Discussion The situation of the right to die in the Netherlands

[Amumu]

So I recapitulate how it works in the Netherlands :

-If you're above 12 and suffer from terminal physical illnesses you're entitled to the right to die and the rate of approval is about 75% (I'll let you check the numbers because I'm lazy)
-If you're above 18 and suffer from terminal physical illnesses you're entitled to the right to die and the rate of approval is about 95% (idem)
-If you're above 18 and suffer from mental illnesses you're entitled to the right to die and the rate of approval is about 5% (idem)

And then... SOMETHING NEW HAPPENED

There is a new bill which hasn't been ratified, which consists of the following :
-If you're above 75 and YOU JUST WANT TO FUCKING DIE WITH ABSOLUTELY NO CONDITION, you're entitled to the right to die with a rate of approval of 100%

The fourth point is really close to the philosophy of SS, apart from the fact that you need to be 75.

Don't you think it would be a major step in favour of the right to die movement? It's amazing, isn't it?

If this law is put into practice in the Netherlands maybe more Western countries will do the same in the future.
Certainly not the Middle East or Africa which are extremely religious though.

Then, what? Just imagine this law was put into practice everywhere in the West. We'll just have to militate again and again and again so that they lower the age requirement, from 75 to 60, from 60 to 45, from 45 to 30, from 30 to the age of majority.

God, I'm dreaming and very optimistic at the same time. I tell you, fellow SS members, if this 75-thing-law is put into practice, it could be the beginning of the right to die movement. The real one. Not just for people who suffer from terminal physical illnesses or for people with mental illnesses who only have a very low rate of approval.

Take care,

Amumu

 

[Fehler]

It would be great if it were applied worldwide. I find it quite strange that they allow it without having any condition other than being old. But later I remember that the state would win by losing the elderly population so it explains why..

 

[Amumu]

It would be great if it were applied worldwide. I find it quite strange that they allow it without having any condition other than being old. But later I remember that the state would win by losing the elderly population so it explains why..

I understand what you mean, you mean that the state wouldn't have to pay retirement pensions for the elderly who ctb anymore.
Yet, not all elderly people are suicidal, so I think the impact would be rather minor.

But overall, the law would still be very positive for the right to die movement itself.
We have to make baby steps, and maybe some day our dreams will come true.

 

[Stroopwafel.]

I wanted to sign up for this whole thing a while ago, but then I found out there's a TWO YEARS waiting list for those with mental illnesses, to even have the first appointment. That plus the fact that there's only a 5% chance of it even getting approved I decided to go the other way. Also after reading about it, I'm pretty sure they will deny my request anyways. It's extremely hard to actually get euthanasia for mental health issues. For me, it's not worth this fight given the above statements. I'm fighting the system for so many years now, and I'm not ready to wait years, to start another fight and probably get a 'no' anyways.

Don't get me wrong, I'm very happy that it is an option in my country and am very happy for those 5% of people who get a peaceful dead. I really am. But for most people it's not accescible and it will only cause so much more stress and another fight with those damn psychologists and psychiatrists, that it's not even worth a try with those ridiculous waiting lists.

 

[FuneralCry]

It is great to hear that there is more acceptance towards this. The life expectancy is far too long. A right to die should be a basic human right, it isn't like we asked to be alive in the first place. Hopefully it will be available to everyone eventually.

 

[noname223]

I had hope that there is a new assisted suicide law in Germany due to the ruling of the highest court. But the conservative christians are so strong at the moment and I lost hope. Even if this law would exist mentally ill people would not be treated fairly. I have read a list what mentally ill people have to endure of treatment in order to have the right to die. This is a joke. This is not pro-choice. And the approval rating is still low as fuck. I probably won't experience a good way of dealing with that in my whole lifetime.

 

[OceanBlue]

I hope the law passes and should eventually apply to everyone; it's a basic human right.

 

[The Lonely]

"Not sick enough";

"Not old enough",
geez …

 

[LetsFlyAway]

I hope the law passes and should eventually apply to everyone; it's a basic human right.

"Not sick enough";

"Not old enough",
geez …

"Not suffering enough"

 

[Fragile]

I'm sure that ageing countries will start implementing something similar in the near future, having an old population is currently an extremely important, an yet, highly underrated social issue that weighs everyone down in one way or the other.

There's definitely a trend of countries legalizing euthanasia or similar right to die related legislation, however, I don't think that healthy people below the age of 60 will have access to this right in a looong time, if ever.

And there are more bad news. Authoritarianism is on the rise in most of the world, and it doesn't matter if it's far left or far right, both absolutely hate the concept of body autonomy. There's also the fact that certain strict and anti-suicide religions (or anti-freedom, really) are growing at an alarming rate, and while most of the world is secular in terms of state, religious zealots are notorious for being an absolute pain in the ass when it comes to legalize and respect the freedoms of others.