Caregiver tragedy in the past 10 years, at least 8 cases 3 The defendant once said that he hoped for "euthanasia" Health Bureau: No plan to review

Similar ethical tragedies are not isolated incidents, there have been at least eight in the past 10 years. Zhang Chaoxiong, a former legislator, had contact with caregivers in 3 of the cases. He pointed out that all three of them had suggested to him that "Hong Kong mistresses should have euthanasia." He believed that it was time for the society to face up to the voices of caregivers. No matter whether they supported or not, "euthanasia" should be seriously discussed. Some social workers urged the government to speed up the implementation of a caregiver-oriented support policy, "to save the caregivers the process of finding services around them", thereby reducing their stress.

In response to the enquiry, the Medical and Health Bureau pointed out that euthanasia is illegal in most advanced countries and does not comply with the professional codes of medical personnel. The government has no plan to conduct a review on the legalization of euthanasia. The SWD reiterated that it has been providing services through different units to identify people and families in need as early as possible and provide appropriate assistance.

Can't bear his wife's suffering and burns charcoal after kissing her forehead to "send her a ride"

Back in the winter two years ago, Guo Weixian was informed by the doctor that his wife with terminal lung cancer had only a few days to live. According to his wife's wishes, he took her home from the hospital. That night, I saw my wife in so much pain that I couldn't sleep, so I told my wife that if she couldn't bear it, I could "send you one last ride". After his wife nodded, Guo massaged her and kissed her forehead, then burned charcoal in the bedroom, playing Buddhist scriptures during the period, praying for his wife to pass away peacefully. Three hours later, Guo Weixian confirmed that his wife had died and surrendered to the police on his own.

Judge Huang Chonghou pointed out in sentencing that the defendant loves his wife very much, and is also a victim in this case, and understands that seriously ill people want to live with dignity. He mentioned this tragedy, "to remind us whether we need to deal with the wishes of people in extreme and desperate situations of the same type in legislation and provisions", leaving the government to consider and follow up.

"Court Wire" reviewed data on carers killing relatives and found at least 8 similar family tragedies in the past 10 years.

8 cases of carers killing relatives, 3 people then committing suicide, 5 people admit to manslaughter

According to comprehensive media reports, in 3 of the cases, the caregiver committed suicide after killing his relatives. Some people left a suicide note and disclosed to relatives and friends that they felt exhausted while taking care of their relatives.

In the remaining 5 cases, all the defendants pleaded guilty to manslaughter in court, and some even voluntarily surrendered. The facts of the case mentioned separately that the deceased suffered from severe illness, was paralyzed by a stroke, or had to be bedridden for a long time. Several defendants were the main caregivers of the deceased.

5 The defendants were sentenced to probation and imprisonment for 2 to 5 years respectively

Among them, Li Jiahui, who was sentenced to probation for 2 years, hacked his mother to death with a kitchen knife at home in 2017, and attempted suicide by jumping off the building on the same day. Judge Huang Chonghou pointed out when sentencing that the case was a tragedy. The defendant was diagnosed with depression when he was in middle school. The sense of powerlessness at the time of the crime also deteriorated his mental state, thus killing his mother and self-harm.

However, the judge emphasized that even if the defendant has good intentions, he has no right to take his mother's life. Sentencing must assist the defendant's recovery, and it is also in the interests of the society and the defendant.

In 2018, a Pentecostal woman was sentenced to 5 years in prison for strangling him with a backpack in a hotel room because she suspected that her 6-year-old grandson, whom she had cared for for many years, was mentally ill and worried that he would not be able to live by himself in the future. Judge Du Libing emphasized that even if the defendant suffers from depression, the criminal responsibility is still high. Moreover, the defendant did not act until the victim fell asleep, not on impulse, but on a planned basis.

Eighty-nine-year-old man strangled his wife once wrote a suicide note, lamenting "the way the poor must travel"

The most sensational among them is the case of Huang Guowan's murder of his wife.

In 2017, 80-year-old Huang Guowan took care of his 76-year-old wife who was paralyzed by a stroke for many years. He was physically and mentally exhausted and worried that there would be no one to take care of his wife after his death, so he strangled his wife to death with a bamboo-made "not asking for help". Uncle Huang later surrendered and pleaded guilty to manslaughter, and was sentenced to two years in prison.

