Debbie Purdy
IN A dramatic landmark judgement issued late this afternoon, the House of Lords unanimously ruled in favour of Debbie Purdy’s appeal to have the law on assisted suicide clarified.
The unanimous judgement, said MS sufferer Miss Purdy, gives the Director of Public Prosecutions:
An amazing opportunity to make clear what is and what is not acceptable with regards to assisted suicide.
Miss Purdy took her case all the way up to the House of Lords because she wanted to secure a definitive court ruling that her husband, the Cuban violinist Omar Puente, would not face prosecution if he helped her travel abroad to die in a country where it is legal.
She claims that uncertainty as to whether her husband would be arrested breaches her human rights.
Before the verdict, Lord Falconer, a former lord chancellor, said:
If Debbie Purdy wins, the law lords will be saying that you can’t have a crime which is enforced only on the whim of the director of public prosecutions. And once he has set out clear principles that there would be no prosecutions for compassionate assistance, then the law has effectively been changed.
Supporters of Miss Purdy believe that if she wins, Parliament will have to introduce new legislation.
Sarah Wooton, chief executive of Dignity in Dying, said:
What this would really do is distinguish between compassionate assistance and malicious encouragement, rather than this blanket ‘everything is illegal’ approach. Surely parliament would need to react to that.
Earlier this month, Sir Ken Macdonald, the former Director of Public Prosecutions said the law on assisted suicide should be reformed. Sir Ken said the law was ‘lagging behind’’ the public’s beliefs.
It never seemed to me that there was any public interest in prosecuting them.
A Populus opinion poll last week found that 74 per cent of people wanted doctors to be allowed to help terminally ill patients end their lives, and six out of ten also wanted to be able to help the dying commit suicide without fear of prosecution.
The judgment also comes in the same month that the Royal College of Nursing declared it was dropping its opposition to assisted suicide and adopting a neutral stance.
The Law Lords decision will come as a blow to Christian lobby groups who, in defiance of overwhelming public opinion, vigorously oppose assisted suicide. They have a staunch ally in the form of right wing Daily Mail commentator, Melanie Phillips, who – under the headline We’re sleepwalking into barbarism as we blur the boundaries on assisted suicide – wrote:
We should … stop talking about ‘helping someone to die’. People don’t go to Dignitas to die but to be killed. And killing can never be a therapeutic act.
The Freethinker was founded in 1881 by GW Foote, an outspoken critic of religion. After the publication of 
July 30th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Can I just be the first to say that I hope Melanie Phillips dies in the most appalling, prolonged agony possible?
July 30th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
It is amazing to me that helping someone die is considered compassionate among the atheist ranks. True compassion would be to help them cope as best as possible with their horrible situation. And before anyone says, "If you had a horribly painful, terminal disease you would feel the same way." I will just say, you don't know that. But again, helping someone kill themselves is not compassion in my opinion, and that's all that any of us have to work with on this one.
Also, surely we all can see this slippery slope this will put us on. You all honestly don't think there will be crazy doctors who kill people, and then afterwards say the person wanted to die?
I know I'm not going to change any minds here, I just wanted to represent the other side of this debate.
P.S.
Tim, that is an appalling thing to say.
July 30th, 2009 at 5:45 pm
"…. crazy Doctors who kill people…" Hypocrisy considering you religious twats have and are killing millions. I don't give a toss or respect what you xtians believe; your preposterous ideas are at best meaningless but usually very damaging. You have every right to believe your fairy tales but have no right to impose your stupid religious dogma on those who wish to end their lives.
I agree with Tim 100%
July 30th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Thing is fella – surely out of religionists and normal people, your lot don't mind having to die because you would then be with jebus and other fictional characters – hence the born agains' perverse lust for the end of the world and judgement day.
True acceptance of death is anathema to your side – it's simply too mature a concept for you to cope with.
I truly hope you, or your family don't have to suffer in such circumstances, but – should terminal disease affect your loved ones (I went through it when my mum died of cancer) – it may open your eyes to the reality of life and death.
To be forced to suffer it is inhumane. It is compassionate to help end their suffering – rather than make them go through it spending their last days or weeks, or months, or years in agony.
And only a totally heartless or stupid bastard could think otherwise. Forget about sky fairies and rubbish – we are dealing with the big issues of ife and death – truth and mercy – topics that christians are incredibly uneducated or very naive about. Yet are always talking about without thinking of the reality of the meanings.
July 30th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Part 2
*IF* you were *really* judged after death – do you not think that so many priests,evangelists, pastors, holy men, mullahs, and preachers etc would be such money grabbing / child molesting / liars / women hating / bigoted / homophobic / uneducated / hate-mongers?
No offence mate – but try broadening your horizons a bit and learn a bit about the planet you live on – it is quite amazing. To think you actively want to follow the ignorance of bronze age goat herders (while using the internet too! LOL) is quite saddening – you seem a nice enough chap with lovely kids, so don't close their minds before they have a chance to learn .
