Select country: Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Colombia, Denmark, England, Europe, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, USA, World, all countries.

Australia:
Glacial Investigation Keeps Death On Ice
Nearly 3 years after the death of Steve Guest , a journalist and former media adviser to the Cain Government in Victoria, the coroner still has not handed down a finding.

Australia:
Parliament Steps Rally To Support Dying With Dignity Bill
Dying With Dignity Victoria (DWDV) will hold the annual Steve Guest Day Rally on the steps of Parliament House Victoria on Wednesday, April 16th at 1-2 p.m.

The rally is in support of the Private Members Bill now being introduced into the Parliament of Victoria to enact the right to die with dignity: The Medical Treatment (Physician Assisted Dying) Bill 2008.

Netherlands:
Summary Relevant 1 February 2008
Relevant is the quarterly magazine of the NVVE.

Netherlands:
Invitation to NVVE Symposium in Amsterdam
The Symposium will take place on Friday March 28, 2008 in Amsterdam

Australia:
Dying With Dignity Victoria (Feb. 2008) newsletter
The newsletter of Dying with Dignity Victoria, Australia.

USA:
Winter 2007 Newsletter of the World Federation of Right to Die Societies
The Winter 2007 issue of the newsletter of the World Federation of Right to Die Societies.

Netherlands:
Summary Relevant 4, December 2007

Australia:
DWDV November 2007 Newsletter

Netherlands:
English summary of Relevent's Extra Issue for Summer 2007.

Luxembourg:
ADMD-Luxembourg News - First Quarter 2007

Australia:
DWDV supporters poll by-election candidates
Supporters of DWDV have been polling candidates for the upcoming by-elections in the Victorian seats of Albert Park and Williamstown for their position on DWDV's Legislative Charter to grant terminally and incurably ill Victorians with profound suffering the right to physician assisted dying (PAD).

Netherlands:
Summary Relevant August 2007

Australia:
Dying With Dignity Victoria (August) newsletter
The newsletter of Dying with Dignity Victoria, Australia.

Australia:
Thwaites Sponsors Dying With Dignity Petition
A petition with over eight thousand signatures was presented to the Parliament by the Deputy Premier on Tuesday 17th July.

Australia:
Hundreds Attend Dying With Dignity Rally
A rally on the steps of Parliament House today [Wed20June] drew hundreds of supporters demanding law form for dying with dignity in Victoria. The rally commemorated the second anniversary of the death of Steve Guest, a journalist and former media advisor to the Cain Labor Government....

Netherlands:
Summary of Dutch Research
Research has been carried out in connection with the evaluation of the WTL so as to provide insight into practical developments in medical decision-making at the end of life and into the efficacy and side effects of the WTL.

Netherlands:
Number of euthanasia cases drops
he number of euthanasia cases has dropped over the past few years, though the number of terminal patients receiving palliative sedation has increased.

Netherlands:
Dutch euthanasia law five years old.
Five years ago, 1 April 2002, the Netherlands introduced a new law on euthanasia, becoming the first country in the world to legalise the practice within strict boundaries.

Netherlands:
No changes to Dutch laws.
Bussemaker said that the government will not tamper with a woman's right to choose if she opts for an abortion.

Netherlands:
Why nobody else wants euthanasia.

Victoria, Australia:
Dying With Dignity Victoria May 2007 Newsletter
The newsletter of Dying with Dignity Victoria, Australia.

Victoria, Australia:
Minister Thumbs Nose at Terminally Ill
During the debate, Pyne made several misleading assertions. Other debaters had to correct the Minister. Mr Neil Francis, President of Dying With Dignity Victoria, said “This poll delivers an unambiguous message to Canberra—one that can’t be ignored.

Europe:
Newsletter RtD-Europe December 2006/January 2007
The latest developments on assisted dying in Europe.

Oregon, USA:
Oregon's Death with Dignity Act Annual Reports
Under Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act (DWDA), terminally-ill adult Oregonians are allowed to obtain and use prescriptions from their physicians for self-administered, lethal medications. The Oregon Public Health Division is required by the Act to collect information on compliance and to issue an annual report.

Australia:
Dying With Dignity Law Reform Inevitable - New Poll
The proposals for law reform put forward by DWDV in a Legislative Charter posted at [link http://www.dwdv.org.au/Docs/DWDVLegislativeCharter.pdf]http://www.dwdv.org.au/Docs/DWDVLegislativeCharter.pdf[/link] have already been endorsed by the Australian Nurses Federation (Victoria), the Doctor’s Reform Society of Australia, the Victorian AIDS Council, the Victorian Council for Civil Liberties and the Humanist Society of Victoria, as well as by a number of Victorian politicians.

Canada:
Palliative Care – Not a One Issue Debate
The Australian organizations listed below, seeking law reform to permit patient choice for a medically assisted death, call upon Palliative Care Australia to acknowledge its responsibility to all suffering people under its care ...

Netherlands:
Summary Relevant January 2007

Netherlands:
Summary Relevant June 2007

USA:
Kevorkian to Be Paroled.
Dr. Jack Kevorkian will be granted parole from a prison in Michigan on June 1, the time when he would be eligible to be considered...

Italy:
Piergiorgio Welby Update
Mr. Welby, 60, had his wish fulfilled by Dr. Mario Ricci who sedated him then disconnected his respirator; Welby died shortly thereafter on December 20.

World:
Winter 2006 Newsletter of the World Federation of Right to Die Societies
The Winter 2006 issue of the newsletter of the World Federation of Right to Die Societies.

Europe:
Newsletter RtD-Europe October 2006
The latest developments on assisted dying in Europe.

Italy:
New Book in Italian
The publisher Eleuthera, in Milan, Italy, has decided to translate and publish Derek Humphry's latest book "The Good Euthanasia Guide: Where, What, and Who in Choices in Dying". It will be on sale in a few months time.

World:
Results of the World Conference of the WFRtDS

Israel:
Lecture on Terminally Ill Law of Israel
The Terminally Ill Law, 2005, which was passed by the Knesset on 6/12/05, will come into effect on 16/12/06. In this article, Retired Supreme Court Judge Eliyahu Matza, President of Lilach, explains the principles of the Law in layman words.

World:
Manifesto

Italy:
Debate on euthanasia in Italy

Colombia:
Death of a veteran right-to-die campaigner: Beatriz Gomez
Beatriz Gomez, a person who defied all conventional taboos and founded a right-to-die organization in Colombia - a Catholic country and herself a Catholic -- has died. She was 84, and passed away peacefully and suddenly at her home in Bogotá on August 15, 2006.

