Türkiye'deki Hukuk Profesyonellerinin Ötanaziye Bakış Açısı

Abstract

Euthanasia is a broad concept with social, legal, religious and medical aspects. In general euthanasia can be defined as painless killing of a person who has a painful and incurable disease. Although euthanasia is legal in some countries such as Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg, it is banned in some countries and may be considered as murder in criminal law. In Turkey, euthanasia is forbidden even if required conditions are achieved. In Turkish Penal Code, there is not a specific definition for euthanasia; however, it is anticipated as a crime and can be charged under article 81, 82 and 83 in Turkish Penal Code depending on the applied euthanasia method. This study is aimed to find out opinion and attitudes of Legal Professionals towards euthanasia in Turkey. The universe of research was comprised by 60 judges, 100 lawyers and 60 public prosecutors working in Uşak Courthouse, Banaz Courthouse, Eşme Courthouse, Sivaslı Courthouse, İzmir Courthouse, İstanbul Çağlayan Courthouse, Ankara Courthouse, Gölbaşı Courthouse and 60 academic personnel of law working in Istanbul Unıversity Faculty of Law, Hacettepe University Faculty of Law, Bilkent University Faculty of Law, and Ankara University Faculty of Law. In this research, a survey consisting of 33 questions was implemented to participants by 6 pollster using face to face interview method. After survey application the data obtained is analyzed using “SSPS 21.0 for Windows” software package in Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Department of Biostatistics. The evaluation of data obtained was analyzed by applying the percentage distribution and number of chi-square test. According to the obtained data in this study, the majority of Legal Professionals have thoughts against application of euthanasia; however, most of these think that the right to request euthanasia application should be legalized. Out of lawyers the majority think that euthanasia should be legal and can be applied, while judges, public prosecutors and academicians think that euthanasia should not be applied. In our country, although Legal Professionals underwent similar undergraduate training, it is observed that their professional positions and social characteristics affect their opinions on euthanasia. In our country it is important to take necessary steps to legalize euthanasia and regulations should be implemented to provide euthanasia application facilities on patients who match suitable criteria for euthanasia.