The UK Labor Party has proposed a new bill that would allow terminally ill people in England and Wales who are expected to die within six months to ask for help to voluntarily end his life, BBC reported, quoted by News.bg.
According to the bill, two independent doctors will have to confirm that the person who wants to end his life meets the necessary conditions and has made his decision voluntarily. The requests must also be approved by a Supreme Court judge.
Labour MP Kim Ledbeater, who introduced the bill, stressed that it included “the most stringent safeguards that exist in the world”.
Opponents of voluntary assisted dying have raised concerns that people may feel pressured to end their lives.
Current UK law does not allow euthanasia.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he would not put pressure on Labor MPs, adding that they would deal with the issue in their own way. He specified that the bill will depend on the details and the right balance must be achieved.
According to the bill, persons who apply for voluntary assisted death must meet the following conditions:
- Be over 18, live in England and Wales and be registered with a GP.
- To be aware of their choice to end their life.
- To express "clearly, arranged and informed" desire for an assisted death, without coercion or pressure, at any stage of the process.
It also provides for a period of at least seven days between the evaluations of two doctors, as well as a further 14 days after the judge makes his decision. If the person's death is expected soon, these deadlines can be shortened. If all requirements and precautions are met, the substance that will end the person's life must be administered by him/herself.
The doctor can prepare the substance or help the person swallow it, but the final act must be taken by the person himself. It will remain illegal for a doctor or any other person to end a patient's life.
The proposed legislation would also make it illegal to pressure someone to make a declaration about their wish for an assisted death. Such a crime would be punishable by a sentence of up to 14 years in prison.