Europe:
Newsletter RtD-Europe July 2006

Netherlands:
Summary Relevant May 2006

Europe:
Newsletter RtD-E
The latest developments on assisted dying in Europe, edition april 2006.

Japan:
Japanese doctor sparks euthanasia debate
In Japan, a national debate over euthanasia has been sparked by a doctor who's confessed to helping a number of terminally ill patients to die. Doctors can do this in Japan, as long as certain criteria are met. But in this case, the doctor himself concedes that he may not have met those conditions.

United Kingdom:
Church of England unite with Roman Catholic Church against legalisation of 'assisted suicide'
Church of England bishops have united with the Roman Catholic Church in launching a campaign to prevent the legalisation of 'assisted suicide' this week. The Roman Catholic attempt to distribute half a million anti-euthanasia leaflets and DVDs to each of their parishes in England and Wales is the biggest political campaign by the Church.

United Kingdom:
Former president World Federation of Right to Die Societies died
Patrick Nowell-Smith, who was president of the World Federation of Right to Die Societies from l984-1986 has died in England at the age of 91.

Australia:
Demoralisation Syndrome and the end of life
Demoralisation Syndrome is a new classification under DSM 1V. This may have implications for informed consent and patient autonomy at the end of life

New Zealand:
Nitschke faces new jail threat
Already under investigation by Melbourne homicide detectives for his role in the suicide of a local man, euthanasia campaigner Dr Philip Nitschke is now facing possible criminal charges in New Zealand.

Netherlands:
Summary Relevant January 2006

United Kingdom:
Retired doctor died with help of Dignitas clinic
A British woman suffering from a rare brain disease has committed assisted suicide in Switzerland.

United Kingdom:
Results of First Ever UK-Wide Study into Euthanasia and End-of-life Decisions
The results of the first UK-wide study into euthanasia, carried out by a Brunel University academic, showing the proportion of UK deaths in which doctors report having assisted patients’ suicide, carried out euthanasia, or taken other medical decisions relating to the ending of life.

Australia:
Criminal Code Suicide Act

United Kingdom:
Eight patients helped to die each day, says survey
Nearly 3,000 patients in Britain were illegally helped to die by doctors last year, while approximately one third of all British deaths during the year were hastened using drugs, new research has suggested.

Australia:
Greg Barns: Howard has another attack on our rights

Australia:
Dare not say its name

World:
Newsletter RtD-Europe, December 2005
At least three common themes can be found in the reports from different countries:
* The double effect issue – morphine eases pain and can hasten death. There is a lack of clarity about medical practice here.
* Palliative care – it is interesting to note that increased quantity and improved quality of palliative care is resulting from pressure from Right to Die groups for greater changes in the law.
* The imbalance between public opinion and government willingness to act.

World:
Newsletter WorldRTD, issue nr 48, November 2005

Israel:
Knesset approves passive euthanasia law
Law states life of terminally ill person who does not wish to continue living will not be extended artificially; health minister: ‘This is one of most important laws passed by Knesset. It represents major moral value for terminally ill and their families’

Europe:
Debate on Marty Report

United Kingdom:
Leslie Burke Case

United Kingdom:
Doctors drop opposition to assisted dying

United Kingdom:
Lord Joffe’s Bill on Assisted dying for the terminally ill

Switzerland:
Report from Swiss National Advisory Commission on Biomedical Ethics
In July this year the Swiss Commission on bioethics issued a report on assisted suicide with a number of recommendations.

Sweden:
Aims and Activities Swedish Society RTVD

Scotland:
Meeting held on Death With Dignity Bill

Netherlands:
NVVE "Do Not Resuscitate Necklace" in MoMA

Netherlands:
Approval of euthanasia for patient with Alzheimer’s disease
The Netherlands first officially reported case of a doctor complying with a request for assisted suicide from a patient with Alzheimer’s disease was lawful, a report has said.

Netherlands:
Cases attracting media attention

Germany:
Cases Attracting Media Attention

Germany:
DGHS position paper

Germany:
Change in care law
On June 2nd the National Ethics Committee published a position paper offering a compromise in the present debate. They recommended that the legislature should provide that living wills be binding on doctors and medical staff.

France:
Press Conference
ADMD plans to re-launch the public debate on end-of-life issues by holding a major press conference on 23 September, the occasion of the publication of a book by Catherine Leguay, an official of ADMD: “Respecting life, arranging death – in favour of a Vincent Humbert law”.

France:
Cases Attracting Media Attention

France:
Ethics Committee in favour of patient’s right to refuse treatment
On June 9th the national consultative committee on ethics presented an opinion on “the refusal of treatment and the autonomy of the person”. The CCNE has formulated a number of recommendations seeking to reconcile new rights for patients with the duties of doctors.

France:
25 Years of ADMD
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the French ADMD. Founded in April 1980 by Michel Landa, the ADMD held its first General Assembly on 2nd June that year.

Denmark:
Danish Society "En Vaerdig Dod"
The Danish society En Vaerdig Dod (EVD) was established only five years ago. It is still small, with only some 300 members.

Belgium:
Law on Patients’ Rights

Belgium:
Supplies for pharmacies
There is an initiative of drug company Multipharma, which has decided to make available in all its pharmacies a pack containing all the products a doctor would need in carrying out an approved euthanasia.

Belgium:
Opponents of euthanasia don’t give up

Belgium:
...And A Nurse
A nurse who was imprisoned for three months in 2000, with her parents, after having given a lethal injection to an aunt suffering from a liver disease has recently been told by her lawyer that the case is to be referred to the courts where she will be accused of manslaughter.

Belgium:
Another Doctor Accused
A GP from Ostend was arrested on 29 July and imprisoned for four days, accused of having ended the lives of 5 patients in a care home over the last 3 years by increasing their doses of morphine. The management of the home brought the case. The case remains open.

Belgium:
A Respected Doctor
A criminal case was launched on 8 July 2000 after the suicide of Jean-Marie Lorand, who was accompanied by his doctor. On 6 June 2005 the Appeal Court of Mons finally dismissed the case.

Scotland:
FATE Council Member Dr Michael Irwin to be 'Struck Off', & erased from Medical Register
FATE Council Member Dr Michael Irwin to be 'Struck Off', & erased from Medical Register. He attempted to help a terminally ill friend die.

World:
WMA stand on euthanasia remains unchanged
The WMA maintains the condemnation of euthanasia and physisian assisted suicide.

