Indeed public feelings on this particular issue appear far more weighted to one side of the argument than on many other contemporary political matters. Since the start of the Twenty First Century, there have been moves to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill people in a number of countries around the world:.
America In America, a number of States now permit assisted dying such that million Americans now have that choice. The court decreed that it violated the provisions of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and that a regulated regime would protect vulnerable people. It gave the Canadian Parliament one year to change the law. Canada became the first Commonwealth country to legalise assisted dying when changing their law in June Australia Victoria became the first Australian state to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill people in June Western Australia voted to legalise a similar bill in December New Zealand A national referendum was held on assisted dying in October , and proposals for assisted dying obtained the support of Benelux The law supports assisted dying across the Benelux countries.
The Netherlands introduced assisted dying legislation in Patients who have an incurable condition, face unbearable suffering and are mentally competent, may be eligible for voluntary euthanasia or assisted dying. Each year there are approximately 3, cases of assisted dying or voluntary euthanasia in the Netherlands. Switzerland Voluntary euthanasia is forbidden in Switzerland.
However, Article of the Swiss Penal Code exempts people who assist someone to commit suicide, if they act with entirely honourable motives. Spain In March , the Spanish Parliament passed a law to legalise euthanasia, again allowing people to end their own life in certain circumstances. However following a seven hour debate, his bill was defeated by votes to , before even been given the chance to be considered by the House of Commons.
The Bill would have allowed an individual, who had been diagnosed by two doctors to be terminally ill and reasonably expected to have six months or less to live, to request assistance with ending their life. To be eligible, the person needed to be resident in England or Wales and aged over Since the issue was last voted upon in the House of Commons in , there have been two subsequent General Elections and , during which the individual composition of the House of Commons has changed considerably.
The countries where euthanasia is legal Currently Reading 1. The pros and cons of legalised assisted dying 3. The countries where euthanasia is legal Currently Reading See all pages. The ethical arguments and definitions Those in favour of euthanasia or assisted dying say that in a civilised society, people should be able to choose when they are ready to die and should be helped if they are unable to end their lives on their own.
The Week Unwrapped: Fashion for rent, a chip shortage and euthanasia The pros and cons of legalised assisted dying Assisted dying bill: MPs reject 'right to die'. Assisted dying can refer to either euthanasia or assisted suicide. Which countries have legalised euthanasia? Switzerland Probably the first country that comes to mind in relation to assisted dying, Switzerland allows physician-assisted suicide without a minimum age requirement, diagnosis or symptom state.
Euthanasia is not legal in the country. Netherlands Euthanasia and assisted suicide are legal in the Netherlands in cases where someone is experiencing unbearable suffering and there is no chance of it improving. Parental consent is needed for those under Spain In March , Spain made it legal for people to end their own life in some circumstances. Belgium Belgium allows euthanasia and assisted suicide for those with unbearable suffering and no prospect of improvement.
Luxembourg Assisted suicide and euthanasia are both legal in Luxembourg for adults. Canada In March , Canada expanded its law on assisted dying. In Quebec, only euthanasia is allowed. Colombia Colombia was the first Latin American country to decriminalise euthanasia, in , and the first such death happened in USA Several states now offer legal assisted dying. France Palliative sedation, in which someone can ask to be deeply sedated until they die, is permitted in France, but assisted dying is not.
There are a number of similar terms, that mean slightly different things. The term comes from an ancient Greek phrase meaning "good death". Assisted suicide is the act of deliberately helping another person to kill themselves. For example, if a doctor gave a patient strong sedatives knowing that the patient had the intent to abuse the medication to kill themselves, then the doctor would be engaging in assisted suicide.
Page last reviewed: 28 July Next review due: 28 July Euthanasia and assisted suicide. Euthanasia is the act of deliberately ending a person's life to relieve suffering. The law Both euthanasia and assisted suicide are illegal under English law.
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