Suicide, assisted suicide and euthanasia: International perspectives

Suicide, assisted suicide and euthanasia are elusive and controversial issu es worldwide. To discuss such issues from only one perspective may be limit ing. Therefore, this paper was written by authors from various regions, eac h of whom has been asked to reflect on the issues. The countries/cultures a re: Australia, China, Cuba, Ireland, India, Japan, Russia, South Africa, Th e Netherlands, North America (Turtle Island) and United States. Historicall y and today, suicide is viewed differently. Assisted suicide and euthanasia are equally seen from multifarious perspectives. Highlighting development in the Netherlands, Australia's Northern Territory and Japan (ie. the famou s Yamanouchi Case), the review shows growing re-examination of the right to die. There appear, however, to be no uniform legal and ethical positions. Further debate and discussion globally is needed to avoid myopic perspectiv es.