The Life Network Foundation today concluded its campaign related to the government's eight-week consultation on voluntary assisted euthanasia, which came to an end today.

As part of Oqtol l-Ugigħ, Mhux Lili, the foundation delivered 11,571 physical submissions to the Prime Minister's Office. These submissions were originally sent electronically to the Government Consultation website via www.oqtollugigh.org over the last two weeks.  While these submissions have already been delivered via the Government consultation website, the campaign aims to ensure that no opinions or voices are forgotten in this consultation, the activists said.

Tonio Fenech as Chairman of the Foundation, emphasised that these submissions support the growing chorus of voices across Malta and Gozo calling on the government to prioritise compassionate, life-affirming palliative care over the legalisation of assisted suicide.   A recent survey carried out by Misco International showed that 70% of the Maltese population favours greater investment in palliative care services rather than the introduction of euthanasia.

Over just over two weeks ago, the Life Network Foundation launched its campaign Oqtol l-Ugigħ, Mhux Lili mainly through social media channels presenting life experiences of persons who passed through situations of near death experiences, terminal illnesses, and professionals in Palliative Care who challenged the bias narrative being presented by Government. 

These submissions join the ever-growing movement of Associations in the medical sphere, NGOs, Organisations, Groups and other associations who have unequivocally urged Government to invest  in Palliative Care as the only real dignified solution rather then Assisted Suicide.

Over the consultation period 42 organisations have expressed their clear position against the current proposed introduction of voluntary assisted euthanasia.

In the medical sphere, those working most closely with patients with terminal illnesses and disability, have come out strongly against the proposals: Hospice Malta, St. Michael Hospice, Palliative Care Association of Malta, MFOPD Malta Federation of Organisations Persons with Disability, Dar tal-Providenza, Department of Disability Studies at The University of Malta;

The Medical Association of Malta (MAM), Malta Association of Public Health Medicine (MAPHM), Maltese Association of Psychiatry (MAP) and Kamra ta' L-Ispizjara ta' Malta,have taken a clear position in support of enhancing palliative care across its full spectrum - and against the current proposals of the Government.MAM, comprising approximately 1,380 doctors, has called on the Government to prioritise palliative care as a national health emergency.

Organisations that work amongst the vulnerable like Caritas, Dar Hosea, Dar Merhba Bik, Fondazzjoni Sebħ, JRS, OASI Foundation, Segretarjat Assistenza Socjali (AKM), SOS Malta have also spoken out against the Government proposals.

Academic and educational intuitions such as 135 academics under the umbrella of the University of Malta Academic Group and the Church Schools Association (CSA), have also spoken out against the Government proposals.

A consistent position amongst religious groups of various faiths including the Catholic Church in Malta and Gozo, many Catholic movements, the Muslim Community in Malta, the Evangelical Alliance, and a Joint Declaration Catholics, Jews & Muslims religious leaders, have also spoken out against the Government proposals.

The Life Network Foundation emphasised that true compassion lies in supporting those facing terminal illness with comprehensive palliative care, rather than turning to euthanasia. The foundation believes that investing in palliative care services can provide the necessary relief from pain and suffering, offering terminal patients the dignity and comfort they deserve during their final moments. By focusing on life-affirming care, the campaign advocates for a society that values and upholds the sanctity of life and ensures that every individual receives the compassionate support they need.

Dr Miriam Sciberras presented the key messages of Oqtol l-Ugigħ, Mhux Lili:      

Malta Requires an urgent Investment in Palliative Care: Eliminating Pain is Possible

Advancements in palliative care and pain relief have been achieved through a commitment to comprehensive care rather than ending lives. Health systems should focus on providing holistic palliative care to patients and supporting their families, rather than presenting assisted death as a solution to suffering. Legalising assisted suicide could potentially divert funding and resources away from necessary palliative care services.  Effective palliative care eliminates the need for euthanasia or assisted suicide.

In proposals 512 and 513 of the 2022 Electoral Manifesto, the Labour Party, now in Government, committed to investing in high-quality pain relief and palliative care. Moreover, proposal 654 guaranteed the best possible end-of-life care. The Government has acknowledged in its own published strategy that this objective has not yet been fully realized.

Safeguards promised cannot be fulfilled No Law Can Fully Prevent Abuse, Especially Among Vulnerable Groups

Legalising assisted suicide presents significant risks, particularly for vulnerable populations such as the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and those with chronic illnesses. These individuals may experience undue pressure to choose euthanasia to reduce perceived burdens on their families or the healthcare system. The potential for subtle coercion or internalized pressure means that genuine consent might be compromised, transforming a perceived "right to die" into a "duty to die."

Additionally, in countries where euthanasia was initially restricted to extreme cases - such as Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland - legal boundaries have gradually expanded to include these groups.

Loss of Trust in the Medical Profession

The legalisation of euthanasia poses a fundamental challenge to the medical profession's core ethical principle: "do no harm." Authorising doctors to participate in or refer patients for the intentional end of life may blur the boundaries of their role as healers and undermine public trust. If patients begin to view physicians as instrumental in assisted suicide, the essential trust in healthcare will be significantly compromised.

The Government's Proposal is gravely flawed

Prognosis is not an exact science; predicting that someone has "no more than six months to live"  is inherently uncertain and overlooks mental and emotional factors. This approach isolates the patient and proposes suicide rather than euthanasia, as it requires patients to self-administer the lethal dose. Additionally, the requirement for medical practitioners to refer patients to other medics infringes on their rights to conscientious objection, among other issues.

In conclusion, it is imperative for Malta to enhance its commitment to palliative care, ensuring that all individuals receive compassionate, comprehensive, and ethical end-of-life care. By focusing on improving these services, we can uphold the dignity of our patients and strengthen the trust in our healthcare system. We urge the Government to prioritize the Palliative care plan and the Suicide prevention proposal and to reject measures that could undermine the quality of care provided to our most vulnerable citizens. Let us strive to create a healthcare environment where life is cherished and every patient receives the support they need to live their final days with peace and comfort.