Lecretia Seales' death came shortly after she received judge David Collins' ruling that changing laws on euthanasia was a role for parliament, not the courts.

New Zealand’s High Court said her death came shortly after she received judge David Collins’ ruling that changing the laws on euthanasia was a role for parliament, not the courts.
"Sadly, Ms Seales passed away within hours of receiving the judgment," the High Court said in a statement.
"The judge conveys to Ms Seales? husband, family and friends his deepest condolences."
Seales’ legal team had argued that her doctor should be able to help her die if her suffering became intolerable and refusing such assistance would breach her human rights.
Collins ruled that her doctor could be charged with murder for administering a fatal drug, or manslaughter for giving her a dose of drugs to self-administer that led to her death.
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"The complex legal, philosophical, moral and clinical issues raised by Ms Seales’ proceedings can only be addressed by parliament passing legislation to amend the effect of the Crimes Act."
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"For us, as a family, it is terribly disappointing that the judge was prepared to go as far as he did but not take this last step," they said in a statement.
"The judgment has starkly highlighted that the status quo is not ideal."
They said the case had generated huge public interest and called on parliament, which has stalled previous attempts to debate euthanasia, to comprehensively examine the issue.
"It is clear beyond doubt that people want to debate this issue regardless of their personal position," they said. "The debate needs to happen. The time is now."
Source-AFP