Australia:
The World Medical Association and Voluntary Euthanasia
If the World Medical Association can take a neutral stance on abortion and thus acknowledge it to be a matter of conscience for the doctor, why can it not take the same view with voluntary euthanasia?

Netherlands:
NVVE 'Do Not Resuscitate' necklace in MoMA New York

Australia:
Draconian legislation!
Frances Coombe - President of the South Australian Voluntary Euthanasia Society - reacts to the passing of The Criminal Code Amendment (Suicide Related Material Offences) Bill 2005.

United Kingdom:
British Medical Association drops opposition to euthanasia and physician assisted suicide

World:
Helping the World Federation

USA:
Connecticut man gets probation

USA:
Book by Derek Humphry

USA:
Supportive survey

USA:
Community supported dying

USA:
Attempt to replicate Oregon Law

USA:
Supreme Court

USA:
Oregon law

Switzerland:
New medical guidelines

Switzerland:
EXIT Deutsche Schweiz update

Switzerland:
Protest change in laws

South Africa:
Speeches on Living Wills

New Zealand:
VE advocate dies

Netherlands:
Doctor prosecutions

Netherlands:
Terminal sedation vs euthanasia

Germany:
Surveys

Canada:
Right-to-die activist kills self
The Canadian Press reported that a sickly Marcel Tremblay consumed two beers, two shrimp and a crab cake at what he called “a living wake” on Friday, then went home and killed himself, sparking a countrywide debate on the right-to-die issue. Tremblay said he had a litany of health problems, including back trouble, stomach problems and an incurable and eventually fatal lung condition.

Luxembourg:
Plea for assisted dying

Japan:
Hokkaido doctor faces murder charge

World:
News from non-member countries

Europe:
Shame on the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe!

Australia:
'Vulnerable women'
A viewpoint by Julia Anaf (Vice President, South Australia Voluntary Euthanasia Society) on gender and voluntary euthanasia.

Scotland:
Debate on a death with dignity bill initiated

United Kingdom:
Isle of Man

United Kingdom:
TLC (The Last Choice)

United Kingdom:
House of Lords considering PAD

France:
Legal change

Colombia:
Interest in living wills stimulated

Australia:
Technologies developed

Australia:
Killing me softly—a new approach from down under

USA:
What was the Shiavo circus all about? Should we worry?

Australia:
Censorship bill fought

World:
Schiavo tragedy and award-winning films reawake right-to-die interest
The Schiavo case and the movies 'The Sea Inside' and 'Million Dollar Baby' have reawoken interest in Right-to-Die.

Europe:
Newsletter RtD-Europe, April 2005
The latest developments on assisted dying in Europe: Case Law Developments or Cases in National Courts, Books Published, Research published or currently undertaken, Opinion Polls, Campaigns, Cases that have attracted public/media attention, Other issues.

Luxembourg:
ADMD-L conference on accompanied suicide in Switzerland
Elke Baezner spoke at a conference in Luxembourg on accompanied suicide in Switzerland, in view of adding assisted suicide to the statutes of ADMD-L.

Luxembourg:
Adddition to statutes
Addition of assisted suicide to the statutes of ADMD-L

France:
French parliament passes law granting 'right to die'
The French parliament adopted early Wednesday, April 13th, a law that would grant terminally ill patients the "right to die" by allowing them to put a stop to medical treatment, but did not legalize mercy killing.

USA:
Assembly committee endorses physician-assisted suicide bill
A legislative committee endorsed making California the second state in the nation where doctors could prescribe medication to hasten the deaths of terminally ill adults.

United Kingdom:
Lords publish on assisted dying bill
Today, April 4th 2005, a House of Lords Committee published its report on a Bill seeking to legalise assistance with suicide and voluntary euthanasia for terminally-ill people who are mentally competent and suffering unbearably.

USA:
Terry Schiavo died in Florida hospice.
After 13 days without food and hydration Terri Schiavo died in a Florida hospice. Seven years of court battles, including six unsuccessful attempts to have the Supreme Court intervene, resulted in a highly divisive media frenzy over this reputedly shy woman who has been unresponsive for 15 years.

USA:
Atlanta Court of Appeal rejects Terry Schiavo's parents' appeal
The Atlanta federal appeals court Wednesday rejected Terry Schiavo's parents' latest attempt to get the brain-damaged woman's feeding tube reconnected.

USA:
Terry Schiavo's parents continue legal battle
Terry Schiavo's parents get Atlanta Court of Appeal to consider request for new hearing.

USA:
Terri Schiavo: Can she die in peace?
A lookback on the Terry Schiavo case.

USA:
Information on the Terry Schiavo case

Spain:
'Mar Adentro' wins Oscar
The move 'Mar Adentro' by Alejandro Amenabar has won the Oscar for best foreign language film at the 77th Annual Academy Awards.

Scotland:
Meeting of Friends at the End in Glasgow on Saturday 7 May 2005
This meeting, open to members & friends, will feature the Report of the Select Committee of the House of Lords on the "Assisted Dying for the Terminally Ill" bill.

Australia:
South Australian Voluntary Euthanasia Society (SAVES) new mobile display
SAVES displays are used in university forums and at information days in shopping centres. The new display features 8 panels.

Europe:
European Union Grants NGO Status to World Fed

World:
You Can Help The World Federation

World:
Euthanasia Laws Cannot Be Shared

World:
2004 Tokyo Declaration

World:
Living Wills and Advance Directives in the World: Current State and Outlook

USA:
Future Meetings of the WFRtDS

Japan:
Saba Medal For Japanese Group
The Saba Medal, awarded every two years to the person or organization that has done most during that time for the World Federation of Right to Die Societies, was awarded to the Japan Society for Dying with Dignity.

World:
The History of the World Federation
An excerpt of a speech by Sidney Rosoff, the first president of the World Federation about how the organization got its start.

Colombia:
First Marilynne Seguin Award to Colombia’s Beatriz Gomez

USA:
Euthanasia still considered good option in Netherlands

Belgium:
First report on Belgian law

Germany:
German survey reveals confidence in doctors

France:
French introduce Bill for terminally ill to choose their way to die

England:
“Assisted Dying for the Terminally-ill” Bill considered by House of Lords Select Committee

New Zealand:
Lesley Martin convicted

Scotland:
Oregon-modeled proposal in Scottish Parliament

Canada:
Evelyn Martens acquitted

USA:
Bush Administration challenges Oregon Death with Dignity Act

World:
New Board for World Federation

Spain:
An open letter to the WFRtDS delegates and colleagues from Juana Betancor
Juana Betancor was Vice-President of the WF, 2002–2004, and had been in line to become President. Excerpts from the letter she sent to the Board explain the circumstances that prevented her ascension to this office and her absence from the Conference.

