With 350 votes in favor and 275 against, the Parliament of the United Kingdom approved on Friday the 29th the bill which gives some people with terminal illnesses the right to end their lives in England and Wales.
Under the proposed legislation, terminally ill adults with less than six months to live will have the right to die.
His approval comes after a heated debate over an issue that has divided the country and raised questions about the status of palliative care.
After this vote, months of additional debates will begin and the bill could undergo changes as it progresses, both in the House of Commons and in the House of Lords, the Upper House of Parliament.
Kim Leadbeater, the Labor lawmaker who introduced the bill, has confirmed that she expects the process to take another six months.
“It will be a very thorough process,” which could take another six months, Leadbeater told the BBC, adding that she is open to further discussion to address citizens’ concerns.
“There’s a lot of time to do it well,” he said after more than four hours of debate in the House, which included several emotional moments.
The House of Commons has not debated an assisted death bill since 2015, when a similar measure failed.
Supporters of the measure claim that it would give dignity to terminally ill people and prevent them from suffering needlessly.
An argument in favor of the bill is that people with more financial resources can travel to Switzerland, where foreigners are allowed to legally end their lives, while others have to face legal prosecution for their loved ones. to help him die.
This is a matter of life and death of great importance, a matter of great concern to us as citizens.
However, opponents of the bill say it would put vulnerable people at risk, fearing that some will be forced to end their lives and that some elderly or disabled people may choose to die instead. that they will not be a burden on their families.
The reasons for and against this issue which causes great polarization again marked the debates in the Legislature before its vote.
Esther Rantzen, 84, a presenter who is dying of lung cancer, has urged the bill to pass so others don’t have to do what she plans to do, traveling to Switzerland to end her life be legally terminated. Rantzen urged all 650 parliamentarians to attend the hearing.
“This is a very important matter of life and death, which is of great concern to us as citizens (…) It is only fair that as many parliamentarians as possible listen to the arguments for and against, and making their own decisions, according to your own. your conscience, your personal thoughts and feelings,” Rantzen said in a public letter.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who previously supported assisted dying, said the Government would remain neutral and not say how it would vote. Some members of his cabinet previously said they would support the bill, while others opposed it.
Former Labor prime minister Gordon Brown, along with three former Tory prime ministers (Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Theresa May) have publicly opposed the bill, although they are no longer in the House of Commons and they cannot vote.
For his part, the Conservative and former head of the British government, David Cameron, said that he supports the proposal.
What are the specifications of the bill?
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Under the proposed legislation, only people in England and Wales who are over 18 and expect to die in the next six months can apply for assisted dying. They must have the mental capacity to make an end-of-life decision and will be asked to make two separate statements about their wish to die.
Labor lawmaker Kim Leadbeater, who proposed the bill, insists there are strong safeguards built into the law and that there are “three levels of scrutiny”: two independent doctors and a High Court judge must sign off -any decision.
Anyone found guilty of pressuring, coercing or forcing someone to make a statement that they want to die faces up to 14 years in prison.
Assisted suicide is currently banned in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Anyone who assists a person to end their life can be prosecuted and face up to 14 years in prison.
Who provides the medicine?
The patient must give the medicine that ends life. It cannot be given by a doctor or other person.
It is not the duty of a health professional to help the patient.
The doctors involved must be sure that the person making the declaration of death has done so voluntarily. They must also ensure that the interested person makes an informed decision.
Other countries that have legal assisted suicide include Australia, Belgium, Canada and parts of the United States, with rules on who is eligible varying by jurisdiction.
Assisted suicide is different from euthanasia, allowed in the Netherlands and Canada, which involves health professionals giving a lethal injection at the patient’s request under certain circumstances.
With information from 24 in France
2024-11-30 21:16:00
#United #Kingdom #approved #historic #assisted #dying #bill
## Assisted Dying in the UK: A Landmark Vote and the Road Ahead
**world-Today-News.com Exclusive Interview**
The UK Parliament took a monumental step this week, voting in favor of a bill that would allow terminally ill adults to choose assisted dying. This landmark decision has sparked nationwide debate, raising complex questions about individual autonomy, palliative care, and the sanctity of life. To shed light on this crucial issue, Dr. Eleanor Cavendish, an expert on medical ethics and end-of-life care at King’s College London, shares her insights with World-Today-News.com.
**WTN**: Dr. Cavendish,the assisted Dying Bill has passed its initial hurdle in Parliament.What are your thoughts on this historic vote?
**Dr.Cavendish**: This is undoubtedly a watershed moment for the UK. For years, the debate regarding assisted dying has been incredibly polarized. While I understand and respect the concerns from both sides,I believe this bill represents an important step towards recognizing the autonomy and dignity of terminally ill individuals.
**WTN**: Opponents argue that legalizing assisted dying could put vulnerable people at risk. Do you share these concerns?
**Dr. Cavendish**: It’s crucial to address these concerns head-on. The proposed legislation includes stringent safeguards to prevent abuse and protect vulnerable individuals.
Eligibility would be strictly limited to adults with a terminal illness and a confirmed prognosis of six months or less to live. Two independent physicians would have to assess the individual’s mental capacity and ensure their request is voluntary and informed.
These safeguards are essential to ensuring that the law is used responsibly and ethically.
**WTN:** There are also ethical questions surrounding the role of healthcare professionals in assisting with dying. How do you view this aspect?
**Dr. Cavendish**: This is undoubtedly a deeply personal and complex issue for healthcare professionals.
Some may feel strongly that assisting in a patient’s death violates their ethical principles. Others may believe that it’s a compassionate and merciful act, allowing individuals to die with dignity on their own terms.
It’s critically important to remember that participation in assisted dying would be entirely voluntary for healthcare professionals, and conscientious objection would be fully respected.
**WTN**: What are the next steps for this bill?
**dr. Cavendish**: The bill faces further scrutiny and debate in both Houses of Parliament. It’s likely to undergo revisions and amendments before it potentially becomes law. This process will be crucial in ensuring that the legislation is robust, thorough, and reflects the complex views of the British public.
**WTN**: Dr. Cavendish, how do you see the debate around assisted dying evolving in the coming years?
**Dr. Cavendish**: This is just the beginning of a long and nuanced conversation. I anticipate continued debate and reflection, both in the UK and internationally. As our understanding of end-of-life care evolves, it’s essential to engage in these discussions with empathy, compassion, and a commitment to finding solutions that respect individual autonomy and uphold the values of a just and compassionate society.
**Thank you for your insights, Dr.Cavendish. This is certainly an issue that will continue to generate debate and reflection in the UK and beyond.**
***
*Note: This is a fictional interview created for illustrative purposes only.*