Peace
PS – re: Tim's comment? You obviously have never come across Melanie Phillps. Where's your sense of humour
)
July 30th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
…could have been DR Harold Shipmans defence had this come in sooner??….Pandoras Box comes to mind!!
Angela…does it hurt to say Christian or can't you spell..Bless
July 30th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
The issue here is not of whether or not she is allowed to die. If the court rules that helping her commit suicide will get her husband prosecuted, Miss Purdy has been very open with what she will do. She will kill herself while she can do so without anyone's help.
What this ruling gives her is the right to live as long as she can bear to.
July 30th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
I mispell the name of your particular brand of brain disease just to annoy you and because I find the word offensive.
July 30th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Never said I was a Christian…I just respect other peoples beliefs…why do you find the word offensive…after all it is only a word??
July 30th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
What about Melanie Phillips and Ann Atkinson. Let them try what they advocate for others. And why are Christians so keen to expect such high moral standards from atheists? Maybe becuase their own lot are so low in their expectations. I have had so many Xtians say they look forward to an eternity in hell for me for commenst about their god. These were, I have to say, fundie nutters in the USA.
Great and compassionate decision. I am delighted. Slippery slope? Maybe that is what Tony (our secret RC) will be on now that he is coming before the Iraq enquiry.
July 30th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
"I just respect other peoples beliefs …"
What? All beliefs? Do you respect the Roman Catholic belief that condoms are sinful? … the Muslim belief that apostates and homosexuals should be stoned, and that female rape victims should be lashed? …the Jewish and Muslim belief that boys should have their penises mutilated? … the Jehovah's Witnesses belief that blood transfusions are to be avoided? … the Mormon belief the God shags Mrs God to create baby souls that are then despatched to be born in mortal bodies on earth? Do you want me to go on?
July 30th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
This is patronising. Bless.
Christians are pretty offensive to be fair. But I am discerning enough not to respect offensive and harmful beliefs.
You seem to think doctors are potentially serial killers. Are you a Jehovah's witless then if you aren't a christain?
July 30th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
respect does not mean condone…we live in a free world/country bound by human laws…in all of this men still commit crimes (and genocide) against each other…I have yet to see God Himself committing any these offences…last I checked it was a human beings carrying out these acts!!
July 30th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
If somebody wants to kill themselves it's their problem not the mainstream.
Personal feelings are an individual thing and not the public to give you an answer just because you want it .I would be happy to run this woman under a bus. Who is she to make people bend down for her. If she can find someone willing to do it this is not our business. Anybody can kill themselves if they want. She should have been turned out of court.
To answer the question is a failiure.
There are basic rules and you don't ask other people to break them publicly.
Just because she has a question doesn't mean she has a right to the answer.
This is the point here not the subject matter.
Anybody can go where they want and kill themselves. Just don't ask our permission for it.
It's really low to try to get a definite answer from the courts a complete mockery of the law.
She thinks the world revolves around her questions.
This has nothing to do with christianity or atheism.
Tie her up and slap her until she drops it. She is living in Cukoo land and she is not about anything.
People have ideas, they don't make demands of society.
July 30th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
By working for the Daily Mail she already is dying slowly and horribly, both as a human being and as a serious social commentator.
July 30th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
Since the Christers' god is a sadist that gets its rocks off savoring the agonies of the afflicted, it follows that escaping into death deprives it of an orgasm substitute. No wonder its masochistic mindslaves want to persecute anyone who helps alleviate another person's agony.
Can't a NO TROLLS filter be set up, so that the intellectual diarrhea of brain amputees who have not had an original thought since they were first godphuqt is not posted in the first place?
July 30th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Some regular commentators on this site have explained that they need to hide behind euphemisms because, as sighted persons in the Country of the Blind, they have a legitimate fear of being vandalized or worse if the godphuqt among whom they have to live learn that they are (horrors!) sane, intelligent and educated. But what excuse do the godphuqt have? In all of recorded history there has not been a single documented case of a nontheist committing a hate crime against the superstitious because of the victim's belief. (Before anyone again raises the Big Lie that Hitler was an atheist: He was a godphuqt Catholic — pardon tautology.)
I met a sane godworshipper once. His brother was a giant midget, and his sister was a healthy leper.
July 30th, 2009 at 11:56 pm
Yes – mainly in the NAME of God!
July 31st, 2009 at 12:19 am
That is an excellent point. Do we really think anyone would find out if they went to another country and her husband helped her die? Of course not. This is nothing more than a dog and pony show. Great thoughts Annabel, although you probably don't want to hear that from me.
July 31st, 2009 at 12:19 am
Bitter much, Barry?
July 31st, 2009 at 4:32 am
Great thoughts! I suppose if you're a christian that's not used to thinking, you could mistake Annabels point missing post as 'great thoughts' on closer inspection however, I think its obvious what it really is, Utter bollocks!