World:
Tokyo: living wills among ways for dignified death
The president's report by Jacob Kohnstamm.

Oregon, USA:
New right-to-die online bookstore opens
ERGO (Euthanasia Research and Guidance Organization), a nonprofit Oregon educational corporation, USA, has opened a new online bookstore supplying books and documents on hastened death.

New Zealand:
Lesley Martin released from prison
Voluntary euthanasia campaigner Lesley Martin walked to freedom from Arohata Women's Prison after 7-1/2 months in jail for the attempted murder of her terminally ill mother, Joy Martin.

Scotland:
Meeting of Friends at the End in Glasgow on 22 January 2005
This next meeting, open to members & friends, will feature the interests of Disabled People.

Europe:
Newsletter RtD-Europe, November 2004
The latest developments on assisted dying in Europe: Case Law Developments or Cases in National Courts, Books Published, Research published or currently undertaken, Opinion Polls, Campaigns, Cases that have attracted public/media attention, Other issues.

Netherlands:
Call to allow 'suffering from life' mercy killings
Dutch doctors should be allowed — under very strict conditions — to help with mercy killings or euthanasia of patients who are not ill, but who are suffering from life, a special commission has advised.

New Zealand:
Dr. Nitschke recruits for workshops
Dr. Philip Nitschke has started recruiting the first of four New Zealand voluntary euthanasia advocates who will next year learn how to make a life-ending potion.

World:
Changes in the board of the World Federation of Right to Die societies
The WFRtDS has a new president, Jacob Kohnstamm and a new vice-president, Jacqueline Herremans. Annelies Plaisant was re-elected as treasurer and Faye Girsh is now newsletter editor.

Scotland:
Friends at the End additional, temporary Web-Site
For technical reasons, it has been necessary to create an additional, temporary Web-Site to provide certain information.

Florida, USA:
Florida Court Nixes Law Keeping Woman Alive
Dealing a defeat to Governor Jeb Bush, the Florida Supreme Court on Thursday struck down a law that was rushed through the Legislature last fall to keep a severely brain-damaged woman hooked to a feeding tube.

USA:
New right-to-die organization announced
A new right-to-die organization for the US, named Final Exit Network, was announced September 16th, 2004.

Spain:
United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) rejects Ramon Sampedro's heir demand
The UNHCR ruled the claim of Ramon Samedro's heir against the Spanish government to be inadmissable.

Spain:
Film on Ramon Sampedro' s life to be shown in Venice mostra next September
The film "Mar Adentro" ("Out to the Sea") based on Ramon Sampedro´s life and fight to die-with-dignity has been chosen to be shown in The International Film Festival in Venice (La Mostra).

Netherlands:
Doctors prefer terminal sedation
Last year, for the fourth time, less euthanasia cases were reported in the Netherlands. It is not altogether clear whether doctors seem less inclined to report euthanasia, or that less cases of euthanasia are performed as the patients are terminally sedated. The latter seems to be the case.

Spain:
Bill about legalizing euthanasia rejected in Madrid
The Spanish Parliament rejected a Bill to legalize voluntary euthanasia presented by Esquerra Nacionalista de Cartalunya and Izquieda Unida.

Luxembourg:
National Petition for depenalisation of euthanasia
On June 3rd, three Luxembourg newspapers brought a short appeal to the new coming-in Government to take action on depenalisation of euthanasia - signed by 100 personalities of Luxembourg society with photographs.

World:
Newsletter of the World Federation of Right to Die Societies
April 2004 issue of the newsletter of the World Federation of Right to Die Societies (no 45).

USA:
Drawing the Euthanasia Movement Together
Book review by Malcolm Hurwitt
"The Good Euthanasia Guide 2004: Where, What, and Who in Choices in Dying", by Derek Humphry.

United Kingdom:
Arrested for Showing Compassion
Michael Irwin, MD, on his arrest for conspiring to assist the suicide of Patrick Kneen.

USA:
The many ways to hasten death
The sixth meeting of NuTech was held in Seattle in January to continue the quest to develop new technologies for self-deliverance. It was attended by 20 people from six countries including several member organizations of the World Federation.

World:
Court cases draw attention to cause
President’s Report By Michael Irwin: finance, new activities and ageing populations.

World:
Living Wills to be assessed
The 15th international conference of the World Federation of Right to Die Societies, scheduled to take place September 30 through October 3 in Tokyo, has two major roles. One is to exchange views on encountering incidents with members of WFRtDS for a better movement in the world. The other is to analyze a large variety of living wills and to potentially construct living wills aiming the basic uniform rights of the terminally ill act among member societies in the world.

Netherlands:
Internationally renowned supporter of self-determination, Huib Drion, dead.
In Memoriam Huib Drion (1917 – 2004).

United Kingdom:
House of Lords establishes a Select Committee

United Kingdom:
Isle of Man police take "No further action"
The Isle of Man police take "No further action" in the case against Patricia Kneen and Dr. Michael Irwin (former Chairman of VES England & Wales), concerning the death of Patrick Kneen.

Canada:
Evelyn Martens case proceeds to trial
Evelyn Martens of the Right-to-Die Network of Canada was arrested and charged with aiding an counselling the suicides of two terminally ill individuals. The trial is expected to begin in September 2004.

Europe:
Council of Europe debate postponed
The debate by the Council of Europe on the Marty report has been postponed til april 2004.

Scotland:
New website for FATE, Scotland

United Kingdom:
New Bill presented to the British House of Lords
January 15th 2004, a new Assisted Dying Bill was introduced to the British House of Lords by Lord Joffe, a retired human rights lawyer, and a member of the Voluntary Euthanasia Society of England and Wales.

World:
Seguin Award to be made for the first time in Tokyo.

Netherlands:
Uncertainty about Dutch euthanasia law’s future

New Zealand:
Trial Set For Euthanasia Campaigner

France:
French Doctor may be charged in Humbert case

United Kingdom:
Widow of euthanasia campaigner arrested

Switzerland:
DIGINITAS digging out from 'avalanche'

World:
World Federation grows, some law successes
President's Report by Michael Irwin, MD, President of the World Federation of Right To Die Societies.

Europe:
Europe is center of progress
Report from the 2003 meeting of the RTD-E by Ron Plummer, President of the Europe Division.

World:
Growing international choices in dying
World Federation Annual Global Report (2003): The annual global report of the president of the World Federation of Right to Die Societies. The report is about the developments worldwide in the field of the right to die in 2003.

United Kingdom:
British Nurses back Euthanasia Law
A third of nurses believe they should be lawfully allowed to help patients to commit suicide, a survey has found.

Israel:
The 21st International Conference on Death and Bereavement
First announcement of the 21st International Conference on Death and Bereavement, to be held March 23-25, 2004 in Eilat, Israel.

Europe:
Declaration of the Luxemburg meeting of the RtD-E (October 24-25, 2003)
The biennal meeting of the European Right to Die societies has been concluded by issueing a declaration.

USA:
Governor Jeb Bush intervenes in "right to die" case
A right to die case in Florida that has passed through the hands of 19 separate judges drew the state's governor, Jeb Bush, into its ambit last week, when he met the family of the woman at its centre and filed a brief with the court.

World:
New website World Federation opened by Michael Irwin
At the convention of the European division of Right to Die Societies in Luxemburg, Michael Irwin officially opened the new website of the World Federation of Right to Die Societies.

France:
Christine Malèvre appeals her sentence
On 2nd October, Christine Malèvre began her controversial appeal against her sentence for the murder of six terminally ill cancer patients.

Switzerland:
748 cases of suicide assisted by Swiss right-to-die organisation
This study provides a retrospective analysis of all assisted suicide case files kept by Exist Deutsche Schweiz between 1990 and 2000.

Netherlands:
Dutch Ministers state that “terminal sedation” is different from euthanasia

Belgium:
One year of enforcement of the law
One year of enforcement of the law, by Jacqueline Herremans

Europe:
Convention on the Future of Europe

France:
Parliamentary Commission set up as Doctor claims responsibility for Vincent Humbert’s death

United Kingdom:
The Quality of Mercy
On 9th September VES UK published ‘The Quality of Mercy’, a comprehensive review of existing research on assisted dying and physical illness in the UK. ‘The Quality of Mercy’ demonstrates that the UK law has forced assisted dying underground, with the result that vulnerable people are not protected.

Europe:
The Report on Euthanasia

Europe:
Draft report on the situation as regards fundamental rights in the European Union (2002)

Australia:
Loving man helped wife die, court told
April 23 2003, Alexander Gamble Maxwell, 55, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting his wife's suicide.

New Zealand:
Euthanasia campaigner cheerful but defiant
Foremost in Lesley Martin's mind when I talked to her before her postponed voluntary euthanasia charge hearing in Wanganui District Court on Wednesday was her honeymoon. She married last night, wears her scintillating ring proudly and told me she hoped the court proceedings would not upset her plans.

Oregon, USA:
To live or to die
Should terminal patients have the right to end their lives painlessly? An Oregon lawsuit has implications for us all.

New Zealand:
Gagging order holds justice up to ridicule
Editorial: Gagging order holds justice up to ridicule - Freedom of speech is not a right to trifle with.

New Zealand:
The Case of New Zealand Euthanasia Activist Leslie Martin
List of articles

New Zealand:
Advocate dedicates her life to a dignified death
Lesley Martin will be married in the school hall at Wanganui Girls College a week today. Three days before the nuptials, Ms Martin, who has been charged with attempting to kill her ill mother, Joy, will appear in the Wanganui District Court for a hearing.

United Kingdom:
"What is a good death?" (British Medical Journal)

Netherlands:
Effects of euthanasia on the bereaved family and friends: a cross sectional study
This study was published in Volume 327, Number 7408 of the British Medical Journal (26 July 2003) which explored the question, “What is a good death?”

Netherlands:
Twenty five years of requests for euthanasia and physician assisted suicide in Dutch general practice: trend analysis
This study was published in Volume 327, Number 7408 of the British Medical Journal (26 July 2003) which explored the question, “What is a good death?”

United Kingdom:
“Death Tourism”

Switzerland:
Private Members Bills to prevent Swiss “Suicide Tourism”

Switzerland:
Swiss Senate decides to put forward proposal for new euthanasia law

Europe:
Convention on the Future of Europe

United Kingdom:
Ten Minute Rule Motion for an Older People’s Rights Commissioner

Europe:
End-of-life decision-making in six European countries: descriptive study
On the 17th June 2003, The Lancet published a report entitled ‘End-of-life decision-making in six European countries: descriptive study’, which examines the frequency and characteristics of end-of-life decision-making practices in Belgium (Flanders), Denmark, Italy (four areas), the Netherlands, Sweden and the German-speaking part of Switzerland.

Netherlands:
NVVE psyschologist in Court
On 10th June 2003 NVVE’s psychologist, Martine Cornelisse, was found not guilty of assisting a suicide by the Den Bosch court.

United Kingdom:
Second Reading of Patient (Assisted Dying) Bill

United Kingdom:
Second reading of UK Patient (Assisted Dying) Bill (6th June 2003)
Future notice: On 6th June a Patient (Assisted Dying) Bill will proceed to its second reading in the House of Lords.

Netherlands:
Third ‘Remmelink’ Report
On the 23rd May 2003, Professors Van der Wal and Van der Maas presented their long awaited third report on euthanasia in the Netherlands (also known as the Remmelink report).

United Kingdom:
The Joint Committee of Human Rights’ response to the Patient (Assisted Dying) Bill

United Kingdom:
Isle of Man votes in favour of assisted dying bill (13th May 2003)
On the 13th May the Isle of Man's House of Keys (parliament) voted in favour of introducing a Bill to allow terminally ill adults the right to choose medical help to die.

Oregon, USA:
Oregon Death with Dignity
On Wednesday, May 7, 2003, oral arguments in Oregon v. Ashcroft begin before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Netherlands:
Netherlands: Euthanasia reports decline by 15 percent over 4 years
The number of reported incidents of euthanasia has dropped by 15 percent during the past four years, but it is suspected the actual "mercy killing" figure is double the amount of recorded cases.

United Kingdom:
Suicide reform plea to stop Britons going abroad to die

Netherlands:
First conviction of a non-doctor

USA:
A Hemlock by any other name...

Netherlands:
Dutch top court waffles in Sutorious case

China:
Some Chinese seek euthanasia laws

World:
The Marilyn Seguin Memorial award

Europe:
Europe group getting needed upgrade

Australia:
A plea for the hopelessly ill

Luxembourg:
Luxembourg reform lost by one vote

World:
Now 38 societies in 23 countries
President's report by Michael Irwin MD.

