By Heather Graham
Image source: Flickr.
In
1992 Sue Rodriguez, a British Columbian woman, fought to the higher echelons of
the legal system, the Supreme Court of Canada: for her right to assistance to
commit suicide. In a court case that ensued for over 2 years, Rodriguez
was eventually denied her request, her right to die with dignity. In a 5-4
split the Supreme Court justices dismissed her case of discrimination against
her right to life, liberty, and security of the person (S.7 Canadian Charter of
Rights and Freedoms), based on state justice fundamentals to protect vulnerable
people and uphold the sanctity of life (S. 241b).(Malloy, 1) In the case
of terminal illness, the ability to end ones life should be the entitlement and
free will of the patient to choose, without risking criminal persecution for
auxiliary personnel, regardless of Religious affiliation, and be sanctioned by
legal processes.
Image source: Flickr.
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