STRASBOURG, January 23, 2002 (LSN.ca) – The European Court of Human Rights decided yesterday, not only to hear, but to give priority to the case of Dianne Pretty, a UK woman who has become the latest poster-child for euthanasia advocates. The European Court has also decided to “communicate the application to the United Kingdom Government as matter of urgency.” The decision has thrilled euthanasia activists who suggested the case could go to court within months. Last November, the UK House of Lords rejected an appeal by Pretty, a 47-year-old British woman suffering from motor neurone disease, who asked the courts to allow her husband to assist in her suicide without facing criminal charges. Five law lords unanimously dismissed the appeal, saying that human rights legislation, on which grounds Pretty appealed, was in place to protect life rather than end it. Pretty also lost her case in a unanimous ruling at the High Court.
Alex Schadenberg of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition told LifeSite, “The European court of human rights has to recognize the concerns of disabled people throughout all of Europe and how euthanasia and assisted suicide directly threaten their lives. The British courts ruled against Pretty’s request due to their concerns for all vulnerable people in Britain. We strongly object to anybody having the right to kill another person, even for reasons of supposed mercy.”
See the European Court of Human Rights release on the Pretty case: https://www.echr.coe.int/Eng/Press/jan/Prettyepress.htm
See related LifeSite coverage: BRITAIN’S TOP COURT REJECTS WOMAN’S APPEAL FOR ASSISTED SUICIDE https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2001/nov/011129.html#2