Euthanasia Laws in World: Harish Rana of Ghaziabad, who was in coma for 13 years, was given passive euthanasia with the approval of the court for the first time in India. His last rites took place today. His case has sparked a new debate across the country on ‘Right to Die’. Euthanasia is completely illegal in many countries of the world. Know what are the rules in countries ranging from America to the Middle East…
Euthanasia Laws India vs World: Harish Rana of Ghaziabad is no more in this world. After being in coma for 13 years, he breathed his last at Delhi AIIMS yesterday on March 24. His last rites took place this morning at Green Park crematorium in Delhi. Harish became the first person in India to get the legal right to ‘passive euthanasia’ i.e. death with dignity (euthanasia). But do you know that in many countries of the world, there is a provision for strict punishment for the euthanasia which was considered right for Harish by the Supreme Court in India? Let us know what are the rules regarding this right to die in different countries of the world…
Pakistan: 14 years jail if you help
In India’s neighboring country Pakistan, the law regarding euthanasia is very strict. Euthanasia is not legal in any form here. If any doctor or family member helps or promotes it, he may have to face ‘dungeon’ i.e. jail sentence of up to 14 years.
Russia: Even doctors don’t get forgiveness
In Russia, whether active (killing by injection) or passive (killing by withholding treatment), both methods are completely illegal. The law here is so strict that if a doctor, out of pity, stops the treatment of a patient or gives him medicine to kill, then that doctor has to pay severe punishment and a heavy fine.
America: 50 different rules in 50 states
In America the matter is a bit complicated. ‘Active euthanasia’ is illegal across the country, but courts in 12 states, such as Washington DC, have approved ‘medical aid in dying’. This means that the doctor can give such medicine to a patient suffering from an incurable disease so that he can end his problem forever.
China: A big decision changed in 2022
In China, it was considered ‘murder’ for a long time, but after a special case in 2022, the rules were relaxed. Now ‘passive euthanasia’ has been allowed there with certain conditions, that is, if there is no hope of survival, life support can be removed.
Middle East: ‘God’s will’ is supreme
In countries like Iran, Türkiye, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon and Iraq, even the thought of euthanasia is considered a sin and a crime. It is completely banned here. However, in Israel, Saudi Arabia and UAE, ‘passive euthanasia’ can be considered based on court decisions or strict conditions, but ‘active’ death is considered murder here too.
What happened to Harish Rana in India?
‘Active euthanasia’ (injecting poison) is completely illegal in India and is considered ‘murder’ or ‘assisted suicide’, but ‘passive euthanasia’ was followed in Harish’s case. This simply means that if a patient is alive only with the help of a ventilator or feeding tube and there is zero percent chance of his recovery, then he should be freed from that ‘mechanical life’ so that he can die naturally.