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By Gudrun Schultz

MARSEILLES, France, June 28, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – A documentary promoting euthanasia received the 5th European Broadcasting Union Golden Link Award, at the documentary film festival the Sunny Side of the Doc, in Marseilles last week.

EXIT, le droit de mourir (the right to die) was produced using public funds by an association of five European Public Broadcasters. The documentary promotes Switzerland’s liberal approach to assisted suicide, where organizations have set up clinics offering assisted suicide “services”, for a fee, to both Swiss residents and foreigners.

The film purports to show “how volunteers accompany sick and handicapped people towards a death of their choice that seems more dignified to them”, said EBU News, adding that the film asks the “quintessential, intimate question” of whether choosing the means of death is the ultimate freedom.

“The reality,” said Alex Schadenberg, executive director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, “is that euthanasia represents the ultimate abandonment of individuals who are in need of excellent care to live, not death.”

Schadenberg issued a statement against the film, saying, “The cause celeb of euthanasia is, once again, being promoted through the reception of awards for propaganda films that in this case was produced by public money. The euthanasia movement realizes that culture and public opinion are changed by emotionally charged dramatic films championing their cause.”

“Euthanasia is clearly about a eugenic attitude toward the lives of people with disabilities. ‘Exit’ is really not concerned with whether or not someone is receiving the necessary supports for life, or care for their emotional and psychological needs. They essentially care about causing death and promoting reasons to die.”
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  See related LifeSiteNews coverage:

Neighbors Complain Swiss Euthanasia ‘Clinic’ Parade of Dead Bodies Disturbing
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/jun/06060807.html

Swiss Dignitas Organization Euthanized 22 British
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/sep/04090305.html

Inquest Opens into Couple’s Double Suicide Death at Swiss Dignitas Facility
https://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/jun/04062210.html