What does it mean to coerce someone to death?

Alex Schadenberg

Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition

What does it mean to coerce someone to death?

This week I received a call from a woman who was very upset about the euthanasia death of her nephew. Her nephew was in his 50's, was never married and had multiple health issues.

She told me that she spoke to him a few days before his death and during the conversation she realized that he was being offered euthanasia. She spoke to him about it and he told her that he wants to live.

Being offered euthanasia is common. Every major hospital in Canada has a MAiD team that not only approves and carries out the death, but they also offer death.

After his death she received a call from an immediate family member to the nephew concerning his death. The family member described the death with glowing language. 

When she stated that she had spoken to the nephew recently and he told her that he wanted to live, the immediate family member responded by saying it was for the best.

Who wanted the nephew to die?

Was it a medical practitioner?

Was it the immediate family member(s)?

Was it the nephew, even though he said to his Aunt that he wanted to live?

Sometime subtle coercion is all that it takes when someone is experiences multiple health issues and needs the love and support of close family members, but instead is told, it is for the best.

The woman who called me wanted to know how she could be assured that she would not be killed by euthanasia?

I told her that the law is problematic but the Life Protecting Power of Attorney for Personal Care clearly states that you do not want euthanasia or assisted suicide, as well as it lists how you would want to be treated or not treated. 

The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition has documents that are designed for all 50 states and for the different Canadian provinces. (Article about the Life Protecting Power of Attorney)