July 31st, 2009 at 4:49 am
" People don’t go to Dignitas to die but to be killed. And killing can never be a therapeutic act."
Strange, I always thought that the churches/religions were fine with killing, just as long as those killed are witches, infidels, etc. and those doing the killing "men of god".
Looking back at the death toll in the last 2 thousand years, what is another couple of dozen?
Oh, they want to die? Well we can't be having that then can we!
July 31st, 2009 at 4:58 am
.. but respect does imply non interference, which is as close to condoning as you can get and still be inocent of the crime.
… actually, anyone who actually believed in God Himself (your capitals) must make him/her responsible for typhoons, hurricanes, earthquakes etc. So yes, given her/his existence, lots of examples of crimes against humanity there.
No you may not argue that "if god does it it cannot be a crime, 'cos god is good" That is just tautology.
July 31st, 2009 at 7:21 am
I just read Melanie Phillips's article and she really is bonkers. We've had euthanisia in Holland for a while now, and you can still have the sniffles or cancer without having to fear for your life, unless any of your relatives or your GP is a serial killer. As for the christian believers among us: read the OT carefully and you'll know what a loving kind of guy your god is. It would rather not lay my life in his hands!!
July 31st, 2009 at 7:29 am
If she's happy to lie to friends and family about what's going on you mean?
What if she doesn't like lies? Wants to be honest with her family about what she's doing and why? Some relative will likely get angry as part of the grieving process and try to take it out on her husband. She's just asking if this is going to happen.
July 31st, 2009 at 8:09 am
If Melanie Phillips was so worried about killing people she should keep her gob shut about MMR and autism wheres her concern about the children that have died by not being vaccinated through her daily fail rantings. The dumb bitch probably thinks we dont need new vaccines because that would mean things evolve.
July 31st, 2009 at 8:43 am
It's so easy. The bible was an ethical guideline thousands of years ago. It was a rare thing when a doctor saved even one life, until recent years. But since then progress was so fast, we can now have people on ventilation possibly more than 140 years I guess.
Advances of humanity (in medicine, science) require new ethics. Life above all can't be the solution if medicine has the capability of making you suffer for decades without curing you.
The book is old. Write a new one.
July 31st, 2009 at 10:09 am
Angela K. Well said. Debbie Purdy is a heroine of our time; the Bishops in the lords who voted against are the scum that floats (unelected) on society. Rowan Williams ready to join with the RCs to argue against gays is a disgrace. Did you know that the Quakers are now prepared to marry gay people? As for that twat you took to task and his whining about preserving life he could put his efforts to better use in Texas. I have tried for years to get some reaction from religious leaders here, and politicians, to protest against the continuing slaughter of men in the Death Cells of Polunsky Unit. "Musn't interfere with the laws of another country, sympathetic to what you say, you compassion does your credit, wish we could help……………." Sub text: "Now piss off and don't bother us again."
July 31st, 2009 at 10:10 am
Not quite as hard as condemning people to an eternity of torture in hell because they refuse to lavish praise on some imaginary god who appears to have an insatiable lust for vengeance and praise. Slippery slope: listen you silly man,you really must not judge us all by your own standards. Can't you try to summon up a little compassion and decency?
Twat.
July 31st, 2009 at 10:18 am
Melanie Phillips. A sicko if ever there was one. She and Ann Atkins should be stuck in a sack together with a brick in the bottom and dropped mid Atlantic. Instead she continues to spill her verbal sewage courtesy of the BBC – as does Atkins on Thought for the Day. Then, some sanctimonious Xtian lectures the rest of us that "Killing can never be good."
July 31st, 2009 at 11:47 am
I was almost in tears of joy at finally hearing a sane decision from the Lords.
On the matter of killing v suicide & asociated Christian attitudes….
I was a close friend of Pat Kneen, the guy whose death sparked Michael Irwin's strike off as a doctor, and supported his widow throughout a police investigation which lasted around a year, during which time she was totally unable to grieve for her late husband or pick up her life and carry on.
If we want to talk about Christianity, anonymity and killing, can I just point out that during that period I fielded so many death threats from pro-life superstitious sickos that I took to asking them if they wanted to make an appointment.
August 1st, 2009 at 4:56 pm
Well, Melanie Phillips is an appalling human being. And she wishes pointless, agonising deaths on other people, so what's sauce for the goose…
August 2nd, 2009 at 3:50 am
I believe we all have the inalienable right to choose when to die, this whole thing is an issue of control and it's being manipulated by those who cannot bear to see human beings make mature, sensible, and rational decisions for themselves, instead of using a book of ridiculous fairytales and half truths.
My mum died of cancer this year, after a long struggle with the illness, and I have to say her last 6 months of life were a sad and pitiful existence where we had to watch the last shreds of this womans dignity be torn from her. It's about time we as human beings grew up, and started accepting that death isn't the great enemy of life, but rather it is a part of life!
August 3rd, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Terry Pratchett was on bbc news 24 today supporting this issue:
http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/.....terry-pr...