A new proposal seeking to legalize assisted dying in England and Wales has been introduced in Parliament, generating significant concern from religious leaders and opponents regarding the potential consequences of allowing terminally ill patients to choose their end-of-life options.
Members of the House of Commons will participate in a free vote on Labour MP Kim Leadbeater’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, providing them the opportunity to vote based on personal beliefs rather than party affiliations.
While specific details of the bill are still pending, reports indicate that if passed, the decision for a patient to end their life would require approval from a judge and two medical professionals, and would be restricted to patients with six to 12 months to live.
Supporters and critics of the bill are expected to voice their opinions outside Parliament, marking the first major debate on assisted dying since a similar proposal was rejected in 2015.
Currently, assisted suicide remains prohibited across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, carrying a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison. In Scotland, although there isn’t a specific law against assisted suicide, individuals can face other legal charges, including murder.
Leadbeater has emphasized a growing public support for assisted dying, referencing the legalization of similar laws in various European nations. She expressed her commitment to changing the law, sharing accounts from families affected by tragic suicides and painful deaths of loved ones.
“People deserve a choice and they’ve not got that,” she stated, pledging that her bill would incorporate essential safeguards and protections.
The momentum for this legislative change has been bolstered by a campaign led by a well-known figure with terminal cancer, who has brought significant attention to the issue.
Opposition to the proposed legislation includes disability rights organizations and Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the UK’s highest-ranking Roman Catholic cleric, who has encouraged the public to reach out to MPs against the proposal.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has also described the bill as a “dangerous… slippery slope,” expressing concerns that it could extend to individuals who are not terminally ill. He is among the senior Church of England clerics entitled to vote in the House of Lords.
Critics from anti-euthanasia groups warn that changing the law could mirror practices in Belgium and the Netherlands, where assisted dying has been expanded to minors. They argue that such a bill could inadvertently pressure vulnerable individuals into ending their lives prematurely.
The debate and vote on Leadbeater’s bill are anticipated for November 29, with uncertainty regarding the outcome due to its nature as a private member’s bill, separate from the government’s legislative agenda.
Additionally, a bill advocating for assisted dying in Scotland was introduced earlier this year, while the Isle of Man and Jersey are progressing toward similar legislative measures for terminally ill individuals.
Belgium and the Netherlands were pioneers in Europe for legalizing euthanasia back in 2002, with Spain and Portugal following suit in 2021 and 2023, respectively.
