By Nicolas Petros Kaparti[/B]
The issue of euthanasia which has concerned brave and courageous people in Cyprus, was officially put up for discussion before the Human Rights Committee of the Parliament last Monday, January 24. This is a particularly sensitive issue which involves multiple aspects and a marathon of meetings and debates may follow before the Committee until the final form of the bill is formulated and forwarded to the House of Representatives. Euthanasia is of concern to bioethics, law, medicine and the wider society due to the fact that it raises several fundamental ethical and religious issues.
"Red line" for the church
On this issue, the position of the church of Cyprus is irrevocable and its decision dates back two decades. In a statement to the Cyprus Times, Metropolitan George of Paphos
said that: "the position of the church is clear on this issue. It knows that life is given by God and he takes it."
"Therefore," he explained, "neither can we take our life - that would be suicide - nor can we take someone else's life since that would be equivalent to murder."
"Therefore," he explained, "neither can we take our life - that would be suicide - nor can we take someone else's life since that would be equivalent to murder.He pointed out that "e do not have the right to ask for the taking of our lives. Our life in this world is a preparation for the other, eternal life. Many times God, in his all-wise plan, knows that it is easier to go to eternal life with privation, with pain, with sorrow, than with well-being. And so he does not see suffering in a negative light, but sees it as preparation for the next life."
He added that "in cases where someone's condition is so painful and so long-lasting, the church has a special service, the so-called service of the soul-sufferer."
He added that "in cases where someone's condition is so painful and so long-lasting, the church has a special service, the so-called service of the soul-sufferer. He begs God the church, in his mercy, to see the suffering of that person and if he thinks to take him away," while noting that: "He begs God to end someone's life, because that is how he judges with human eyes, but he leaves it again to the will of God and his omniscience."
"Please but we do not take a step further. The church cannot give its consent to euthanasia," the Pafos Metropolitan stressed.
Asked whether the Holy Synod intends to make an appeal to the Parliament, the Metropolitan replied that they have examined the issue in 2001 and have made their decision which is timeless.
[/P]"It is a decision not only of the Holy Synod but of the whole Church. We sent the memorandum the last time it was discussed, and we will send it now, so that they know our position. It is in fact a recall of that doctrine of the church," he explained.
Pending an opinion from the Bioethics Committee
In contact with the chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights, Irini Charalambidou, she explained that the specific issue was registered in the Committee last October on her own initiative and the discussion started last Monday.
According to Ms. Charalambidou, "the conditions have matured for this dialogue to begin and it is our obligation as a parliament to raise even difficult issues for discussion."
She also added that: "it must be made clear that this is not a choice between life and death. The right to life is protected by international human rights conventions. It is a right to choose between a painful death for patients with terminal diagnoses and a dignified death."
Asked when it will be brought back before the committee for discussion, Ms. Charalambidou explained that this will be done once they receive the opinion of the Cyprus Bioethics Committee, at the end of February.
Asked to comment on whether there was any reaction from the church to the discussion of this issue, the Chair of the Committee replied negatively and explained that the Holy Synod was invited to the meeting and its presence was constructive, as was that of all the technocrats present (Universities, Medical Association, Bar Association).
3+1 initiatives by the Bioethics Committee
From then on, the National Bioethics Committee contributes to the public debate with four initiatives. In particular, the Commission is preparing an opinion on the issue, which is expected to be delivered at the end of February, and is conducting a nationwide survey to obtain public opinion on the issue.
The Commission is also conducting another survey with the participation of members of PIS in order to gather the views of the medical community on the issue, since it is they who will be called upon to implement the legislative framework. Finally, the Bioethics Committee will organise on 15 April a relevant information day, in cooperation with the Pancyprian Medical Association, the Pancyprian Bar Association and the Human Rights Committee of the Parliament, in order to analyse the aspects of this issue from the point of view of each institution.
The Pancyprian Medical Association
On the role of the Pancyprian Medical Association in shaping the legislative framework for spoke to the Cyprus Times, the Secretary of PIS and Chairman of the Association's Ethics Committee, Dr. Michael Anastasiades
According to Mr. Anastasiades, PIS will contribute throughout the public consultation and will submit the views of the medical community where and when invited. He noted that they are in full consultation and consultation with the National Bioethics Committee and are awaiting the results of the survey conducted among the members of the Medical Association.
Anastasiades explained that: "in addition to opinions and beliefs, we need to see how other countries position themselves on the issue depending on their culture, what modern science dictates in relation to dealing with this issue and legally where we stand. Because for us it is of paramount importance on the one hand the safeguarding of the doctor - who will participate in such a process - and on the other hand the freedom of choice and to be able to carry out his duty unhindered."
While he made it clear that what they are interested in is that this measure will ensure that in no way will the effort to improve the conditions, the infrastructure of providing palliative care and support, to these patients be reduced.
"In the end, we will not end up simply assisting suicides in people who are desperate because of chronic pain or a chronic, terminal illness," he said.
Referring to the official position of PIS on the issue, Mr. Anastasiades said that "we are rightly in a waiting posture and reflection. It is an extremely serious, multifaceted and multilayered issue and PIS cannot take a position without first having carefully studied all its aspects."
"These aspects, in addition to medical, are legal, sociological, ethical, philosophical, psychological and the issue of the adequacy of supportive service structures," he added.
"All these," he continued, "should be taken into account plus the issue raised in the question of individual human rights - to life and death - the human right to health, the right of relatives - to demand optimal care - the rights of minors."
"Who should make the decision on minors?", he asked, while stressing that "this should be answered and included within the legislation."
"Also the right of a doctor to practice medicine unhindered, the legal framework which should be far and away complete, to cover all possible entanglements, should be taken into account," he stressed in conclusion.
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