As defined by the Oxford Dictionary, “Euthanasia is the practise of killing without pain a person who is suffering from a disease that cannot be cured.” This occurs in order to limit the individual’s suffering, in which their consent arises from their own free will. In Cypriot jurisdiction there is no legislative guidance on this particular area of field, whereas this touches the core of bioethics and is characterised as a sensitive topic. Moreover, this can be a controversial issue between Human Rights, Religion and the Penal Code.
Is worth saying that a 2013 study written by Televantos, A., Talias, M.A. and Charalambous, M. has shown that the majority of Greek Cypriots are not in favour, therefore not supporting, the right of life-ending methods for people with incurable diseases and illnesses. Nevertheless, a more recent study has not occurred, therefore the data might come in contrast after 10 years when the study took place.
In addition to the relevant study, the authors argued that the characteristics such as education and younger generations, have shown to have a positive objective towards the concept of life-ending or euthanasia, while on the contrast, older people and people with strong belief and reliance towards religion subsequently, tend to have a negative attitude towards establishing the process of euthanasia in Cyprus. Cultural and social traditions, with great respect to family bonding as well, may also have a significant role in the scope of the whole concept of establishing and legalising euthanasia.
Debates between political parties have started discussing about terminating the life of terminally-ill patients. On the 19th of October 2024, the issue was tabled by the chair of the Human Rights Committee, AKEL MP Irini Charalambides. As the matter is an ongoing topic to discussion, the Human Rights Committee, will invite palliative care to patients who are in final stages to contribute, participate and discuss in the debate. Regardless of the fact that the topic is still under examination in the Parliament and MP’s are still discussing, there is no published or provided legislation yet. Additionally, as we roll down 2025, the people who fall into this category, shall be granted the right to decide about their future. Countries such as Switzerland, Belgium and Canada have legalised this procedure and do not go against the individual’s human rights.
Nevertheless, the choice is between a serene pain-free and respectable death in contrast with a crucially painful death at the last stage of terminally-ill patients. This is a matter of fact a sensitive topic as it touches the core of the person’s rights and beliefs. Furthermore, the legislative matter of the issue is an area that needs to be discovered and resolved.
Article 7 of the Cypriot Constitution mentions the “right to life” which some will argue that can be in contrast to the whole topic. The patient has also the right of respect to private life and respect towards the decisions that they make for themself such as making crucial medical decisions and undergoing medical procedures (ex. DNR, DNI), therefore to be medically emancipated. It is
strongly argumentative that the article refers to life and respect to private life, but death shall be considered also the last part of someone’s life and shall be granted the right to choose the most respectful way possible to put an end to their suffering.
Moreover, it must also be noted that the method shall not be mistakably misunderstood for a “luxurious suicide” towards terminally-ill patients and/or doctors facing charges of homicide, but each patient choosing and deciding the most respectful way of putting an end to their suffering of an unending sequence of unbearable pain that they will never recover from it.
As this choice currently is forbidden by the laws of Cyprus and is a very contradictory subject in emotional, legal and ethical viewpoint, it is the Parliament’s discretionary power to provide the option of euthanasia to terminally-ill patients, as the method is already in force in other areas across the world. However, it is the Parliament’s paramount attention to show extra caution in regards to the criteria that need to be met in order for someone to be found eligible for the process to occur.
Lastly, and more importantly, let’s not forget, that the Parliament is there for providing services, finding ways and serving the people that are legally part of the Republic and is for the sake of its people that the Parliament is in existence.
Author
Nicolas Nicolaou