In a village in Jianyang District, Nanping City, Fujian Province, a shocking homicide case occurred. This is a seventy-year-old couple, the husband Yang is paralyzed on the right side of his body, and has been taken care of by his wife Zhang Diying for a long time. On the morning of March 2, 2021, her husband Yang was tormented by illness and pain, and asked his wife for the end of his life, and expressed his hope to commit suicide with his wife. Zhang Diying agreed to her husband's request and brought a small axe. Yang first cut Zhang Diying's head with an axe, and then Zhang Diying hacked her husband to death with an axe and a kitchen knife. Zhang Diying then slashed his wrist with a kitchen knife, intending to commit suicide. After the incident, the daughter found that her mother was injured and sent her to the hospital in time for rescue. After identification, Yang died of multiple open wounds and hemorrhagic shock at the age of 77.
After the case, it sparked widespread attention and discussion on the Internet. Many people expressed sympathy and understanding for the desperate need of the elderly to die peacefully, while others expressed doubts and concerns about this approach. The public has different opinions on such cases, with one side in favor of the euthanasia system and the other side worried about its abuse. This has sparked a debate about the applicability of euthanasia in China, and countries around the world have different views on the legality of euthanasia.
Similar cases have not been uncommon in recent years. For example, in a case in Fengtai District, Beijing, a 49-year-old woman assisted her mother in committing suicide by jumping off a building. The case caused widespread public discussion, and the daughter was eventually recommended by the prosecution to be held criminally responsible for intentional homicide. These cases are similar to the Fujian homicide cases in that they all involve family members assisting elders in ending their lives.
Such cases have had a certain impact on society. First of all, it sparked calls for euthanasia legislation. These events have sparked controversy over whether China should enact laws on euthanasia, with some arguing that the legality of euthanasia should be considered to help patients who are too sick to bear it. Second, such cases bring moral and ethical reflections to the family and society. People are beginning to think about how to deal with long-term illness and the elderly who are unable to take care of themselves, and how to balance the boundaries between suicide and help.
At present, the case has been investigated by the Jianyang District Public Security Bureau of Nanping City, and the defendant Zhang Diying is suspected of intentional homicide and transferred to the Jianyang District People's Procuratorate of Nanping City, Fujian Province for review and prosecution.
This incident has raised public questions about the legality and ethics of euthanasia. People are beginning to think about the balance between freely choosing life and respecting life, and more expectations are being raised for relevant legislation. This case also makes people think more about the issue of old-age care, how to ensure the dignity and quality of life of the elderly, and give them more choices and support.
The Fujian homicide case and similar cases have sparked a discussion about the legality of euthanasia, and at the same time reflected the urgency of the issue of pensions. The sensitive and complex issue of the elderly's free choice of life and death requires in-depth thinking and exploration under the comprehensive consideration of morality, ethics and law. This is also an important issue that we urgently need to face and solve in building a healthy and harmonious society.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to ask the reader a question: Do you think China should consider enacting a law on euthanasia?Why?