"Doctors are more confident now that they will not be prosecuted," said Dr Rob Jonquiere of the Netherlands' main pro-euthanasia lobby. "And nor has the new law brought about the enormous rise in euthanasia cases everyone expected."
According to Jonquiere, the momentum for pan-European legalization is growing. "Our example already gave a boost to other countries. Belgium has followed suit, Luxembourg has been busy and only missed legalization by one or two votes. We know they are busy in France and in the UK there is a bill in the House of Lords."
For the Dutch activist, the case of Vincent and Marie Humbert is "a tragic example of what happens when you don't legalize, and people are forced to help someone they love die on their own, and illegally, when it should all be subject to transparency and proper medical advice."
But many, including the French health minister, Jean-Francois Mattei, remain unconvinced. He fears that no amount of legislation can resolve what will always remain "a problem of conscience." Pro-legalization campaigners may, however, take some heart from Mattei's remark that a "code of good conduct" for euthanasia may be useful: Which is exactly what the Dutch government decided, more than 15 years ago.
RSS