REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BANDA ACEH -- The sole judge of the Aceh District Court had denied a request for euthanasia, or assisted suicide through injection, which was proposed by 46-year-old Berlin Silalahi, who became a victim of the Tsunami that struck Aceh in 2004.

The decision to reject the request was delivered by judge Ngatemin in the main court room of the Banda Aceh District Court on Friday.

Berlin did not attend the trial session as he is in a paralyzed condition and is suffering from chronic respiratory illness.

His attorney from the Aceh Public Advocates Foundation (YARA) Mila Kesuma and Yusi Muharnina were present in the court.

"The Court has rejected the proposal for euthanasia, made by Berlin Silalahi, as there are no legal grounds for it. Assisted suicide is banned in Indonesia," said judge Ngatemin.

The judge believed that a proposal for euthanasia is a violation of human rights and granting the permission for assisted suicide equals to depriving an individual of their rights to remain alive.

"Euthanasia is a violation of one's absolute right. Everyone has the right to live. Especially in Islam, euthanasia is strictly prohibited," he pointed out.

He further stated that Berline is a Muslim and in Islam, death is a part of fate. Death through euthanasia is an act that precedes fate and it equals suicide.

"Euthanasia is banned in Indonesia. Everyone can only die through natural causes based on their own fate. Euthanasia is contradictory to the legal and traditional norms of Indonesia," he reiterated.

It was previously reported that 46-year-old Berlin, who became a victim of the Tsunami that struck Aceh in 2004, had proposed euthanasia or intentional death by injection to be performed on him.

He made the proposal in full consciousness and based on his own wishes due to his condition in which he is suffering from physical disabilities, including paralysis and illnesses.

Berlin can no longer earn money for his family, whilst his wife is currently unemployed.

For day-to-day living, he relies on the help of fellow victims of the Tsunami, who are living in the Bakoy Barrack along with him, but now the Barrack has also been dismantled.

He had also attempted to heal his illnesses through treatment at a number of hospitals in Aceh, as well as non-medical alternatives, but he has yet to find the cure.

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