Reports are emerging of a shocking incident in Holland where an elderly patient suffering from dementia was apparently forcibly held down by members of her own family, while a doctor administered a lethal dose of medicine to end her life.
The woman’s efforts to save her own life were ignored, in a story that is sure to strike terror in the hearts of all those who want to see elderly people cared for with love and compassion. Countries like Holland and Belgium have allowed euthanasia to take hold in a horrific way. Even before this latest story, news emerged of a child who was euthanised in Belgium.
What’s next? Why are the laws in these countries not supporting people when they are at their most vulnerable?
The Daily Telegraph, which reported this story, said that the doctor was cleared of any wrongdoing. But the fact remains that what happened to this woman is like something out of a horror film. Except it’s happening, in a country and a hospital that would be described as “civilised” by anyone. Whatever happened to a doctor’s vow to save lives instead of ending them?
Most of all, where is the outrage from international human rights groups like Amnesty International and the United Nations? Who is there to stand up for what this woman deserved – her life, which was ended in such a cruel and inhumane way? It’s high time the practice of euthanasia was put under the microscope so we can all see the abuses of the elderly that it leads to.