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. Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=25187