Assisted dying around the world: where and when it is allowed
The broadcaster and Silver line Founder Esther Rantzen has said she has considered the option of assisted death if her ongoing treatment for lung cancer does not improve her condition, adding that she had joined Swiss organization Dignitas, which offers doctor-assisted suicide. Here we look at the policies of other countries.
Canada
Doctors are allowed to prescribe medications for self-administration and that has been successful to administer them since 2021 to those who ask to die and have a serious and irreversible medical condition. A ban on assisted dying was liberalized following a 2015 Supreme Court ruling that banning a doctor's assistance in ending life violated the constitutional right to life, liberty and security of the person needing such assistance.
The Netherlands
The Termination of Life on Demand and Assisted Suicide Act 2001 allows doctors to prescribe medications for self-administration and to be administered when it can be demonstrated that the person concerned is experiencing unbearable suffering and is making a well-considered choice to die. The person concerned must be at least 12 years old and for persons between 12 and 16 years of age, parental consent is required.
Switzerland
The Swiss Criminal Code of 1942 allowed adults to assist in the suicide of another person, as long as the motive was not “selfish.” Physicians are permitted to prescribe and administer medications for self-administration. Organizations offering assisted suicide have been providing services under certain regulations since 1985. Assisted suicide is lawful regardless of the condition of the person requesting it.
Germany
Lawmakers are struggling to agree on new legislation following a 2020 federal constitutional court ruling that a ban on assisted suicide violates citizens' right to determine the circumstances of their death by limiting their ability to seek help from a third party limit party.
US
Medically assisted dying for adults is legal in 11 of the 52 states. In Washington DC, the Death With Dignity Act 2008 allows doctors to prescribe medications for self-administration. This year, legislation was passed to give more types of health care providers in the state the ability to sign requests for medically assisted dying, and to allow the medications to be shipped to patients instead of being picked up in person.
Australia
In Victoria, Western Australia, Tasmania, South Australia, Queensland and New South Wales, doctors can prescribe medications to adults for self-administration and, in cases where a person is physically unable to self-administer, to administer the medications . Assisted death remains illegal in the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). In October, a bill was introduced to legalize voluntary assisted dying in the ACT.
Belgium
According to Belgian law, for the past twenty years, patients have been eligible for medically assisted dying if they have an incurable disease and experience continuous and unbearable suffering that cannot be alleviated. Unlike many other countries with liberal legal systems, euthanasia is also legal for people who are not terminally ill, such as people with psychiatric disorders or dementia. Since 2014 there are no age restrictions; Parental consent is required for children under 18 years of age.
France
This year, President Emmanuel Macron ordered the government to consider whether euthanasia or assisted dying should be allowed in France. The law, in force since 2016, allows medical personnel to place a person who is near death and in excruciating pain under permanent anesthesia, but no longer authorizes them to administer or deliver a lethal drug.
Japan
Under Japan's Penal Code, solicitation of suicide (intentionally killing oneself), assisted suicide, commissioned murder and consensual murder are illegal. There are no laws or official guidelines governing voluntary assisted dying.