Civil society activists join growing call for euthanasia

A group of civil society activists have thrown their weight behind a petition to legalise euthanasia.

“We appeal to all MPs to give the attention it deserves and to carry out a mature parliamentary debate informed by public consultation, evidence and research, and characterised by constructive dialogue,” the activists - including former Alternattiva Demokratika leader Michael Briguglio, Partit Demokratiku official Monique Agius, TV presenter Salvu Mallia, and MaltaToday James Debono said.

The other signatories are Martin Abela, Angele Deguara, Mina Tolu, Mary Grace Vella, and Michael Grech.

Over 1,000 people have signed an online petition to legalise euthanasia, that was set up by the wife of ALS sufferer Joe Magro, who has warned MPs that he would rather commit suicide than live out the latter stages of his terminal illness.

“Both myself and our children, as well as other family members of ours, understand Joe, because no one would like to end up in a similar situation,” Marlene Magro wrote in the petition. “If [Joe commits suicide], I will have a hard time living with the knowledge that he could have lived longer with everyone around him and that his death would have taken place in dignity and within his family setting.

“With the introduction of a law on assisted death, Joe will be able to live peacefully for a while longer.”

Joe Magro told MaltaToday that senior Labour officials have told him that the party is ready to include euthanasia in its electoral manifesto. Former Labour prime minister and current MEP Alfred Sant has supported the call.

Archbishop Charles Scicluna and Gozo bishop Mario Grech said on Monday that euthanasia could never be in a person's best interest.
“The autonomy enjoyed by every human being is not absolute or unlimited. The protection of human life, in particular when this is helpless and vulnerable, is an ethical and legal principle that goes beyond the principle of autonomy.”

A study conducted in 2013 among Maltese doctors found that over 90% of doctors say they are against euthanasia but 50% agree with hastening death by intensifying analgesia. 11.9% of the 356 doctors polled by researchers said they had received a request for euthanasia from patients.