X-Message-Number: 25187
From: "Basie" <>
Subject: UK allows 'suicide journey'
Date: Tue, 30 Nov 2004 15:20:10 -0500

UK allows 'suicide journey'

London - A British court Tuesday ruled against blocking the "suicide 
tourism" of a man who is seeking to take his terminally-ill wife to 
Switzerland to die.

The judgment, which does not overturn British law criminalizing assisted 
suicide, nevertheless could have a major impact on families who seek 
euthanasia services for their dying or critically-ill loved ones.

A High Court judge in London lifted a temporary injunction placed on the 
couple's trip, but said that police may still decide to arrest the husband.

Judge Mark Hedley concluded that "the court should not frustrate indirectly 
the rights of Mrs Z. The role of Mr Z is now a matter for the criminal 
justice agencies."

Hedley ordered that the identity of the couple be kept confidential.

"This is a very important judgment, a watershed. It means that the Suicide 
Act is on its last legs," said Deborah Annetts, chief executive of the 
Voluntary Euthanasia Society.

According to section 2 of the 1961 law, helping a person commit suicide in 
Britain is punishable by up to 14 years in jail.

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