European Euthanasia Case and the 'Right to Life'
Aaron Mercer, IFA Contributing Writer | November 12, 2022
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Lord, we pray for a culture that honors life to bloom in our nation and around the world.
Analysis. Last month a top court in Europe found a "right to life" problem with the growing scourge of euthanasia. The case involves Godelieva de Troyer, a 64-year-old Belgian woman who was terminated by lethal injection in 2012 after a diagnosis of "incurable depression." Her son, Tom Mortier, was never consulted by the oncologist who administered the injection. In fact, he only learned of his mother's death the next day, when the hospital called him to make necessary arrangements for her body.
"My mother suffered from severe mental difficulties and coped with depression throughout her life," said Mortier. "She was treated for years by psychiatrists, and, sadly, she and I lost contact for some time. It was during this time that she died by way of lethal injection. Never could I have imagined that we would be parted forever."
Though Mortier could no longer save his mother's life, he did want an accounting for it. And Alliance Defending Freedom International helped him press for the revelation of details in a case that ultimately ended up in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
Following the lead of the Netherlands, Belgium legalized euthanasia in 2002. ADF notes that the law requires a candidate for lethal injection to be in a "medically futile condition of constant and unbearable physical or mental suffering that cannot be alleviated, resulting from a serious and incurable disorder caused by illness or accident." And according to ADF's attorney representing Mortier, when the procedure was legalized, it was sold to the public as a last resort for exceptionally serious or terminal cases.
But after 24 terminations in 2002, the number of cases rose by more than 100 times that number in 2019. At least 27,000 Belgians have died by euthanasia in the past 20 years, and such cases now account for roughly one out of every 50 deaths annually in that small country.
"The conditions for euthanasia are spiraling out of control," wrote ADF International Deputy Director Robert Clarke. "In 2014, Belgium legalized euthanasia for children, with no lower age limit. In 2020, it expanded the law further requiring doctors who object to the practice to actively refer their patient to a pro-euthanasia organization. Now, there are calls for the law to cover individuals who simply feel 'tired of life.' "
One might hope that the ECHR would step in and halt the rapid rise of these lethal injections. After all, Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights expressly guarantees a "right to life."
That article states: "Everyone's right to life shall be protected by law. No one shall be deprived of his life intentionally save in the execution of a sentence of a court following his conviction of a crime for which this penalty is provided by law."
Sadly, the ECHR did not upend the euthanasia regime. But it did rule that Belgian authorities had violated Article 2 based on its termination processes.
"[T]he Court considers that the control system established in the present case did not ensure its independence," it said.
That may seem like a very unsatisfying ruling, especially when the court apparently thought more "safeguards" could help. But it still could be significant. It shows an interest — even if more muted than one would like — in defending life. It shows again that in our hearts, we know that life is special. It's a gift. It's worth protecting against the dangers of being treated cheaply or in a manner secondary to other pressures.
And that tendency to slight the matter is a danger. It's a major concern, as support for euthanasia grows in Western nations — places where health care can be expensive. One Irish columnist speaking in the context of a debate in her country, said euthanasia laws give insurance companies and doctors legal justifications to withhold treatment. Quoting the American Association of People with Disabilities, she warns that under such regimes, for those "without the means to live, the 'right to die' becomes the dangerous default."
This is not just a danger in Europe. It's also a growing problem closer to home. Canada, in fact, is poised for a major expansion next spring of its "medical aid in dying" system to include those with mental illness. One advocate interviewed by the Toronto Star called it "Hunger Games–style social Darwinism" and "an 'eject button' for marginalized people experiencing socio-economic issues, when what they need are adequate social supports."
Will you pray that the shock of such terminations would move people in our nation and beyond to reaffirm the gift of life and to rise up and protect against ideologies and procedures that attempt to cheapen its sanctity?
As ADF's Clarke wrote, "Legalized euthanasia is nothing more than counterfeit compassion and we owe it to each other — in all our vulnerability — to do better."
How are you praying against euthanasia? Share your prayers and scriptures below.
Aaron Mercer is an IFA contributing writer with two decades of experience in the Washington, D.C., public-policy arena. Photo Credit: Marcelo Leal on Unsplash.
Patricia Rupprecht
I am horrified by the rapid increase in cases of Euthanasia worldwide, especially as I am a senior citizen. I strongly believe that my times are in God's hands, and neither I nor anyone else has the right to take my life, period.