Netherlands:
Dutch ‘Drion Pill’ becomes ‘Lastwillpill’

Japan:
World conference of WFRtDS in Tokyo

USA:
Right-to-die activism and government crackdowns
At the same time that right to die organizations worldwide are working to secure laws for assisted dying, numerous individuals still use "extralegal" means to end their lives.

USA:
89-year-old man will be charged with murdering wife
An 89-year-old man will be charged with murder after telling police he smothered his 85-year-old wife in her nursing home bed last week to end her pain, authorities said Monday.

New Zealand:
Euthanasia doctor poised to support woman on attempted murder charge
Exit Australia head Dr Philip Nitschke is supporting euthanasia advocate Lesley Martin at her next court appearance on an attempted murder charge.

New Zealand:
Euthanasia gag order lifted
Lesley Martin can resume her campaign to legalise euthanasia after a gagging order was lifted in the Wanganui District Court yesterday.

Canada:
Court case rekindles right-to-die debate
Elderly Victoria woman faces assisted suicide charges in controversial case.

New Zealand:
Campaigner fights muzzle
Voluntary euthanasia campaigner Lesley Martin, who has been charged with the attempted murder of her mother, will fight in court next week against a muzzling order.

New Zealand:
Euthanasia case gagging order 'may breach Bill of Rights'
Legal experts and civil libertarians have condemned the gagging order on pro-euthanasia campaigner Lesley Martin as a possible breach of the Bill of Rights.

New Zealand:
Euthanasia woman's arrest a shock - campaigner
If the Death with Dignity Bill before Parliament makes voluntary euthanasia legal, Wanganui woman Lesley Martin should take most of the credit, Philip Nitschke says.

USA:
When Death Needs a Plan
The case of 92-year-old Margaret Russell illustrates just how complicated end-of-life decisions can be.

New Zealand:
PM for mercy killings
Prime Minister Helen Clark has come out in support of voluntary euthanasia as mercy killing comes back on to the political agenda.

New Zealand:
Arrest disgusts Nelson widower
ARRESTED: Euthanasia campaigner Lesley Martin was charged yesterday (06 March 2003) after the death of her mother, Joy, in 1999.

New Zealand:
Right-to-die arrest: Daughter charged
Battlelines are being drawn over the right to die after a Wanganui woman was charged with attempted murder on the day legislation forcing a conscience vote on euthanasia was introduced to Parliament.

Australia:
Proud to watch as Nancy Crick died
A DECISION on whether charges will be laid against the 21 people who witnessed Gold Coast grandmother Nancy Crick commit suicide last year could be known within a month, Queensland's Director of Public Prosecutions, Leanne Clare, said yesterday.

USA:
Judge Denies Request To Feed Patient, 92
A judge Monday refused to set aside a guardian's instructions for the care of 92-year-old Margaret Russell, a nursing home resident who has not been given any food or nutrients for five weeks.

Australia:
Death Bill a possibility
LEGISLATION allowing voluntary euthanasia for the terminally ill may be debated this year in State Parliament.

United Kingdom:
Bid to legalise assisted suicide
Lord Joel Joffe - a retired human rights lawyer who defended Nelson Mandela - wants the right to assisted suicide enshrined on the statute book.

Luxembourg:
Narrow defeat for Luxembourg bill (15th January 2003)
On 15 January a resolution that would radically change Luxembourg law on euthanasia was narrowly defeated in the Luxembourg parliament.

Luxembourg:
Luxembourg Socialists and Greens call for euthanasia legislation
On 15 January in Luxembourg, Socialist (LSAP) and Greens representatives presented a joint draft bill that would radically change Luxembourg law on euthanasia.

California, USA:
INJURED MAN IN LIFE SUPPORT CASE DIES
A severely disabled man who is the subject of a closely watched right-to-die case before the California Supreme Court died of pneumonia Tuesday, family lawyers and a hospital official said. Robert Wendland, 49, who suffered brain damage in a car accident in 1993, died at 2:40 p.m. at Lodi Memorial Hospital, according to a hospital official.

USA:
Exploring the Angst of the Terminally Ill
Patients considering euthanasia are worried less about unbearable pain than about the social and emotional disintegration that accompanies terminal illness, a new survey has found.

Australia:
Euthanasia Conference Gives Overwhelming Support to Development of Suicide Pill
The Voluntary Euthanasia Research Foundation conference in Broken Hill, Australia, yesterday gave overwhelming support to the development in Australia of a suicide pill able to provide the terminally ill with the means to their own dignified death.

California, USA:
6-0 COURT TIGHTENS RIGHT-TO-DIE STANDARD: Patient has to leave clear direction on ending care
A unanimous state Supreme Court made it difficult today for Wendland family members to withdraw life-sustaining medical treatment for a patient who is brain-damaged but still conscious.

USA:
Caregiver faces trial in assisted suicide case
A Green Bay woman who told police she helped a terminally ill man kill himself waived her right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday and was ordered to stand trial for assisting a suicide.

Australia:
EUTHANASIA GROUPS COOL ON SUICIDE PILL
Plans by euthanasia advocate Philip Nitschke to develop a suicide pill appear likely to be dismissed by other interest groups this weekend as the Democrats and the Greens renew plans for private members' bills to reinstate the Northern Territory's right-to-die legislation.

Netherlands:
UN RIGHTS COMMISSION CONCERNED ABOUT DUTCH EUTHANASIA LAW
The UN Human Rights Committee expressed fears Friday that new Dutch legislation allowing euthanasia might lead to general insensitivity over so-called mercy killings.

California, USA:
The Law: Terminating Life Sustaining Treatment - Selected Articles on the Robert Wendland Case
The state Supreme Court at a hearing in San Francisco, May 30, 2000 took up the question of how decisions should be made on whether to withdraw life support from someone with severe brain damage.

The court's seven justices considered the case of Robert Wendland of Stockton, California, who became severely cognitively impaired after a 1993 accident in his pick-up truck.

California, USA:
California Supreme Court Grapples with Pulling Plug on Accident Victim
The California Supreme Court has begun hearing the case of a woman who wants permission to pull her husband off life support because she says that is what he would have wanted after an auto accident left him in a near-vegetative state.

California, USA:
Out of a Coma, Into a Twilight
Accident victim Robert Wendland is "minimally conscious." His wife wants to let him die. His mother wants to keep him alive. Now he's a test case before the state Supreme Court.

