If anything positive can be derived from the proliferation of euthanasia in Canada, Alex Schadenberg says it’s that groups around the world are watching the number of medically assisted deaths spiral out of control there and taking action to prevent a similar fate in their countries.
Speaking at the annual Bringing America Back to Life Convention sponsored by Greater Cleveland Right to Life on March 13, the executive director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition pointed to Slovenia as an example of how individuals can make a difference in stopping unjust, anti-life laws.
Late last year, a referendum campaign initiated by a citizens’ group in Slovenia led to a euthanasia law being overturned on November 23 after it had been passed just five months earlier in July by the European country’s left-wing government.
“The most wonderful thing about what’s happening in Canada is lives in other places are being saved because of it,” said Schadenberg, who has led the 7,000-member Euthanasia Prevention Coalition since 1999 and has spoken and written extensively on the subject.
Schadenberg worked closely the Voice for the Children and the Family group in Slovenia on its signature campaign that enabled the referendum to be put before the country’s voters in a matter of months. To his surprise and many others, the nation’s euthanasia law was overturned with a 53.6 percent majority.
“It was impossible what they did,” Schadenberg said.
Pre-election polls indicated the referendum had only 30 percent backing, but Schadenberg said its backers remained firm on their talking points, and they were asked to pray.
“It’s amazing, and I think that’s a miracle,” Schadenberg said, “and it shows you that it is possible to convince people that killing people is bad idea.