Tag: Council of Europe

EU Commissioner for Human Rights supports right to conscientious objection

Thomas Hammarberg, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, has issued a statement supporting the exercise of conscientious objection to military service.  He argues that objectors should be given a “genuinely civilian” alternative to compulsory military service, not imprisoned. [CE press release]

Council of Europe asserts that euthanasia “must always be prohibited”

In a document addressing the issue of advance directives, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe included the statement, “Euthanasia, in the sense of the intentional killing by act or omission of a dependent human being for his or her alleged benefit, must always be prohibited.”  While the document is not legally binding on member states of the European Union, it has persuasive weight.  It thus seems less likely that health care workers who object to euthanasia will be pressured to participate in the procedure.  However, the document makes no reference to assisted suicide. [Resolution 1859 (2012)]

British member of European Parliament favours assisted suicide

Member of the European Parliament Roger Helmer has written in favour of assisted suicide on grounds beyond those recommended by a recent report by a private commission, advocating the availability of the procedure for those not terminally ill.  He explicitly argues that the cost of supporting people with advanced dementia is one reason to accept the practice. [TFA]

Project Submission to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

Re: Women’s access to lawful medical care: the problem of unregulated use of conscientious objection.

(6 October, 2010)

  • Background | On 7 October, 2010, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) considered a report recommending that freedom of conscience be denied to denominational health care facilities and, in  large part, to medical practitioners. Project Submission