Labour Youth President Urges Voluntary Euthanasia Discussion ‘Guided By Science’
Labour’s youth wing president Georvin Bugeja has called for a discussion on whether Malta should legalise voluntary euthanasia and said this debate should be “guided by science”.
Delivering a speech at Żgħażagħ Laburisti’s AGM this week, Bugeja said that time of political rhetoric is over and the time has now come to take action on important topics, no matter how uncomfortable they may be”.
“The Labour Party was set up to create a fair and equal society, and although we’ve made advances in this regard, including whether LGBTIQ+ rights are concerned, the prevalent mentality doesn’t necessarily reflect what is written in the law,” he said.
Bugeja said that society cannot keep avoiding “discussions related to sexual health, menstruation, mental health and topics related to bodily autonomy”.
Questioned by Lovin Malta, Bugeja specifically referred to the potential legalisation of voluntary euthanasia.
The PL's manifesto promises a national discussion on euthanasia
“I believe that it is high time to start discussing sensitive subjects which for long have been put aside,” he said. “These include for instance euthanasia, which is also referred to in the electoral manifesto. I augur that such sensitive subjects are not polarised with partisan politics or sentimentalism. Science should guide the discussions in matters like these.”
The PL’s manifesto promises a “mature national discussion” on the legalisation of voluntary euthanasia for people with terminal illnesses.
“We promise to guarantee the best possible treatment to everyone until the very end of their lives,” the manifesto reads. “Despite this unwavering commitment, we are aware of the harsh realities and suffering that patients with terminal illnesses go through.”
“While we will continue investing to grant patients and their relatives the best possible palliative care and support, we believe the time has come for a mature national discussion on the introduction of voluntary euthanasia for people with terminal illnesses.”
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