California, USA:
Appellate Court Says Wife Has Right to Disconnect Husband's Life Support
An appellate court ruled Thursday that the wife of a Stockton man who suffered severe brain damage -- and has been paralyzed and unable to communicate since a 1993 traffic accident -- has the right to disconnect his life support over the objections of his mother.

USA:
Doctor found reckless for not relieving pain
In a trial that became a forum for the debate over how pain is treated in American medicine, an Alameda County jury yesterday found that an internist committed elder abuse and reckless negligence by not giving enough pain medication to a Hayward man dying of cancer.

USA:
Lawsuit Alleges Elder Abuse for Inadequate Pain Control
A California lawsuit may give you additional reason to make sure that your patients are adequately treated for pain.

USA:
Undertreating Pain Can Amount to Elder Abuse
In the first case to assert that failure to treat pain adequately is a form of elder abuse, an Alameda County, Calif., court ruling allows the case to proceed to trial.

USA:
Undermedicating Called Elder Abuse: Jury Awards $1.5 Million Over Cancer Pain
A jury has awarded $1.5 million to the family of a man who accused his doctor of not prescribing enough pain medication during a battle with lung cancer.

Oregon, USA:
Oregon Lawmakers Seek to Save State's Death with Dignity Act
Oregon members of Congress launched a pre-emptive strike Wednesday against efforts to undo the state's unique assisted suicide law, introducing legislation to encourage aggressive treatment of pain without interfering with the Oregon Death With Dignity Act.

California, USA:
New twist in cases over right to die
Eight years after a horrific car accident, Robert Wendland spends his days in a Lodi hospital, unable to speak or walk, a shadow of his former self.

California, USA:
California high court to ponder rights on medical decisions
California Supreme Court justices unanimously decided last month to review a long-standing case that weighs incompetent patients' right to refuse medical treatment with their constitutional right to life. The conservatorship of Robert Wendland, who was in a coma for 16 months after a car crash and then regained limited consciousness, has been before the courts since 1995.

USA:
ENDING LIFE SUPPORT: WHO DECIDES?
Court cases under way in Florida and California could help clarify who can end the life of people in comas or vegetative states. The cases of Terri Schiavo and Robert Wendland demonstrate the difficulty of the decision to pull the plug, especially when family members disagree.

USA:
PHYSICIANS: LEAVE ASSISTED SUICIDE TO DOCTORS, PATIENTS
While AMA delegates and rank-and-file physicians differ on whether assisted suicide should be legal, a sizable group would like government to stay out of it.

Israel:
Passive euthanasia bill moves forward
The right of terminally ill people to request passive euthanasia took a further step toward legalization yesterday, when the Knesset Law Committee approved a revised version of legislation on the matter for a first reading.

Australia:
South Australian Dying with Dignity Bill to be Tabled
ANOTHER attempt to make voluntary euthanasia legal in SA will be put to both Houses of Parliament this week.

USA:
Supreme Court rules against marijuana use for patients
The Supreme Court handed medical marijuana users a major defeat today, ruling that a federal law classifying the drug as illegal has no exception for ill patients.

Netherlands:
DUTCH COURT DEMANDS MORE TESTIMONY IN LANDMARK EUTHANASIA CASE
A Dutch appeals court said Tuesday it would hear further expert evidence before ruling on the case of a doctor who helped a healthy 86-year-old commit suicide because he was "tired of living".

USA:
Poll: Many doctors back assisted suicide
Rank-and-file doctors favor physician-assisted suicide by nearly twice the rate of the elected leadership of the nation's premier medical organization, according to a survey by a Baylor College of Medicine professor.

United Kingdom:
Recent advances: Palliative care
J Andrew Billings: In this article I introduce current concepts about palliative care and review advances in this subject over the past five years, highlighting developments of particular interest to generalists.

Sweden:
MAJORITY OF SWEDES WANT EUTHANASIA TO BE AVAILABLE
A majority of Swedes think that those who want euthanasia should be allowed to have it, according to a recent poll.

USA:
ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF PAIN IN PALLIATIVE CARE PATIENTS
Pain affects more than 70% of cancer patients but is often undertreated. The authors review and present methodologies to maximize proper palliative approaches to this symptom for the majority of patients.

Netherlands:
Dutch Parliament Approves Euthanasia Bill
In what was both feared and celebrated as a morally groundbreaking decision, the Dutch Senate on Tuesday enshrined in law a terminally ill patient's right to suicide and a doctor's immunity from prosecution for assisting.

France:
Health Minister to Push for Euthanasia Law
France's straight-talking health minister plans to press for the legalization of euthanasia after favorable opinion polls in France and a vote last week made the Netherlands the first country to openly endorse mercy killing.

Australia:
DIGNITY IN DYING BILL
The Hon. SANDRA KANCK obtained leave and introduced a bill for an act to provide for the administration of medical procedures to assist the death of patients who are hopelessly ill and who have experienced a desire for the procedure subject to appropriate safeguards.

Netherlands:
Dutch Hope Euthanasia Law Will Prompt Debate
Policymakers and pro-euthanasia groups in the Netherlands voiced the hope that Tuesday's landmark decision to legalize mercy-killing will encourage discussion on the controversial issue elsewhere.

USA:
Responding to Intractable Terminal Suffering: The Role of Terminal Sedation and Voluntary Refusal of Food and Fluids
This paper presents terminal sedation and voluntary refusal of hydration and nutrition as potential last resorts.

Australia:
THE HARD WAY OUT
In debates about euthanasia, the drugs are never quick.

United Kingdom:
Medical Opinion of Voluntary Euthanasia
There is increasing medical interest and support in the United Kingdom for legalising voluntary euthanasia.

Oregon, USA:
Advance Directives Found Key to Reducing Stress for Families of Hospitalized Patients at the End of Life
Researchers from the Oregon Health Sciences University report that stress levels have been measured as extremely high for family members who must decide whether or not life support should be withdrawn from relatives too incapacitated to decide for themselves.

USA:
COMATOSE SURGEON WOULD PREFER DEATH, PHYSICIAN TESTIFIES
Sweeny surgeon Joseph Ndiyob, comatose for about two months, would prefer to die than continue to be kept alive on life support, his attending physician testified Tuesday.

Israel:
'Death with dignity' bill gets broad panel approval
The Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee yesterday approved a bill enabling anyone over the age of 18 to sign a statement instructing physicians not to extend their lives by artificial means if they stand no chance of recovery.

Netherlands:
Murder case complicates Dutch euthanasia bill
The Netherlands' controversial bill to legalise mercy killing has claimed its first victim in the very profession it was designed to protect.

