THE RIGHT TO LIFE FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF PERSONAL AUTONOMY IN DECISION-MAKING ON EUTHANASIA (REVIEW OF THE ECHR PRACTICE AND THE LEGISLATION OF SELECTED COUNTRIES)

Abstract

The aim: To analyze law enforcement practice on the basis of the national legislation of foreign states to single out features of legal regulation of the right to euthanasia realization and to outline the Ukrainian prospects of euthanasia legalization. Materials and methods: The empirical basis of the research is the legislation of some European countries (Belgium, Spain, Italy, Portugal, and the Netherlands) and Canada; decisions of the European Court of Human Rights on the right to voluntary death and the obligations of states; the results of a survey of 750 respondents conducted by the authors. The methodological basis of the study were philosophical views on life, death, and the right to certainty, formal-logical method (analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, etc.), comparative, analytical, statistical, sociological methods of cognition, as well as a synergetic approach. Conclusions: The issue of legal regulation of euthanasia is multifactorial, socially conditioned, and requires a positive action of the state both in terms of regulation and/or prohibition, and the proper provision of citizens with health care. Legislative support for the human right to a “dignified death” is dictated, to some extent, by society’s demand, which must be finally resulted in the draft law. As for Ukraine, the adoption of such a law is obviously premature. Although according to a survey of citizens on euthanasia and the feasibility of introducing such a law in Ukraine, 57% are positive about the experience of other countries, and 41% were in favor of adopting a law in Ukraine, it is not possible to assess their opinion due to ignorance of legislation where euthanasia is allowed.