Prague - The word euthanasia translates literally as "good death" from ancient Greek. Euthanasia, or assisted suicide, has sparked intermittent discussions around the globe, including in the Czech Republic, and has been called merciful by some and sinful and murderous by others.
Now, the first euthanasia bill in the Czech Republic, drafted by Senator Václava Domšová from the Union of Independents-European Democrats (SNK-ED), has been presented to the Czech government. Domšová cooperated on the bill with the Liberal Reform Party (Lira).
According to the Czech News Agency, Domšová believes people with incurable diseases should be allowed to end their painful lives with dignity with the assistance of a doctor.
Merciful or murderous?
Czech Senate will begin to discuss the draft bill this fall. At the moment, it seems it will not be approved, as it doesn't have the support of the majority of Senators.
The law would legalize not only assisted suicide, but would also give patients in a coma, the right to die with a doctor's help.
This kind of situation, however, would require a document called a "living will", which would define a patient´s wishes as to how he or she should be treated in the event of serious illness and/or disability.
When drafting the bill, Domšová was inspired by laws that legalized euthanasia in Belgium and the state of Oregon in the United States.
Despite the fact that he has been mulling support of euthanasia, Civic Democratic (ODS) lawmaker Boris Šťastný opposes Domšová´s bill.
Czechs pro-euthanasia
Euthanasia demanded by a patient can be legally carried out in the Netherlands, Belgium, United States´ Oregon, Colombia and Switzerland.
According to the poll conducted by SC&C for Mladá fronta Dnes daily, two thirds of Czech citizens would like to see euthanasia legalized.
Fears of abuse
However the issue is far more controversial and the idea of legalization lacks support among Czech lawmakers, .
Out of 186 polled MPs, 92 were against euthanasia, while 60 MPs approve of it. More than 30 lawmakers are undecided whether whey would vote for the bill or against it.
Opponents of euthanasia argue that laws regulating euthanasia could be abused and people who do not want to die could be killed. Typical opponents among citizens are the church and faith groups. For them, life was given by God and only God can end it.
All members of the Christian Democratic Party (KDU-ČSL) are against euthanasia. Defense Minister Vlasta Parkanová calls it "legalizing trade in death".
