Isle of Man Parliament rejects assisted suicide
Politicians in the Isle of Man have voted overwhelmingly to reject a Bill which called for assisted suicide to be legalised. Members of the House of Keys, the Manx Parliament, voted 17 to 5 to reject the call, put forward by the Minister for Home Affairs, Juan Watterson. The Isle of Man is one of the most recent places to oppose the introduction assisted suicide after the Welsh Assembly voted against it in December. Mr Watterson said: ‘I thought the vote would be a lot closer than that but that is the democratic process – it is what it is and you have to respect that.’ Peter Murcott, who campaigns against assisted suicide, said that the plans go ‘against Christian beliefs’. He said: ‘If you kill someone intentionally then in law that is murder and that is what euthanasia is’.
Saltmine Theatre Company presents: John Newton Amazing Grace
Gifted with incredible talents in storytelling, playing instruments and singing beautifully, this passionate company recounts John Newton's story with energy that you will never forget. You will easily imagine you are on board ship, then amongst slaves being sold at an auction, eavesdropping on conversations between Newton and his love, Polly, then Newton and William Cowper, as if they were alive and living today. Moved with emotion as the ups and downs of John Newton's life story unfolded before us you will be left with a clearer understanding of the poignancy of Newton's life then and what it means to us now across our nation and the world today.
Iran: Justice needed for Cristian prisoner
An imprisoned Iranian convert to Christianity, Ebrahim Firouzi, who completed his sentence on 20th January 2015, continues to be held in a prison in Karaj, according to reports. Ebrahim Firouzi was sentenced to 1 year in prison and 2 years of exile after being convicted on charges of carrying out propaganda against the state, evangelism and launching a Christian website. Apparently Firouzi will be facing additional charges from the Revolutionary Courts, but further legal action has yet to be announced.
Australia: Inquiry into children in detention
The Archbishop of Sydney says the situation of children in detention 'should concern every Australian' and has supported calls for an overhaul of the current system. A recently released politically controversial Human Rights Commission Report says ‘current detention law, policy and practice does not address the particular vulnerabilities of asylum seeker children nor does it afford them special assistance and protection. Mandatory detention does not consider the individual circumstances of children nor does it address the best interests of the child as a primary consideration. ‘The Archbishop said, ‘Governments must undertake necessary checks and the children and their parents quickly removed from detention. It only causes further heartache for families to be separated from each other at a time when they need each other the most.’
