“Death is a right”, this statement is a constant reminder that is mentioned at least once during every mourning for the deceased. The fact that death is a right that exists for everyone and there is no escape from it for humans, and most likely never will be.

But is this rightness of death that is constantly emphasized, mean the rightness of death for humans or the rightness of death itself?

To understand this question, let’s approach it from a different angle: Is the rightness of death similar to the rights of life, freedom, and security, where humans, through their human nature, benefit from it and no one but the individual is authorized to interfere with or deprive them of it? Or is it similar to sexual orientation, lifestyle, and place of residence, where humans are free to choose and this right to choose is recognized in the teachings, principles, and international human rights laws? Or is it fundamentally different from any of these rights and it is only death itself that

The right to choose death in the name of right.

In legal teachings, there is a term that says “permission in an object is also permission for its accessories.” This phrase means that when a person is authorized to use a vehicle, they are also authorized to use its steering wheel and gears. This is because the permission to use a vehicle without the permission to use its steering wheel and gears is useless; in simple terms, “when a hundred comes, ninety also comes with it.”

This same principle and legal teaching forms the basis of the argument for the right to “death.” They say that since the right to choose, the right to a happy life, and the right to human dignity are recognized and accepted as human rights for all individuals regardless of any discrimination, choosing death for the sake of liberation from an unhappy life or simply exercising the right to choose is using the rights that humans possess by virtue of their humanity.

According to them, the right to choose death is the same as the ninety that is recognized for humans and is like permission for the

Suicide; choice or coercion?

In the face of this approach (suicide as a personal choice), however, another group (mostly social workers and psychologists) believe that suicide is not a personal choice but a forced act that an individual is compelled to do. According to these opponents of the idea of suicide as a choice, a person who is struggling with the desire to commit suicide may have a role in choosing the method or timing of their suicide, but they have no role in having thoughts or desires of suicide. Just like a person who has cancer and may have a role in choosing their treatment or its effects, but certainly had no role in choosing to have cancer.

On the other hand, since suicide is essentially a way to escape from the pain and pressure of physical and mental illnesses, difficult socio-economic conditions, or family problems, the goal of committing suicide for someone who attempts it is to be free from their problems and difficulties, not just to die from it. Therefore, what is actually chosen by the individual is a way

Choosing death, unforgivable sin

The concept of death and its choice has another strong and serious opponent: the religious and the devout. They consider any interference in human affairs as forbidden and view life, which is considered the greatest and most superior blessing from God, as more sacred than allowing humans to have control over it. While life is essentially a characteristic and possession given to humans as a mercy and compassion from God, humans are obligated to fulfill their duties towards it, not to use it in any way they desire.

In this perspective, human life is not something that is entrusted to human control, but rather it belongs to God and it is solely up to Him to decide about taking it away. Furthermore, if suicide and choosing death are a result of exhaustion from mental and psychological pressures, especially despair from improving conditions, it means that the person has lost hope in God’s help, wisdom, and mercy, and this is the greatest and most unforgivable sin.

In fact, what prevents death from being considered a right and choice

“Chosen death, happy life”

Among these, there is another aspect in which the right to death is not only recognized, but has also gained importance as a fundamental right related to the inherent dignity of human beings, and is therefore considered one of the basic human freedoms and inalienable rights.

In this interpretation of the right to death, it is the principle of prohibition of torture and any inhumane, cruel, and degrading treatment in international human rights laws that justifies the right to death. This is because forcing someone to stay alive in any circumstances, especially in the face of severe physical or mental illnesses, against their will and desires, is considered as an act of inhumane, cruel, and degrading behavior. Although the purpose of such actions is not to torture, they may still cause less suffering than torture, but according to the principles and laws of international human rights, they are prohibited.

Of course, at first glance, the attempt to equate the conditions of a physically or mentally ill patient with that