Disturbing new information has emerged about the Police investigation "Operation Painter" which is targeting euthanasia advocates, and it raises more questions than it answers.

Wellington Area Commander Chris Bensemann has confirmed what the Voluntary Euthanasia Society suspected: that Police are acting on behalf of a secret complaint from an unidentified coroner.

VES President Maryan Street says it raises questions about unhealthy interference across jurisdictions - political, parliamentary, judicial and criminal.

“It is enough to warrant a complaint to the Independent Police Conduct Authority,” said Maryan Street.

“Perhaps lodging some Official Information Act requests would have some effect:

• "Have Police briefed the Solicitor General about Operation Painter?
  
• "Have Police sought Crown Law advice on the risks of undermining the current Parliamentary inquiry?
  
• "Has the Chief Coroner been briefed?
  
• "Has a coroner's inquest been completed? If so, where is the report?
  
• "Are Police aware of the High Court judgement in the Lecretia Seales case, where Justice Collins confirmed there are complex legal issues at stake here?”
  

Maryan Street said it is only right that Parliament addresses the need for a law change and the VES urges Police, and coroners, to step out of this political debate.

Section 4 of the Coroners Act requires a Coroner to have regard to the public interest when either reporting, or referring a matter to Police for investigation.



How has the coroner satisfied himself or herself that it is in the public interest to target elderly women, who are participating in a public debate about law changes?

Why does a coroner's secret complaint to Police attract dedicated resources, resulting in detectives fanning out across North and South Island.

A coroner may only make recommendations under the following conditions (57A) "Recommendations or comments may be made only for the purpose of reducing the chances of further deaths occurring in circumstances similar to those in which the death occurred."

Is this really the coroner's agenda?

Competent adults are entitled to make their own decisions about end of life choices. Suicide is not a crime.

It is ludicrous for police to suggest they are "acting with compassion" - there is nothing compassionate about keeping elderly women in cells overnight or intimidating them with searches of their home.

Police have overstepped the line here and need to abandon the investigation immediately.

Maryan Street
President
Voluntary Euthanasia Society/End-of-Life Choice