Legal Counsel Advises Assisted Suicide Workshop Could Contravene Criminal Code
For Immediate Release, September 21, 2009
(Vancouver, British Columbia) – Based on legal counsel and input from the Vancouver Police Department, Vancouver Public Library has reviewed and declined a request by Exit International, an assisted suicide organization based in Australia, to hold a workshop at the Central Library.
Following a public meeting where the history and philosophy of assisted suicide would have been discussed, Exit International proposed holding a session for people over 50 years old and seriously ill where suicide strategies would be presented.
City Librarian Paul Whitney sought legal and police counsel on the legality of the program content for a workshop proposed for September 10. The responses were clear in stating that the program, as described by the presenters, could well be in contravention of Section 241 of the Criminal Code which states that it is an indictable offence to counsel or aid or abet any person to commit suicide.
The BC Civil Liberties Association has indicated that it does not agree with this decision and has asked the Library to reverse its decision.
“This was a difficult decision as the Library holds freedom of speech and access to information as core values,” says Mr. Whitney. “The Library is not, however, prepared to be party to a probable criminal offense which could result in a loss of life.”
The City Librarian consulted with the Library Board’s Executive Committee in arriving at his decision.
Information on the Exit International website, http://www.exitinternational.net, includes this description of the proposed program (reproduced as a posted on July 24:
(Vancouver, British Columbia) – Based on legal counsel and input from the Vancouver Police Department, Vancouver Public Library has reviewed and declined a request by Exit International, an assisted suicide organization based in Australia, to hold a workshop at the Central Library.
Following a public meeting where the history and philosophy of assisted suicide would have been discussed, Exit International proposed holding a session for people over 50 years old and seriously ill where suicide strategies would be presented.
City Librarian Paul Whitney sought legal and police counsel on the legality of the program content for a workshop proposed for September 10. The responses were clear in stating that the program, as described by the presenters, could well be in contravention of Section 241 of the Criminal Code which states that it is an indictable offence to counsel or aid or abet any person to commit suicide.
The BC Civil Liberties Association has indicated that it does not agree with this decision and has asked the Library to reverse its decision.
“This was a difficult decision as the Library holds freedom of speech and access to information as core values,” says Mr. Whitney. “The Library is not, however, prepared to be party to a probable criminal offense which could result in a loss of life.”
The City Librarian consulted with the Library Board’s Executive Committee in arriving at his decision.
Information on the Exit International website, http://www.exitinternational.net, includes this description of the proposed program (reproduced as a posted on July 24:
Following its successful inaugural tour of the UK & Scotland in May 2009, Exit will bring its unique workshop program to Nth America this September. Workshops cover a range of end of life strategies including the premier assisted suicide drug, Nembutal, prescription drugs, the use of Inert gases & the Exit Bag, & the Swiss option.
Exit workshops are preceded by an open public meeting where the history & philosophy of the emerging end of life choices movement are discussed. Workshops are restricted to the over 50s & seriously ill.
Vancouver Public Library respects the ongoing advocacy by the BC Civil Liberties Association for free speech and has received the Association’s support in the past on freedom of speech challenges. The Library regrets this disagreement with BCCLA on this issue.
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