27/02/2013

Supreme Court Hears Argument For Suicide Law

It would be possible to design legislation to allow the terminally ill to end their lives with assistance, without a risk to others, the Supreme Court has been told.

Lawyers for 59-year-old Marie Fleming, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, made the argument to the court in Ms Fleming’s high court appeal.

Ms Fleming is appealing a decision of the high court, which ruled against her landmark challenge to the ban on assisted suicide.

Last month the high court ruled any relaxation of the absolute ban could put other vulnerable people at risk.

Senior Counsel for Ms Fleming Brian Murray told the court it may be legitimate Government policy to discourage people from choosing death over life.

However, it was not a proper basis for telling people what decision they can make about their lives.

(H/GK)


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