undermines our right to life, attacks the common good and promotes suicide, self murder as a human right.

The community should be deeply concerned at the appalling failure of these two important government organisations to exercise their considerable statutory powers to protect the vulnerable in society. The government has a duty to the community to appoint to these important statutory bodies persons of integrity and courage who will faithfully protect the community from a culture of death which is a threat to every citizen.

The Board in its decision stated; "The authors note that the book is not intended for..or irrational or people suffering psychiatric illness or depression. That in the Board's view, however, does not stop that sector of the community from having access to the book." Why would anyone want to give this book to a depressed or mentally ill person?

'The dominant effect of the publication is a lay person's guide to end of life options. It is also to advocate law reform in the area."

The Chief Censor in his initial decision stated that the publication is a well intentioned book that enables the seriously ill and elderly "to make carefully and fully informed decisions about their own life and death."

Right to Life calls for the government to follow the example of the Australian government and restrict the activities of Dr Philip Nitschke who is an evangelist for a culture of death and a threat to the weak and vulnerable in society.

ends

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