in-cyprus 18 October 2024 - by Despoina Psyllou
Six in ten Cypriots surveyed by the National Bioethics Committee support legalising euthanasia or physician-assisted death, with 79% backing the right for patients with incurable and painful chronic illnesses.
AKEL MP Irene Charalambidou presented these findings at a press conference on the “Medically Assisted Termination of Life” bill, which is set for discussion in the House Human Rights Committee. She acknowledged the sensitive nature of the topic, saying, “It is an extremely difficult topic, as death is at the centre”.
Charalambidou explained the bill concerns terminally ill patients. “We simply respect the right of the person to leave in the way they desire”, she said, adding that the proposal excludes minors to avoid guardians making such decisions. The bill also excludes individuals in comas and requires patients to undergo medical and psychiatric evaluations to ensure mental health is not the driving factor.
“The patient makes the decision for themselves. No one else, neither relatives nor members of their family circle, can decide or prevent it”, she clarified.
Charalambidou cited a survey of 29 parliaments, revealing 12 countries have implemented either euthanasia or assisted suicide. “In four other countries (England, France, Ireland, and Slovenia), there is a discussion”, she noted.
The bill includes provisions for palliative care and allows doctors to opt out of participation. “A registry of doctors who wish to participate will be created”, Charalambidou explained.
She highlighted personal experiences and cases where individuals sought assisted death abroad or faced legal consequences for assisting loved ones. “I remind you of a case in Paphos, where a husband terminated the life of his wife because she was suffering, and for two years, he was in court, and he was eventually acquitted”, she said.
Charalambidou also mentioned that many Cypriots currently travel to Switzerland for assisted dying services.
Emphasising the proposal’s aim to respect human rights, she stated, “Even if no one in Cyprus chooses it, we must offer the right”. However, she anticipates potential opposition, saying, “I know that there will be reactions and misinformation”.
The House Human Human Rights Committee is expected to discuss the bill.
The Mediterranean island’s powerful Orthodox Church views euthanasia as suicide or even murder.
