ACLJ: Supreme Court Decision Upholding Oregon's Assisted Suicide Law "Disturbing and Dangerous"

January 17, 2006

(Washington, DC) - The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), focusing on constitutional law, said today it is disappointed that the Supreme Court upheld Oregons assisted suicide law saying the majority opinion clears the way for a troubling development that is likely to lead to more states adopting assisted suicide laws.  The ACLJ filed an amicus brief with the high court in support of the federal governments position challenging Oregons law.

This is a disappointing decision that is likely to result in a troubling movement by states to pass their own assisted suicide laws, said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ, which filed briefs in support of the governments position.  It is unfortunate that a majority of the court stripped the federal government of an important safeguard to ensure that federally controlled narcotics could not be used by licensed physicians to take the life of a patient who wants to commit suicide.  This is a disturbing and dangerous decision that can only lessen the value of protecting human life.

Sekulow said the dissent by Justice Scalia joined by Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Thomas correctly identifies the role the federal government should play in this case. 

Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice focuses on constitutional law and is based in Washington, D.C.