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A Dutch lesson for Israel
Op-ed: As Dutch euthanasia uproar shows, UN human rights body only cares about Israel
American presidential hopeful Rick Santorum recently stated that 10% of those who die in the Netherlands are killed by euthanasia. He added that half of these cases were involuntary. Over a few years, this would make the Dutch medical profession a far bigger murderer of civilians than Syrian President Bashar Assad.
There were many loud protests from the Netherlands stating that Santorum’s claims were false, as euthanasia is applied on 2.5% of all dying people per year. A contributor to Forbes, however, pointed out that when applying certain calculations, Santorum’s claims may not have been so far off.
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Who would be better qualified to head such a committee than the Grand Master of Flawed UNHRC Reporting, Judge Richard Goldstone? As his report on Israel was a classic exercise in distorted methodology, its model should be followed. His committee of inquiry would include one member who had already condemned the Netherlands on euthanasia and another who was hostile to the country.
Goldstone and his associates would set out with their proven procedural methods. The commission would reach its conclusion on the basis of what it “saw, heard and read.” The commission had accepted hearsay in the Gaza war investigation. It would thus do the same in the Dutch situation.
As there are many medical doctors in the Netherlands who consider euthanasia immoral, some of them would likely testify and present the facts they have about its abuse.
Netherlands needn’t worry
Some individuals would appear before the Goldstone commission relaying that family members had asked to apply involuntary euthanasia on a patient in order to lay their hands on his inheritance. As hearsay is accepted as evidence, I could also appear before the commission. I have a Dutch acquaintance who told me how hospital doctors exercised extreme pressure on her to authorize euthanasia on her mortally ill husband.
As dozens of babies born with an open back have been killed by Dutch doctors in recent years, there would likely be other doctors who would testify to the Goldstone commission that children born with an open back have been unjustifiably characterized in Dutch society as “misfits.” Others who might appear before the commission would be from Helping Hands, a Christian organization for the handicapped. They wrote in the past to the Deputy Minister of Health requesting better protection for the handicapped.
Due to the commission inquiry, the international public argument on euthanasia would be widened. There would be articles stating that there have been quite a few doctors in history who were also mass-murderers. They would then refer to Josef Mengele of Auschwitz infamy. This theme of doctors who murder could be extended to the late Haitian dictator Papa Doc François Duvalier and to Bashar Assad, as well as many other lesser known ones.
If Goldstone were consistent, the report would be damning. After some time had passed and major damage to The Netherlands was done, he would write an article recanting part of his report, just as he did concerning Israel.
All of this of course, is pure fantasy. Deeply flawed UNHRC reports only focus on the one country which it condemns consistently – Israel. All other countries, including the Netherlands, needn’t worry.
Dr. Manfred Gerstenfeld has published 20 books. He is Chairman of the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs
