The British Parliament on Friday passed a new bill allowing medical assistance in dying, opening months of debate over a possible legal change that has sparked a national debate over end-of-life dignity and palliative care.
When the project is first approved, 330 legislators voted for and 275 against the proposal titled “Terminally Ill (End of Life) Adults,” which would give mentally competent, terminally ill, medically diagnosed individuals with a life expectancy of six months or less the right to choose to end their lives with assistance medical services in England and Wales.
This is a historic step towards legislative change that could lead the United Kingdom to follow the example of countries like Australia, Canada or Spain, marking one of the most significant social reforms of his generation.
However, the bill could still be amended, or even rejected, during the legislative process in the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the unelected upper house of Parliament.
“It will be a very exhaustive process”Kim Leadbeater, the Labor lawmaker who introduced the initiative, said in a BBC interview, adding that the process could take another six months.
“There is enough time to do things well,” he added after a plenary debate that lasted more than four hours, filled with often emotionally charged arguments.
Arguments for and against
Supporters of the bill say it aims to reduce the suffering of terminally ill people and give them greater control over their end.
On the other hand, critics warn that vulnerable people may feel pressured to end their lives out of fear of becoming a burden on their family and society, rather than prioritizing their own well-being.
Others expressed concern about the lack of time to review the proposal before putting it to a vote and noted that in other places where medical assistance in dying is authorized, the safeguards initially applied have been relaxed over time. time.
“There will be a new opportunity to improve it, and if that’s not possible, I hope we can reject itConservative lawmaker Danny Kruger, one of the main opponents of the legislation, told Sky News. Kruger said it was “impossible to write a bill that is completely safe.”
Leadbeater, for his part, promised to implement the strictest safeguards in the world. According to the proposal, two doctors and a Superior Court judge would have to verify that the decision was made voluntarily. Additionally, pressuring or coercing someone to end their life would be punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
A protester holds a sign in front of Parliament during the vote.
Reuters
A protester holds a sign in front of Parliament during the vote.
Reuters
A national debate
The initiative has sparked intense national debate in the UK, with former prime ministers, religious leaders, doctors, judges and ministers from Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labor government expressing their views on the issue.
Starmer voted in favor of the bill, although several senior members of his government voted against it. Polls suggest majority of Britons support assisted dying.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy explained that he voted against because he believed policy should focus on “prolonging life, not reducing it”. Separately, former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, whose Conservative Party lost to Starmer’s Labor Party in July’s election, expressed support for the project, arguing it would help reduce suffering.
The bill would change legislation in England and Wales. Scotland is considering a similar change to its regulations to allow assisted dying, while there are no such proposals in Northern Ireland.
On Friday, groups of supporters of medical assistance in dying gathered outside Parliament to watch the vote on their cell phones. When the result was known, some hugged each other, others applauded and many could not hold back their tears.
“I’m absolutely thrilled,” said Liz Reed, 38, wiping away tears. “I hope this means something so terrible can come from something positive.”.
Leadbeater expressed gratitude for the passionate but respectful nature of the debate, even from those who opposed his proposal.
“It’s a very emotional subject, but it is for a lot of people,” he said. “I’m grateful that we were able to represent those voices here today, and now we can take this issue to the next level.”
What does Spanish law say?
In Spain, the Congress of Deputies definitively approved the law on euthanasia in 2021. With 202 votes for, 141 against and two abstentions, Spain became the fifth country in the world to regulate the right to assistance in dying for people with serious and incurable illnesses. or conditions that cause intolerable suffering.
The standard establishes a strictly regulated process. Applicants must be of legal age, reside in Spain and act freely and consciously, as proven by several written requests and interviews with doctors and specialists. In addition, Each case requires an examination by a Guarantee and Evaluation Commissioncomposed of doctors, lawyers and nurses, which ensures that the decision is ethical and legally justified.
The procedure, which can last up to 40 days, allows for both active euthanasia (direct administration of a lethal substance) and assisted suicide (provision of a medication that the patient self-administers). Its application can be carried out in health centers or at the patient’s home.
The law includes the right to conscientious objection for health professionals, who must express it in writing beforehand. Although the standard enjoys the support of 87% of the population, according to some surveys it faces opposition from the Catholic Church and right-wing parties such as PP and Vox.