USA:
Advance directives provide comfort, not necessarily goal
Research says instructional directives may have psychological benefits, but a new study also found they don't improve the accuracy of surrogate decision-making.

Florida, USA:
Legal Fight Clouds Comatose Woman's Fate
Legal Fight in Florida Over Comatose Woman Pits Her Parents, Husband Against Each Other.

Florida, USA:
Timeline of the Terri Schiavo Case
The following is the timeline in the case of Terri Schiavo, who first collapsed and fell into a coma in 1990. The conflict between Terri Schiavo's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, began in 1993, and continues to this day. The court bhattle began in 1998, when Michael Schiavo petitioned the court to remove Terri Schiavo's feeding tube.

Florida, USA:
News Chronology of Case of Comatose Florida Woman
News Chronology of Case of Comatose Florida Woman Terri Schiavo.

Florida, USA:
Judge Says Schiavo's Feeding Tube Can Be Removed
The husband of a woman who's been in a coma-like state for 12 years can have her feeding tube removed and be allowed to die, a judge ruled Friday.

Florida, USA:
Judge orders Terri Schiavo's feeding tube removed
After a month of consideration, a judge has once again given his approval to remove the feeding tube from a comatose Pinellas County woman. The decision by Circuit Judge George Greer may clear the way for Terri Schiavo to die.

World:
The new board of the World Federation of Right to Die Societies

Switzerland:
How it's done in Switzerland

USA:
Brussels conference also a celebration

Belgium:
Euthanasia decriminalized under tight rules

California, USA:
ACLU-NC Supports Man's Right to End Life Support
On October 10, the ACLU-NC filed an amicus brief in the California Supreme Court supporting Robert Wendland, a man on life-support, who had previously asserted his desire not to be sustained artificially by medical technology.

Florida, USA:
FLA. JUDGE: WITHDRAW LIFE SUPPORT
A judge has again ordered that a comatose woman's feedings be stopped, siding against her parents and in favor of the husband who believes she should be allowed to die.

United Kingdom:
Woman takes death plea to European Court
Diane Pretty, a terminally-ill woman, today asked European human rights judges to grant her the right to die with the aid of her husband.

United Kingdom:
Right to die case taken to European court
A terminally-ill woman took her fight for the right to "die with dignity" to the European court of human rights today.

United Kingdom:
Right-to-die case fast-tracked: Diane Pretty wants the right to die
The European Court of Human Rights is to fast-track the case of terminally ill woman Diane Pretty, who is seeking legal permission to be allowed to end her life. The Strasbourg court announced on Wednesday that the case was to be given priority. It could now be heard within months.

Oregon, USA:
Harris Poll -- January 2002
Harris Interactive Survey Finds 2-to-1 Majorities Continue to Support Rights to Both Euthanasia and Doctor-Assisted Suicide. Clear majority (when asked) also believes that Attorney General Ashcroft is wrong to oppose Oregon proposition allowing physician- assisted suicide.

Oregon, USA:
Oregon's physician-assisted suicide law gets another temporary reprieve
A move by the Bush administration to dismantle Oregon's physician-assisted suicide law was dealt a setback Tuesday when a federal judge extended a temporary restraining order for up to five months.

Oregon, USA:
Ashcroft's odd targets
We have terrorists on the loose, anthrax wafting through the mail, and the Justice Department is in hot pursuit of ... terminally ill patients?

Oregon, USA:
Bush policy on suicide is shielded in secrecy
Nathan Diament spent two years lobbying Congress to shut down Oregon's assisted-suicide law. But when Bush administration officials called Tuesday to say they had done the job by administrative action, he was not only pleased but also surprised.

Oregon, USA:
Ashcroft's Meddling
US Attorney General John Ashcroft has no business trying to overturn the voters' will by sending federal drug agents after Oregon doctors who prescribe drugs to assist suicides.

USA:
Separating Death From Agony
Not long ago, a cancer specialist I know faced a situation that chilled those of us who care for people with terminal illness.

Oregon, USA:
Federal Judge Stops Effort to Overturn Suicide Law
Siding with the State of Oregon, the only state to legalize assisted suicide, a federal judge issued an order here today that would temporarily block Attorney General John Ashcroft's move earlier this week to overturn the law.

Oregon, USA:
Oregon Assisted - Suicide Law Intact
Oregon doctors can prescribe lethal medicines again to terminally ill patients who want to end their lives now that a judge has temporarily blocked a federal order that had essentially shut down the state's unique assisted-suicide law.

Oregon, USA:
Bush presidency begins decline
President Bush's approval rating has peaked somewhere around 88% and will now begin a decline toward his Failure to Get Re-elected Day in November of 2004. With his decision to unleash Attorney General Ashcroft on the Oregon Death With Dignity Law, he has gutted not only that law, but his presidency. He just doesn't know it yet.

Oregon, USA:
Federal judge temporarily blocks Ashcroft directive on assisted suicide
A federal judge on Thursday temporarily blocked a new federal directive intended to thwart Oregon's assisted suicide law.

Oregon, USA:
4 Oregon Patients Seeking Suicide Sue U.S.
Four patients joined in a legal motion brought today in Federal District Court here by Attorney General Hardy Myers of Oregon to impose a stay on the federal directive. A ruling on the state's request is not expected until Thursday at the earliest.

Oregon, USA:
Oregon files lawsuit against U.S. government over assisted suicide
The state of Oregon sued the U.S. government on Wednesday over a federal directive that essentially blocks the state's assisted-suicide law.

Oregon, USA:
Ashcroft Ruling Blocks Ore. Assisted-Suicide Law
Attorney General John D. Ashcroft effectively blocked Oregon's landmark assisted-suicide law yesterday, authorizing federal drug agents to identify and punish doctors who prescribe federally controlled drugs to help terminally ill patients die.

Oregon, USA:
Ashcroft memorandum
Text of Ashcroft memorandum prohibiting use of federally controlled substances for assisted suicide.

Oregon, USA:
Federal Doctor-Assisted Suicide Policy Reversed
Reversing the policy of his predecessor who supported the nation's first assisted suicide law, Attorney General John Ashcroft said on Tuesday that doctors may not prescribe lethal doses of federally controlled substances to terminally ill patients.

Oregon, USA:
Wyden to Bush: Keep hands off Oregon law on assisted suicide
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., called on President Bush on Tuesday to quash any administration efforts to block Oregon's doctor- assisted suicide law by rewriting federal drug enforcement policy.