The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reports that the government of Quebec will introduce legislation to legalize physician assisted suicide in the province between 7 and 14 June, 2013. The draft bill is expected to assert that physician assisted suicide is a form of health care, and thus (under Canada’s constitutional division of powers) subject to provincial regulation, not the Criminal Code, a federal law that prohibits the procedures. Depending upon the wording of the bill, the proposed legislation could include euthanasia by physicians. Dr. Paul Saba of Physicians for Social Justice, a group that opposes the legislation, states that he will refuse to assist or refer any patient who asks for assisted suicide or euthanasia, regardless of the law or the policies of the Collège des médecins du Québec (Quebec College of Physicians), the state regulator of the practice of medicine. [CBC]
Concerns raised about freedom of conscience in Ireland
The protection of conscience provision in a preliminary draft Irish abortion law has been criticized by Dr. Donal O’Mathuna, a lecturer in ethics at Dublin City University. Dr. O’Mathuna objected to the claim that freedom of conscience is enjoyed by individuals, but not by institutions, and to the provision demanding mandatory referral by objecting physicians. Dr. John Murray, a lecturer in moral theology at Mater Dei Institute and chairman of the board of The Iona Institute, insisted that Irish politicians must vote according to their conscientious convictions, even if that means defying the party whips. [Iona Institute]
Ruling in favour of freedom of conscience to be appealed
The National Health Service of Greater Glasgow and Clyde, regional provider of state health care, will attempt to overturn an appeal court ruling favourable to freedom of conscience for health care workers by appealing to Britain’s Supreme Court. Two midwives who, for reasons of conscience, refused to participate in the supervision and support of staff providing abortions successfully appealed a lower court ruling against them. The judgement of the appeal court was given in April. [Irish Post]
Philippines Supreme Court sets new date for RH bill hearing
As a result of continuing interventions, the Supreme Court of the Philippines has rescheduled a hearing into the controversial Reproductive Health law from June 18 to 9 July, 2013. The operation of the law has been suspended pending a review by the Supreme Court. [Sun Star]
Legal Restrictions Affecting Christians / Report 2012
Report Finds Large Number of Cases of Intolerance and Legal Restrictions Effecting Christians in Europe
Vienna / European Union, May 22, 2013. The Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians releases 41 examples of national laws with adverse effects on Christians in more than 15 European Countries. Additionally, 169 cases of intolerance against Christians in the EU – area in 2012 are portrayed. The report was presented on May 21 at an OSCE High Level Conference on Tolerance and Non-discrimination held in
Tirana, Albania, in a keynote speech delivered by the Observatory’s director Dr. Gudrun Kugler. [Full news release and documents]