It is time to open the dialogue, exchange views and take steps forward on the issue of euthanasia, said on Tuesday the Chairwoman of the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee, Irini Charalambidou, who noted that the issue will be registered and discussed immediately. to the relevant Parliamentary Committee.
In her statements, after the meeting she had with the President and members of the Pancyprian Bar Association, Ms. Charalambidou said that the issue of euthanasia is an issue that provokes strong reactions, however, she noted "it is also an issue of rights, it is an issue man has the choice to be able to end his life, as he judges, and we can not deprive him of that ".
Moreover, at the meeting held earlier on Tuesday, concrete actions were agreed, which according to the President of the Pancyprian Bar Association, Christos Clerides, "may be taken soon, in order to defend the protection of human rights in a the place".
As Mr. Clerides said, the Association has addressed an invitation to the President and the members of the Human Rights Committee of the Parliament at its anniversary conference, on December 10, on the subject of euthanasia and environmental protection.
Furthermore, he noted that they will map the problems of Human Rights in Cyprus in the next quarter and therefore they want the synergy of the Human Rights Committee of the Parliament.
"With the beginning of the new year 2022, our goal is to start the implementation of our goal, which, as I said, is to strengthen the rule of law through the protection of Human Rights, with proposals for a law and where we need to stimulate the Government to submit bills. on these issues ", he added.
Ms. Charalambidou, in turn, said that "we live in an age where there is a circumvention of human rights", to add that the role of the Human Rights Committee is essential in defending human rights.
He added that "logic dictates that a dialogue be opened with all entities, such as non-governmental organizations, Associations, Associations and especially with entities such as the Pancyprian Bar Association, which aim to defend a rule of law, in order to lay the foundations for human rights issues." to be strong and substantial ".
He also said that he has already accepted an invitation from the PDS to participate in the anniversary conference, which they are organizing on December 10, on human rights, adding that "the issues that the conference will address, namely euthanasia, are vital."
"Dialogue must be opened, in order to exchange views and to take steps to develop developments on such crucial issues, which concern human well-being. To say that, yes, the contribution of the Pancyprian Bar Association through suggestions, through its presence in the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights will be decisive and essential, in order to have a more complete work in the future ".
Asked if there is a line to be followed on the issue of euthanasia, the chairwoman of the Human Rights Committee said that the issue of euthanasia is an issue that provokes strong reactions, however, she noted "it is also a matter of rights".
"It is a matter of man having the choice to be able to end his life as he sees fit. And we can not deprive him of that. "Personally, I am very sensitive to this issue, because I experienced tragic moments in my family and I would like my loved ones to have this right," he said.
She also said that the specific issue will be registered in the Parliament by herself and the MP of Ecologists - Citizens' Cooperation, Alexandra Attalidou, who participated in today's meeting.
For her part, Ms. Attalidou welcomed the fact that the Pancyprian Bar Association has put on its agenda issues related to the environment and human rights, noting that "what environment we live in is now a matter of human rights."
"The fact that the PDS informed us that it will address the issue of environment and human rights for me is a huge step forward and I welcome it," he said.
