Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Luxembourg legalises euthanasia

Luxembourg has become the third European country to legalise euthanasia. I have included in this email the article from the AFP Press and two articles from the Luxembourg media explaining the constitutional crisis that was created by legalising euthanasia.

Luxembourg's Grand Duke Henri refused to sign the bill into law. His actions held up the bill which had passed in the Luxembourg parliament by a vote of 30 to 26.

The result was that the Luxembourg parliament unanimously voted to remove the power of the Grand Duke by changing article 34 of their constitution.

We are saddened that Luxembourg has decided to legalise the direct and intentional killing of its residents through euthanasia, but we are thankful that the Grand Duke had the fortitude to stand his ground and temporarily hold off the legalisation in his nation.

The Grand Duke has lost all his constitutional power because he attempted to stop an unjust law in his country.

For further comments contact Alex Schadenberg at the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition at: 1-877-439-3348.

Link to the article: Luxembourg becomes third EU country to legalise euthanasia
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5i0yQDSE_oKIBOFwmvPlw1o347tww

Link to the article on March 17 - Bill Enacted on Euthanasia
http://station.lu/newsDetails.cfmid=23167

Link to the article on March 13 - Article 34 of state constitution changed:
http://station.lu/newsDetails.cfm?id=23127

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

We need more people like the Grand Duke Henri. Rulers who actually care about their country and the subjects within. The fact that he has sacrificed the throne to stand against the legalization of euthanasia proves that he is committed to the well-being of his people and country. I recently finished a research paper for euthanasia, and I've discovered that the legalization of euthanasia will only lead to more problems. In fact, in the Netherlands, there is 1000 cases of patients dying without an explicit request or consent, by their own physician annually. In Oregon, it is not even illegal to not report cases of PAS. The reality is that once euthanasia is legalized, it will be uncontrollable, even by the government. Soon enough, even murder will be legalized. Although the Dutch government is fully aware that only 54% of all euthanasia cases are published (it is required to publish each case in that country, they have not taken any steps to improve this situation. These are the baby steps that will lead to a time when our morals will not be a prt of our law.

Alex Schadenberg said...

Grand Duke Henri is courageous.

In fact, the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition - International has been thinking about creating a Grand Duke Henri award.