Euthanasia

latest news & developments
Right to die: DignitySA founder and writer Sean Davison outside the court during his murder trial in Cape Town in 2019. Photo: Jaco Marais/ Netwerk24/Gallo Images

The right to die, warts and all

The activist professor’s second book explores the unvarnished truth behind assisted death

Once again the issue of voluntary euthanasia is before the courts, and once again the state is trying to hold back the inevitable. (John McCann/M&G)

The state continues to deny South Africans their ‘last right’ – euthanasia

Once again the issue of voluntary euthanasia is before the courts, and once again the state is trying to hold back the inevitable

People in South Africa do not need to travel to Europe to have a dignified death, but more needs to be done to make that possible in hospitals, in hospices and at home. (Getty Images)

Why I do not support active euthanasia

In a country where spirituality and faith play such an important role, the rational argument will not convince

Once again the issue of voluntary euthanasia is before the courts, and once again the state is trying to hold back the inevitable. (John McCann/M&G)

Why I support active euthanasia

People’s morality, religion or culture should not override other people’s right to end their lives

David Goodall reacts during a news conference a day before he died in Basel

104-year-old scientist ends his life at Swiss clinic

David Goodall, a renowned Australian scientist, travelled to Switzerland to end his own life

Research at Stellenbosch University looks at the link between viral infections and cardiovascular disease.

Supreme Court of Appeals overturns ruling allowing “assisted dying”

In 2015, the High Court granted a terminally ill man, Robin Stransham-Ford, the right to die with dignity by way of euthanasia.

Why end-of-life care is more than just making mere health decisions. (Reuters)

​It’s time to revisit the right to assisted suicide and euthanasia

There is certain utility in having a living will but it remains legally inert, writes Neil Kirby.

Constitutional court.

Editorial: Matter of life and death

The Constitutional Court must indeed rule on the matter of doctor-assisted dying, if only because of the need for a national rule.

Death and the high cost of living

Our health minister’s ideas on euthanasia have no place in a secular country like ours.

France moves toward allowing euthanasia with new legislation

A new legislation states that terminally ill patients are allowed the right to ongoing sedation until death, if requested.

Thinking about a good death: Jo Beecham is suffering from incurable ovarian cancer and has decided to take an overdose to kill herself.

Choosing when I want to die

Desmond Tutu and others have commented recently on the right to euthanasia. What about self-euthanasia?

The right to life – and death

However much we abhor the idea, the choice is personal and should be respected

Euthanasia no answer to life’s challenges

Dr JV Larsen repsonds to the article The right to life – and death.

Sean Davison helped his terminally ill mother die in New Zealand in 2006.

SA professor claims ‘doctors secretly help patients die’

Western Cape University Professor Sean Davison says SA should legalise euthanasia as many doctors already secretly help elderly patients to die.

South Africa

There is dignity in being allowed to ‘die like a dog’

Authors of nonfiction books on assisted suicide risk imprisonment, especially if the book is published in New Zealand, writes Barbara Erasmus.