"For people like me, who live with disability, there are times in our lives when we're not feeling all that great, and if it is for extended periods of time we would be able to convince a doctor that we should die."

People with disabilities already felt isolated and a euthanasia law would make them feel more marginalised, Joblin said.

Dr Rob Jonquiere who come from the Netherlands and is on a speaking tour of New Zealand says he was not aware of the law affecting disabled Dutch people in a negative way. Read more

Dr Rob Jonquiere has spoken at several gatherings in New Zealand over the past two weeks.

He was brought here by the Voluntary Euthanasia Society of New Zealand.

The Society is pushing for the Government to change the law to allow people with "unbearable suffering to end their lives with dignity, not in pain".

Jonquiere helped draft legislation that allowed Dutch people suffering a terminal illness to choose to die.

He says he is hopeful change would come to New Zealand, where euthanasia is still illegal.

Right to Life spokesman Ken Orr was "not happy at all" that Jonquiere was in New Zealand "promoting suicide".

"If the bill he is promoting is passed, it will destroy the trust our community has in the medical profession not to kill their patients."

The two men were to meet in Christchurch on Monday in private to debate the issue.

The Nathaniel Centre - Euthanasia in New Zealand

Source

• Stuff.co.nz
• The New Zealand Herald
• Image: Stuff.co.nz