6 Mar 2015

Medics oppose assisted dying says Dutch exponent

7:15 pm on 6 March 2015

A visiting Dutch exponent of voluntary euthanasia says the medical professional bodies he has met with are against legalising medically assisted dying.

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Photo: 123RF

Communications director of the World Federation of Right to Die Societies, Dr Rob Jonquiere, has held discussions with the Medical Council, the Medical Association and the Nurses Organisation this week.

Dr Jonquiere said legalising voluntary euthanasia in New Zealand is not a matter of if, but when.

He said medical professional bodies need to remain neutral as it is such a divisive topic, and he hoped the issue would go before a select committee this year.

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