To Be or Not To Be: The Right to Die?

Humans are born to exist in a society; each person is a cell of society. The development of society depends on each individual within it. Thus, in any society, humans have certain rights.

The Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam stipulates: “Everyone has the right to life. Human life is protected by law. No one shall be deprived of life arbitrarily.” Therefore, the right to life is an inherent right of humans, protected by law, which strictly prohibits any acts of depriving human life.

The right to life is a fundamental need of humans, especially the right to live in a healthy environment. Some people are so greedy that they wish to live eternally, as death scares them, causing them to lose everything. However, each person has a different fate and circumstances: some live happily and prosperously, while others suffer pain, illness, and hardship. This minority may desire the right to die.

An example of such a case can be found in Can Giuoc, Long An. There is a teacher without husband, children, or property. Due to her illness, she did not dare to dream of a family or personal happiness. Despite finding joy in life and doing beneficial work for society, the fear of facing illness alone haunted her. During an interaction with candidates for the XII National Assembly in Long An, she expressed her thoughts on “the right to die.”

From similar cases and circumstances, the “right to die” is a real demand, yet it is not recognized because it contradicts human morals.

Suppose a person desires to die; their relatives would likely disagree, seeking to cure and save them. They fear facing the reality of losing a loved one and would be tormented by such a voluntary death. In a tradition-rich society like Vietnam, which values filial piety and emotion, the “right to die” is difficult to accept and deemed inhumane.

In 2015, during the National Assembly’s discussion on amendments to the Civil Code, experts proposed adding the “right to die” for individuals in a vegetative state, terminal cancer, or those suffering extreme physical and mental pain, desiring a peaceful departure.

Master Nguyen Manh Hung, Vice Dean of Administrative Law at the University of Law in Ho Chi Minh City, stated that only a few countries recognize and implement the right to die. The Vietnamese Constitution currently acknowledges the right to life, the right to donate tissues and organs, but not the right to die. Recognizing the right to die would require the State to establish laws defining this right, mechanisms to ensure proper implementation (who can use the right, under what conditions, the method of exercising the right), and prepare the necessary infrastructure.

Furthermore, if the “right to die” is stipulated, it could be exploited for targeted killings, with descendants forcing elders to sign euthanasia agreements.

Dr. Nguyen Huy Quang, Head of the Legal Department (Ministry of Health), commented, “In reality, seriously ill patients, for whom medical science has no solution, enduring prolonged pain, also wish for a peaceful death, and I believe their desire should be accepted.”

Dr. Tran Ngoc Luu Phuong (lecturer at Pham Ngoc Thach Medical University, Ho Chi Minh City) stated: “The right to die is necessary for some patients with untreatable diseases, causing unbearable pain and discomfort, to the extent that they desire death as a release.”

“From the perspective of treating physicians, understanding what patients endure, I believe the National Assembly should incorporate the right to die for these patients, especially when they still have the capacity and wish to be freed from pain,” he added.

Thus, enacting the provision “right to die” remains a dilemma for lawmakers, law enforcers, and the public.

-Thuy Phu-

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