Church opposes recommendations favoring euthanasia

Church in Kerala has vehemently opposed the latest recommendations of the state Law Reforms Commission that aims to legalise euthanasia and make suicide attempts non-punishable.

"Life is something which is worth having, you long to live. If that value is gone, euthanasia is the only remedy. Remove what keeps the man merely existing," Justice (retd) VK Krishna Iyer, a well know advocate of euthanasia, says.

It suggested that mercy killing should be carried out with the written sanction of three state-recognised doctors certifying that the patient under consideration is an appropriate case for euthanasia.

Responding to the recommendations of the commission headed by former Supreme Court judge V R Krishna Iyer, the Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council said, it would fully oppose the reforms and challenge them in the court.

"This is against the teachings and the beliefs of the church. The church considers this as a violation of human rights," spokesperson Kerala Catholic Bishops' Council (KCBC), Rev Dr Stephen Alathara said.

"The universal declaration of human rights article 3 stresses the dignity of the human life hence church cannot accept the new proposal of the Kerala Law Reform Commission regarding the mercy killing and suicide," he added.

In addition to these, the commission also recommended a trust or board to manage the properties of the Church.

In a press release, the Bishop's council slammed the state government saying, it is part of the communists move against people who "believe in God."

The state and individuals also have no right to decide on life, the release said. Life is a gift from God and humans have no right to take it away. The government should not engage in creating laws against life, it said.