Give freedom from suffering

It provides some food for thought that South Africa has done away with the death penalty on the grounds that our constitution prevents what the Americans call "cruel and unusual punishment".

Yet, another cruel and unusual punishment is allowed to continue and any attempt to change the way things are is illegal: if you are terminally ill – and in debilitating pain – you do not have the freedom of choice to decide to end your life.

That is why the move by the non-profit organisation Dignity South Africa to decriminalise and legalise assisted dying is so important. It is preparing a high court action that will be heard in the next few months.