CHRISTCHURCH Right to Life wants an interim restriction order to stop a book promoting suicide from being sold in New Zealand. After The Peaceful Pill, a book by Australian doctor Philip Nitschke, was initially banned from being sold in New Zealand, it was resubmitted to the Office of Film and Literature Classification with some parts of the book removed. The revised version was given an R18 rating and an order given that the book be sealed before being displayed for sale.

But Right to Life, which has consistently opposed the book, has appealed that decision and asked that the book not be sold until the appeal has been heard.

In a letter supporting the appeal, Right to Lifes Ken Orr brought to the attention of the Film and Literature Board of Review what he considers an inaccurate description of Dr Nitschke on his organisations website.

The Exit International site says the man known as Dr Death is a tireless worker for human rights.

He uses his intelligence combined with his resourcefulness to continue to fight for the right to choose, it continues.

Said Mr Orr: It is of critical importance to recognise that Dr Nitschke is not promoting human rights but is promoting a culture of death under the guise of human rights.

Mr Orr said the failure to issue an interim restriction order against the book could result in vulnerable persons purchasing the book in New Zealand, being influenced by the advice on how to commit suicide and tragically taking their own life.