A paralyzed man who wants doctors to end his life can have his case tried in court, a U.K. judge ruled.

Tony Nicklinson, who is paralyzed below the neck and unable to speak, won the right to a judicial review. The case is of “great social, ethical and religious significance,” Judge William Charles said in a written ruling.

Nicklinson argues that current laws against assisted suicide breach his human rights. He was left with so-called locked-in syndrome after suffering a stroke in 2005, which means he can only communicate by blinking.

“Why should I be denied a right, the right to die of my own choosing when able bodied people have that right and only my disability prevents me from exercising that right?,” Nicklinson said in a statement published with the judgment.

The case is Between: Tony Nicklinson and Ministry of Justice, High Court of Justice, Queen’s Bench Division, HQ11X04443.

To contact the reporter on this story: Kit Chellel in London at cchellel@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Anthony Aarons at aaarons@bloomberg.net