This thesis researches the connection between patient autonomy and euthanasia. The author begins by illustrating the theroretical concept of patient autonomy and the fundamental institutes of existing legislation that safeguard it. This is followed by a presentation of the position taken by patient autonomy in current legislation, with the Patients’ Rights Act as a main act in the field. Furthermore, the author addresses the restrictions to patient autonomy as an unavoidable part of the latter, and illuminates the still present problem of paternalistic behaviour towards patients. The second part of the thesis focuses on the issue of euthansia. First by defining euthanasia, and then, through the case law of the European Court of Human Rights and a comparative analysis of legislative systems in the Netherlands and Belgium, presents the implementation of euthanasia in practice. The last part of the thesis is inteded as a presentation of options regarding end-of-life decisions in the Slovenian legal system. Current legislation is described along with the options that patients have based on it. Arguments for and against allowing the practice of euthanasia are presented before the author outlines a form euthanasia practice which, in her opinion, should be in force in Slovenia.
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