Britain’s Parliament passed a new bill on Friday that would allow assisted dying, kicking off months of debates over a potential legal change that has sparked a national conversation about end-of-life dignity and palliative care.
In an initial approval of the project, 330 legislators voted in favor and 275 against the proposal entitled “Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life)”, which would give mentally competent, terminally ill, medically diagnosed people with a life expectancy of six months or less, the right to choose to end their life with medical assistance in England and Welsh.
This is a historic step towards a legislative change that could lead the United Kingdom to follow the example of countries such as Australia, Canada or Spain, marking one of the most significant social reforms of its generation.
However, the bill could still be modified or even rejected as it goes through the legislative process in both 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 an interview with the BBC, adding that the process could take another six months.
“There is enough time to do it well,” he added after a debate in plenary that lasted more than four hours, loaded with often emotional arguments.
Arguments for and against
Supporters of the bill argue that it seeks to shorten the suffering of terminally ill people and give them greater control over their end.
By contrast, critics warn that vulnerable people may feel pressure to end their lives for fear of becoming a burden on their families and society, rather than prioritizing their own well-being.
Others expressed concern about the lack of enough time to consider the proposal before putting it to a vote and noted that in other places where assisted dying has been allowed, the safeguards initially applied have been relaxed over time.
“There will be a new opportunity to improve it, and if it is not possible, I hope we can reject it“Tory lawmaker Danny Kruger, a leading opponent of the legislation, told Sky News. Kruger said it was “impossible to draft a bill that is completely safe.”
Leadbeater, for his part, has promised to implement the world’s strictest safeguards. Under 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 outside parliament at the time of the vote.
Reuters
A protester holds a sign outside parliament at the time of the vote.
Reuters
A national debate
The initiative has sparked intense national debate in the United Kingdom, with former prime ministers, religious leaders, doctors, judges and ministers in Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labor government expressing their views on the issue.
Starmer voted in favor of the bill, although several prominent members of his government voted against it. Polls suggest majority of Britons support assisted dying.
Foreign Minister David Lammy explained that he voted against because he believes that policy should focus on “prolonging life, not shortening it.” Separately, former prime minister Rishi Sunak, whose Conservative Party lost to Starmer’s Labor in the July 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 people in favor of assisted dying gathered in front of Parliament to follow the vote on their mobile phones. When the result was known, some hugged each other, others applauded and many could not contain their tears.
“I’m absolutely delighted,” said Liz Reed, 38, as she wiped away tears. “I hope this means that something positive can come from something so terrible.”.
Leadbeater expressed gratitude for the passionate but respectful nature of the debate, even by those who opposed his proposal.
“It’s a very emotional topic, but it is for many 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 euthanasia law in 2021. With 202 votes in favor, 141 against and two abstentions, Spain became the fifth country in the world to regulate the right to an assisted death 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, resident in Spain and act freely and consciously, proven through several written requests and interviews with doctors and specialists. Besides, Each case requires review by a Guarantee and Evaluation Commissionmade up 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 both active euthanasia (direct administration of a lethal substance) and assisted suicide (provision of a drug 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 advance in writing. Although the norm has the support of 87% of the population, according to some surveys, it is opposed by the Catholic Church and right-wing parties such as PP and Vox.
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