The law on assisted dying adopted in Britain: global experience

In the United Kingdom, the issue of granting people at the final stage of life the right to end their lives peacefully and without suffering has been discussed for many years. On June 20, 2024, the first serious step was taken on this issue: the House of Commons passed the bill “on terminally ill patients” by a majority vote (314 in favor, 291 against). This is considered a historic step, because in previous discussions such initiatives were rejected.

The new bill grants the right to terminally ill patients in England and Wales who have 6 months or less left to live and are of sound mind, to end their lives with the help of medical assistance. In order to carry out this process, the patient must obtain the explicit approval of a special commission — a doctor, social worker, lawyer, and psychiatrist. The patient is given lethal drugs, and the patient takes them independently.

It is noteworthy that this right differs from euthanasia. In euthanasia, a doctor or another specialist, at the patient’s request, ends life by injection. In the new bill, the patient, after all approvals and checks, independently takes the medication. This not only expands patients’ rights, but also opens a humane way to end life.

Under current laws, a person who “helped” a dying patient could be sentenced to up to 14 years in prison. The new law puts an end to this practice and also provides for the creation of independent advocates and special advisory councils to protect the interests of people with disabilities, autism, or mental problems.

The bill is currently being considered in the House of Lords, but usually the upper house does not block laws adopted by the House of Commons. Therefore, it is very likely that such an important change will soon come into force in Britain.

This initiative does not yet apply in Northern Ireland and Scotland — separate voting is expected there.

World experience

The right to assisted dying, or “physician-assisted death”, is legalized in a number of developed countries. In 1942, Switzerland became the first country to legalize this practice. Among European countries, the law on “assisted dying” is also in force in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Portugal, and Austria. In the USA, it is legal in 10 states, and in Australia since 2022 in all states. Colombia, Ecuador, and the Isle of Man have also adopted such laws.

Currently, about 300 million people around the world have the right to use this option. The adoption of such laws is a serious reform concerning human dignity, rights, and the freedom to make a difficult life choice.

The new law in Britain may give terminally ill patients instant relief and the right to choose. How this law will work in practice will soon be shown, as it places great responsibility on medicine, law, and society. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!