A Belgian man whose mother was euthanized without his knowledge by a doctor because she suffered depression has filed a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights.
The Alliance Defending Freedom says in its petition on behalf of Tom Mortier that oncologist Wim Distelmans, a leading promoter of euthanasia in Belgium, first met Godelieva De Troyer in late 2011. The following February, she made a donation of 2,500 euros to a foundation he runs.
Just six weeks later, Distelmans “euthanized” De Troyer, informingher son a day after she was dead, the complaint explains.
The case challenges Belgium’s law allowing doctor-prescribed death.
It argues Mortier’s mother was not terminally ill but had complained of depression, a condition several other doctors had determined was treatable.
“The government has an obligation to protect life, not assist in promoting death,” said ADF Litigation Staff Counsel Robert Clarke. “A person can claim that she should be able to do whatever she pleases, but that does not override the government’s responsibility to protect the weak and vulnerable. We are encouraging the European Court to uphold this principle, which is completely consistent with the European Convention on Human Rights.”
The Alliance Defending Freedom says in its petition on behalf of Tom Mortier that oncologist Wim Distelmans, a leading promoter of euthanasia in Belgium, first met Godelieva De Troyer in late 2011. The following February, she made a donation of 2,500 euros to a foundation he runs.
Just six weeks later, Distelmans “euthanized” De Troyer, informingher son a day after she was dead, the complaint explains.The case challenges Belgium’s law allowing doctor-prescribed death.
It argues Mortier’s mother was not terminally ill but had complained of depression, a condition several other doctors had determined was treatable.
“The government has an obligation to protect life, not assist in promoting death,” said ADF Litigation Staff Counsel Robert Clarke. “A person can claim that she should be able to do whatever she pleases, but that does not override the government’s responsibility to protect the weak and vulnerable. We are encouraging the European Court to uphold this principle, which is completely consistent with the European Convention on Human Rights.”
The Belgian law requires three other physicians who had no previous involvement with the patient’s care to sign off on a decision to euthanize.
De Troyer’s own physician, who had treated her for more than 20 years, had rejected her requests for euthanasia.
But she went to see Distlemans, and after a 2,500 euro donation to Life End Information Forum, an organization co-founded by Distelmans, he carried out her request to die because of the depression, ADF said.
Full Article and Source:
Doctor Tells Man:We Killed Your "Depressed" Mom
De Troyer’s own physician, who had treated her for more than 20 years, had rejected her requests for euthanasia.
But she went to see Distlemans, and after a 2,500 euro donation to Life End Information Forum, an organization co-founded by Distelmans, he carried out her request to die because of the depression, ADF said.
Full Article and Source:
Doctor Tells Man:We Killed Your "Depressed" Mom
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