
The fifth commandment of God,” Thou shalt not kill” should not be subject to a referendum. If we dare to challenge the authority of Almighty God the author of life, we may incur His Wrath.
Right to Life is opposed to a binding referendum that will be inflicted on our nation should the contentious End of Life Choice Bill be passed at its third reading on November 13th. This binding referendum would be conducted at the general election in 2020. The most fundamental medical ethic of not killing or helping patients kill themselves must not be reduced to a popularity contest.
Right to Life is disappointed that the nine members of the caucus of NZ First pledged to support the third reading of the bill on the condition that Parliament voted to support its Supplementary Order Paper requiring a binding referendum. NZ First had a duty to protect life by voting against this evil bill and not by voting for it on condition of a referendum. If this evil bill is passed, NZ First must accept responsibility.
Right to Life also questions the integrity of our Prime Minister. Jacinda Ardern was quoted in the NZ Herald in June as saying, “My view is that a referendum isn’t required to ensure that the voice of New Zealanders has been heard and to reflect the will of Parliament and the people they represent, She also said “I will be voting for the bill to continue as it stands.” Why then, did she undermine Parliament by voting for a referendum?
Euthanasia is about doctors killing their patients or assisting in their suicide. It is intrinsically evil; no referendum can legitimise that which is evil. The prohibition against taking the life of another human being is the foundation of the law and medicine. It is always wrong to kill another innocent human being. The approval of the community, even in a referendum, can never make murder acceptable. A referendum is an attempt to seduce and to implicate the whole community in the murder of the vulnerable.
Right to Life is implacably opposed to a referendum on this issue because it is based on the false and dangerous premise that the community has a right to decide who shall be allowed to be killed. This presumption is a violation of the inalienable right to life of every member of the community. The community has a collective duty to protect the inalienable right to life of every member of the community from conception to natural death.
Parliament has a sacred duty to protect the lives of every member of the community. It can protect the community by voting decisively to defeat this bill at its third reading
Ken Orr,
Spokesperson,
Right to Life.