British parliamentarians paved the way, on Friday, November 29, for the legalization of “assisted end of life” in England and Wales. At the end of a unique, passionate and moving debate, they voted by a clear majority (330 in favor, 275 against), in second reading (equivalent to a first reading in the National Assembly), in favor of the text. “Adults with terminal illnesses (End of life)” (“End of life for adults with terminal illnesses”). The latter allows any person whose vital prognosis is less than six months to obtain help from medical authorities to shorten their end of life.
The bill will still have a long parliamentary journey, but it will be difficult to stop its progress and final adoption (the House of Lords will be able to modify it, but not oppose it). The British media highlighted the importance history ” of Friday’s vote, comparing it to the legalization of abortion in England (in 1967) or that of same-sex marriage (in 2013). At the moment, helping someone to die is still considered a crime, even for a person accompanying a loved one who has decided to shorten his or her life with the help of the Dignitas association in Switzerland.
The bill is championed by Labor MP Kim Leadbeater (sister of Jo Cox, an elected representative murdered by a far-right activist in June 2016), who claims to have introduced the framework “the most protective in the world” legalize assisted dying. He “This is in no way a state-assisted suicide.”clarified in the House of Commons, but to give “to the people who are dying” control over his death. Assisted end of life will be reserved for adults over 18 years of age, who will have the green light from two doctors and a Superior Court judge, and will be able to administer the lethal dose themselves, without assistance.
Very little access to palliative care
According to polls published before the vote, the British are overwhelmingly in favor of legalizing the end of life. According to the YouGov institute, 73% of respondents want this measure. In Scotland, Jersey and the Isle of Man, MPs are also considering legalizing assisted dying. However, the House of Commons was sharply divided on Friday. Supporters of the text defended the option of dying with dignity, opponents denounced too restricted access to palliative care, poor relations within the NHS (National Health Service, the public health service) and a legislative process, which they said was rushed. .
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