Euthanasia in International Law, volition and the right to pursuit of happiness

In connection with the improvement in biotechnology, the human life is prolonged through unnatural methods. The human being, who becomes isolated with prolonged life in modern life, has started to get closer to death, giving up life. The right to life, which is an inalienable right protected by fundamental human rights, has brought about its anti-thesis due to human needs and has stimulated the process of claiming one's right to die in the pursuit of happiness. The will of an individual to die brings about chaotic, conflicting and complex consequences in domestic and international law due to obscurity of death. The European Court of Human Rights considers the applications related with euthanasia on the basis of inalienability of the right to life. In between the concepts of right to life and right to a qualified life with human dignity on one hand, and paternalist approach of legislators, executors and health care personnel on the other, the individuals with very little information about the world and themselves attempt to attain the freedom of self-determination in face of suffering that life has generated and remind that they have the right to pursuit of happiness. This thesis studies the euthanasia cases that are reflected to international law, while also discussing the regulations in domestic law. The thesis emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary work of law-makers, law enforcement personnel and health personnel in the field of human rights. It examines human volition, bioethics and euthanasia cases taken to the European Court of Human Rights and also the variations in domestic law regulations. Keywords: Euthanasia, international law, compatative law, European court of human right, asistes suicaide, biotechnology, bioethics, right to life, dignty, volition, rigths to pursuit of happiness, Sumerians