Euthanasia - The Choice between the Right to Life and Human Dignity

Abstract

Euthanasia is a modern concept in Albanian society, characterized by complexity and legal vacuum. Our legislation protects the life right and is in full compliance with second Article of the European Convention of Human Rights, but does not provide and is not sanctioned in any section, the right of death. Discussions arising in this context, are related to whether euthanasia should be defined as a criminal or as non-crime action, that brings the respect of human dignity and therefore the protection and promotion of a basic constitutional principle. Theoretical discussions have not been lacking in treating this important issue, which has an impact not only in legal field, but also in the social, medical and religious. Through this paper, i intend to present an overview of the Albanian and European legislation of euthanasia. The question in many legal systems, is if life right should prevail , in conditions where a person has no more dignity, or must be granted the right to voluntary choose death, as a worthy act.

DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2014.v3n6p279