I view this trend as something to be expected in a country that has, by and large, turned its back on God. But God is not mocked. We reap what we sow!
dolores kaiser
this, in addition to abortion, is a constant barrage against God's will.
NanJohnson
Life is a gift of God. Only He has a right to terminate it. See Psalms 139. All our days were numbered before we were even born. This seems to be one of the most horrible acts of sin ever. Kind of thought it would be happening. Will be praying and standing against this! 🙏
CHAVA
Yes, history is repeating itself! This is just a revival of Hitler's T-4 Medical Killing Program! All the more to pray for G-D to intervene!
Ms Mary
Every time evil gets it's foot in the door, it doesn't stop there, it goes on to worse and worse evil. Unless we stop it.
Darlene Estlow
Father, I ask that the evil of euthenasia would be ended. Awaken people to see how evil it is and to pray and act against it. May we not just sit back and know God is in control, but to actively be the government–ekklesia–to fight the battle in the name of Jesus.
Rachel Hurst
ii HAVE READ YOUR COPY OF THE PRAYERS OF THE CHAPLAINS OF BOTH THE HOUSE AND
THE SENATE. THEY WERE BEAUTIFUL AND APPLICABLE TOTHE NEEDS OF TODAY.
HOWEVER, ONE THING WAS SO OBVIOUSLY MISSING – THE NAME OF JESUS.
Does God receive these prayers?
Shirley Norton
Heavenly Father, Holy Jesus, & Our Holy Spirit, thank You for Your Ministry of Healing & Love! & Prayer!
I pray that this Ministry of Yours would now be released & manifested to all Your Believers, in all Your Churches across America! Incorporated in the total Body of Christ….we are looking forward to Your Release of the Third Great Awakening throughout our whole Nation that has & is being proclaimed by our Prophetic Intercessors! I believe all over America we will soon experience & are even now seeing this happening!! We believe now that every Bible believing Church will have a Anointed Prayer Ministry with amazing Your Signs & Wonders being released….every person, child will be included in being healed supernaturally by God…there will be no thought or imagination of euthanasia!!!! I declare every person & child will be healed one way or another!!! & Be saved & Delivered!!! IN JESUS NAME! AMEN
Zoe Ella
This is another movement like abortion, that devalues life and makes it into a commodity, for those with adequate funds to buy it. It is also linked to the quiet but powerful eugenics movement, which endeavors to decrease population by eliminating handicapped, ill, old, poor and other people it does not like and/or considers to be "unproductive" by its standards and consumers of resources those in power would rather keep for themselves. It treats people like animals or even vermin.
A. Joy Whipp
It has always been known this would end up being exactly what it has become. Acting shocked is really just part of people playing their role in this charade.
Simply, GOD IS OUR CREATOR. He alone determines the length of our days. That is all we need to know. To chose to end a life by ANY OTHER means is wrong.
People we must get the simple truth from the word. 🙏
Darlene DeAngelis
Father God I lift up the United States maybe we continue to defend our country against any other country that is trying to take us over father God you will show who you are to the countries that are infiltrating our country illegally father God I ask you to release your Wrath on the people that are trying to do evil to us father God thank you for protecting us and exposing all the evil that is surrounding the United States father God China is one of your possessions shake the people in China that are in government trying to shake the USA in Jesus name I pray no weapon formed against us will prosper all countries will know who you are God Almighty all powerful one nation under God and that includes the whole world in Jesus name
Nancy Berkey
Lord God, please give a reformation spirit in America that ALL will desire of YOUR word and teachings. Open they eyes of all to find You as their personal Saviour. Also Lord, I pray these depopulation schemes as euthanasia, abortion, drugs (pharmacy or illegal), and criminalization of the lands will stop. Please look out for us oh Lord. Save Your people and bless Your inheritance. In the Holy Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.☦️
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George L
Lord, we pray for a the compassionate care of those in great medical difficulties. And for those who place any other value above human life and respect of those such rights to even the least of our their nations citizens, I pray they repent of their ways before the end of their days. Amen
Zoe E
Christine S
Dear God This is horrifying on an unspeakable scale. Please come to the rescue of all these people who are "tired of life" and give them Your Eternal Hope! Lord, we pray for a culture that honors life to bloom in our nation and around the world.