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A floating death clinic?
Dutch government sinks doctor’s plan
Australia’s most notable pro-euthanasia activist, Dr. Philip Nitschke, devised a plan to exploit the new Dutch law legalizing euthanasia by offering to bring a “peaceful” end to the lives of patients on a Dutch-registered ship anchored in international waters off the coast of Australia.
“If this was a Dutch-registered vessel, it would be possible legally to provide access to voluntary euthanasia in international waters,” he explained.
Nitschke announced his idea of a floating euthanasia clinic for Australia just days after Dutch abortionist Rebecca Gomperts announced she would offer abortions in her floating abortuary for people from countries where the procedure is banned.
However, the government of the Netherlands quickly announced that it would thwart the Nitschke initiative. Minister of Health Els Borst-Eilers made it clear that while euthanasia would be allowed within the country, foreigners who sought to exploit the new law would be condemned, and the government would take action to stop the exploitation. Responding during parliamentary debate to questions about Nitschke’s proposal, Borst-Eilers promised: “If the Netherlands were to be involved in any way—be it with a Dutch ship, or with Dutch doctors—I would, in cooperation with my Australian colleagues, prevent it.”