Advocates of a legislation for assisted dying have set their sights on 2024 as a pivotal moment in the UK’s discourse on the issue, amidst a surge of efforts to amend laws throughout the British Isles.
Plans are being made in the Isle of Man and Jersey to grant terminally ill individuals the right to seek assistance in ending their lives. In Scotland, a bill on the same topic is also currently being discussed.
Supporters argue that if legislation allowing mentally capable individuals with terminal illnesses to opt for assisted dying progresses, it could lead to a significant breakthrough next year. This follows the recent publication in the Observer of a heartfelt appeal by the late actress Diana Rigg, urging for the legalization of assisted dying in a recording made shortly before her passing three years ago.
The star of The Avengers and Game of Thrones recently sent a message urging authorities to grant individuals full control over their own bodies at the end of their lives. This has sparked further discussion and coincides with efforts to propose new laws.
Sarah Wootton, CEO of Dignity in Dying, announced that bills are progressing in Scotland, Jersey, and the Isle of Man, giving British citizens a potential opportunity for assisted dying by 2025.
“This is a pressing matter and a movement that has reached its prime…the UK is on the brink of a turning point in the movement. We hold onto the belief that in the future, we will see 2024 as the year when the standstill between overwhelming public demand for change and Westminster’s lack of action was ultimately resolved.”
The proposed legislation on the Isle of Man could make it the first region in the British Isles to allow assisted dying for those with terminal illnesses. A committee is currently reviewing the proposals and is expected to give their report in early 2020. In Scotland, a bill introduced by Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur would grant certain terminally ill individuals the option of receiving assistance to end their lives within their own country, rather than having to travel abroad.
The island of Jersey has already approved the concept of legalizing assisted dying, and the government is currently working on drafting proposals. A vote is set to take place in the summer, followed by the creation of legislation.
However, critics of the proposal argue that their concerns are still valid, such as the challenges in determining who would qualify and the potential for vulnerable individuals to feel coerced into ending their life. They have also expressed worries about the scope of Canada’s assisted dying law. The last time a bill on assisted dying was discussed in Westminster was in 2015, and it was rejected.
Alistair Thompson, a representative of the Care Not Killing organization, stated that a recent survey indicated a decrease in support for assisted dying measures. He expressed concern that laws and definitions related to this issue are often expanded over time. The Scotland bill is noteworthy as all three major party leaders have publicly opposed it.
Advocates for a legal alteration are also anticipating that the upcoming national election will spark discussion about the matter. Keir Starmer, who was the head prosecutor at the time, oversaw the decision not to press charges against Daniel James’ parents. James, who was 23 years old, passed away in a Swiss facility in 2008 after becoming paralyzed during a rugby practice in March 2007.
Nevertheless, there is no indication that Starmer has a desire to revisit the discussion on assisted dying, which has historically been considered a personal belief for Members of Parliament whenever a vote is taken on the subject.
Source: theguardian.com
