Legislation for euthanasia in New Zealand has been called deeply alarming.

International human rights firm, ADF International delivered a statement to the United Nations on the dangers for the elderly when euthanasia is legalized.

Giorgio Mazzoli said a fair and just society cares for its most vulnerable. “The potential impact that the legalization of euthanasia and assisted suicide via the End of Life Choice Act of 2019 would have on older persons in New Zealand is deeply alarming. While the eligibility requirements are supposedly strict, the experience of other countries, where the practice is permitted, shows that once the door is open to intentional killing, there is no logical stopping point”.

He added: “If human dignity becomes linked to a person’s state of health or self-determination, it loses its inherent and objective character. Legalizing euthanasia and assisted suicide will further increase social pressure on the elderly, who may be led to believe that their lives are ‘completed’ and ‘no longer worth living’”.