Assignment 2: The right to life and death
Yara Langeveld (2760223)
Workgroup 3/subgroup 10 - Health, Globalisation and Human Rights - MPA
13/11/2023
399 words
Dementia is an increasingly common condition that causes memory loss and affects more than
55 million people worldwide1. An important issue associated with dementia is assisted death or
euthanasia, which is yet limited available. The “right to die” is, however, just as important as the
“right to life”. In order to honour the dignity and autonomy of individuals with dementia, assisted
death with advanced dementia should be available when they request it in a state of “compos
mentis”, in other words, in full control of their own mind2,3.
An important principle of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is dignity, which
entails that no one should be humiliated4. Some medical conditions, such as dementia, are
terminal conditions and accompanied by a slow deterioration, which robs the patients of their
dignity in life and humiliates them3. Hereby, assisted death can enable dying with dignity.
Moreover, current medical practices can prolong human life substantially, which also prolongs
this unnecessary suffering and humiliation if no action is taken. In addition, it is important to
respect people’s freedom and autonomy, which refers to not being obstructed in
self-determination4. Therefore, there should be solidarity towards the choice of dementia
patients for assisted death, whereby the “right to private life” is protected5. On the other hand,
euthanasia also goes against an important human right, the “right to life”, because assisted death
is an unnatural termination of life and thereby inconsistent with this right2. The medical
profession is also expected to provide care instead of harm to patients, and there is fear that
euthanasia will be abused when the cost of living is too high. However, the “right to life” is
inextricably linked to the “right to die” and both rights should be equally honoured in healthcare,
as people also have the right to refuse medical treatment that prolongs life by law2. To ensure
that euthanasia is not abused, a deep dialogue with dementia patients is advisable, whereby a
physician and patient come to a mutual understanding and conclusion about the end of the
patient’s life6.
All life comes to an end and everyone deserves both a dignified and autonomous life and death.
Therefore, individuals with dementia should be allowed to request assisted death when they are
still in full control of their own mind. This way, both the “right to life” and “right to die” are
honoured for this large, growing patient group.
1
World Health Organization (WHO). (March 15, 2023). Dementia. Retrieved November 7, 2023,
from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia
2
Math, S. B., & Chaturvedi, S. K. (2012). Euthanasia: right to life vs right to die. Indian Journal of
Medical Research, 136, 899–902. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23391785
3
Van Niekerk, A. (2016, October 25). We have a right to die with dignity. The medical profession has
a duty to assist. The Conversation. Retrieved November 7, 2023, from
https://theconversation.com/we-have-a-right-to-die-with-dignity-the-medical-profession-ha
s-a-duty-to-assist-67574
Yara Langeveld (2760223)
Workgroup 3/subgroup 10 - Health, Globalisation and Human Rights - MPA
13/11/2023
399 words
Dementia is an increasingly common condition that causes memory loss and affects more than
55 million people worldwide1. An important issue associated with dementia is assisted death or
euthanasia, which is yet limited available. The “right to die” is, however, just as important as the
“right to life”. In order to honour the dignity and autonomy of individuals with dementia, assisted
death with advanced dementia should be available when they request it in a state of “compos
mentis”, in other words, in full control of their own mind2,3.
An important principle of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is dignity, which
entails that no one should be humiliated4. Some medical conditions, such as dementia, are
terminal conditions and accompanied by a slow deterioration, which robs the patients of their
dignity in life and humiliates them3. Hereby, assisted death can enable dying with dignity.
Moreover, current medical practices can prolong human life substantially, which also prolongs
this unnecessary suffering and humiliation if no action is taken. In addition, it is important to
respect people’s freedom and autonomy, which refers to not being obstructed in
self-determination4. Therefore, there should be solidarity towards the choice of dementia
patients for assisted death, whereby the “right to private life” is protected5. On the other hand,
euthanasia also goes against an important human right, the “right to life”, because assisted death
is an unnatural termination of life and thereby inconsistent with this right2. The medical
profession is also expected to provide care instead of harm to patients, and there is fear that
euthanasia will be abused when the cost of living is too high. However, the “right to life” is
inextricably linked to the “right to die” and both rights should be equally honoured in healthcare,
as people also have the right to refuse medical treatment that prolongs life by law2. To ensure
that euthanasia is not abused, a deep dialogue with dementia patients is advisable, whereby a
physician and patient come to a mutual understanding and conclusion about the end of the
patient’s life6.
All life comes to an end and everyone deserves both a dignified and autonomous life and death.
Therefore, individuals with dementia should be allowed to request assisted death when they are
still in full control of their own mind. This way, both the “right to life” and “right to die” are
honoured for this large, growing patient group.
1
World Health Organization (WHO). (March 15, 2023). Dementia. Retrieved November 7, 2023,
from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia
2
Math, S. B., & Chaturvedi, S. K. (2012). Euthanasia: right to life vs right to die. Indian Journal of
Medical Research, 136, 899–902. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23391785
3
Van Niekerk, A. (2016, October 25). We have a right to die with dignity. The medical profession has
a duty to assist. The Conversation. Retrieved November 7, 2023, from
https://theconversation.com/we-have-a-right-to-die-with-dignity-the-medical-profession-ha
s-a-duty-to-assist-67574
