The British Parliament gives the green light to a bill to legalize assisted dying in England and Wales

The House of Commons British approved this Friday by 330 votes in favor compared to 275 against the bill proposed by Labor deputy Kim Leadbeater to legalize assisted suicide in England and Wales.

A difference of 55 votes will allow this text to continue its parliamentary process, with the presentation of amendments and scrutiny in the House of Lords, prior to a final vote that would still take months.

The so-called ‘End of Life Bill for Terminally Ill Adults’, whose legislative initiative corresponds to Leadbeater in his personal capacity, would legalize in England and Wales, in the event of its final approval, that over 18 years of age who suffer from a terminal illness and have less than 6 months to live can receive assistance in dying.

The deputies expressed their opinions and debated different points of view for five hours. Ahead of the vote, the parties gave the parliamentarians freedom to vote, considering that it is a matter of conscience.

In the case of the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer which had maintained a neutral position until now, the vote count showed that He was in favor of the bill.

Requirements

Unlike past proposals, which had been unsuccessful, Leadbeater’s initiative imposes more requirements on stakeholders and becomes a crime, with penalties of up to 14 years for pressuring, restricting or tricking someone into taking their life or declaring that they want to end it.

Applicants must be residents of England or Wales and have been registered with a GP for at least 12 months, as well as having a life expectancy of less than six months and be able to make the decision and express a desire that is “clear, firm, informed and free of coercion or pressure.

Those affected will have to do two separate statementswitnessed and signed, about their wish to die, and must undergo evaluation by two doctors and obtain a court order.

The approved text provides that, although a doctor could prepare the lethal compound, It must be the person themselves who takes it and no one else would be authorized to administer it.

During the course of the debate, various organizations, including people with disabilities, demonstrated this Friday at the doors of Parliament, both in favor of and against the legislative project.