Judge Zhang Huiling pointed out when sentencing that the case was a tragedy, and the bitterness of the elderly taking care of the elderly can be imagined. The judge also pointed out that the person being cared for has suffered from the suffering of the patient and accepts the care of others without dignity; while the caregiver has to face the difficulties of caring for the patient and the mental distress.

Zhang Chaoxiong, then a member of the Legislative Council, visited Uncle Huang during his remand, and then wrote a letter of pleading for Uncle Huang. The letter revealed that Uncle Huang planned to take his own life after killing his wife, and wrote a suicide note, bluntly saying, "This is a social problem, and it is the path that the poor must take." In the end, he chose to turn himself in because he hoped to be a living example, so that the society could pay attention to the bitterness of caring for the elderly, and complained about the lack of social support for the elderly.

Several defendants have mentioned "euthanasia" Zhang Chaoxiong: It's time for society to discuss

In addition to Huang Bo, Zhang Chaoxiong also had contact with Li Jiahui and Guo Weixian during his tenure as a member. He described the three of them as "it's easy to put the responsibility on themselves, and they're all good patients, but they couldn't help them even if they tried their best, and they all saw their family members working hard. In the end, they couldn't find a solution. , the way out, I feel that (killing relatives) is a kind of relief for the family.”

Zhang Chaoxiong bluntly said that the three of them once asked him, "Hong Kong mistresses should have euthanasia."

Among them, Huang Bo once said through Zhang Chaoxiong after serving his sentence: "I think that if there is euthanasia in Hong Kong, the society will not use so many resources, and the poor will not be so miserable... The most difficult thing for a person is that life is better than death, I understand The ants are still alive, but they have no choice when they get sick.”

When Li Jiahui was interviewed by the media earlier, he expressed his willingness to promote euthanasia with Zhang Chaoxiong as a past person.

However, Zhang Chaoxiong pointed out that "euthanasia" involves complex issues such as religion and ethics, and it is controversial. Therefore, it has not been possible to discuss it in depth in Hong Kong.

Zhang has now resigned from public office and immigrated to Canada with his family. He has not been able to further promote policies in Hong Kong. However, he believes that it is time for society to face up to the voices of caregivers and seriously discuss euthanasia. "It's not easy to speak, but to accept and legislate, at least discuss euthanasia. Is there any benefit, is it good, is there something that can help people solve it, or get rid of it?"

"If this process doesn't happen, we will never be able to push it forward."

Social Welfare Sector Advocates "Case Manager" to Relieve Caregivers' Stress

According to media reports, the above-mentioned three families were not followed up by the social workers of the SWD before the incident.

Peng Hongchang, director of a community organization association that has been concerned about the rights and interests of patients, said that there are many caregivers in the society who do not know how to seek help and take the responsibility of caring for their loved ones. He suggested setting up a "case manager" to identify and centrally arrange support services for caregivers at an early stage, "saving the caregiver's process of searching around for services", which he believed could reduce their stress.

He explained that, judging from the current classification of social services in Hong Kong, the caregivers "may have to travel a lot of places and apply for different services, but it's actually a lot of trouble."

Urge the government to implement the carer support report recommendations

He also mentioned that the report "Consultant Study on the Needs and Support of Caregivers of Elderly and Persons with Disabilities in Hong Kong" released by the government in June this year recommended the formulation of a comprehensive policy framework for caregivers and made 11 strategic recommendations, including providing workplaces and neighbours. Support and strengthen hotline services for early identification of high-risk caregivers, etc. Peng Hongchang urged the government to hand over a specific timetable as soon as possible, implement the recommendations mentioned in the report, and further strengthen support for caregivers.

Health Bureau: No plans to consult on euthanasia

The Medical and Health Bureau responded to the "Court Line" inquiry, stating that euthanasia is illegal in most advanced countries and does not meet the professional codes of medical staff. The Code of Practice for Registered Medical Practitioners in Hong Kong also clearly states that euthanasia is an "illegal and immoral practice". The bureau emphasized that euthanasia is a very complex and controversial issue, involving medical, social, moral, ethical, and legal impacts on different levels, and reiterated that any issues related to life must be handled with care. The Government currently has no plan to conduct a review or consultation on the legalization of euthanasia.

A spokesman for the SWD reiterated that the SWD has been providing a series of preventive, supportive and remedial services through various service units, including outreach services, referral services, etc., to identify people and families in need of services at an early stage. They provide appropriate assistance.

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