The propagandistically exploited euthanasia of former Hamburg Senator of Justice Dr. Kusch caused a justified media uproar. One can only hope that the actual debate about living wills for more self-determination for people who are ill and willing to die will not be swept off the table.
The President of the HVD, Dr. Horst Groschopp, comments on these events:
“We continue to welcome the Stünker & Co. bill. The opponents of the proposed bill are using every opportunity to bring it down by conjuring up dangers and machinations. However, they will not succeed with increasing restrictions against the will of the majority of the population. Dr. Kusch must be countered: In this sensitive and very personal area of assisted suicide, any puffery is out of the question. By ‘provoking’ the state and the judiciary, you have done a disservice to the legitimate concerns of those affected.
The HVD refers to its more than 15 years of good experience with living wills, its practice of humanistic counseling and support. Outpatient and inpatient facilities, the medical profession, hospice and palliative care providers are called upon to form reliable networks in order to respect the patient’s wishes. The common goal should be to prevent suicides and offer the best possible care to the seriously ill. Nevertheless, this does not mean absolutely ruling out the possibility of voluntary, physician-assisted suicide and the choice to shorten suffering. However, this requires an ethical dialog. Specialist knowledge is also required, e.g. on how to provide palliative medical and nursing care for patients who voluntarily give up food and fluids.
Only an increase in knowledge among doctors and patients on the subject of assisted suicide and empathetic discussions with patients can guarantee a dignified approach to dying wishes. The HVD has therefore decided to participate in the distribution of the recently published book ‘Wege zu einem humanen, selbst bestimmten Sterben’ (Amsterdam, July 2008) by Pieter Admiraal, Boudewijn Chabot and others. It also contains knowledge about the use of suicidal drugs. The HVD will keep the book available on request for its members and supporters who have gone through the process of a carefully drafted living will at the HVD, as well as for doctors. It is unacceptable that politicians (especially from the CDU/CSU) can’t think of much more than to react with indignation and calls for a legal ban on machinations like those of Mr. Kusch and others.”
