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Kingdom — A new proposal to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales was introduced in the UK parliament on Wednesday, sparking concern from senior church leaders and opponents about its implications.
Lawmakers in the House of Commons will get a free vote on Labour MP Kim Leadbeater’s Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, allowing them to vote with their conscience rather than along party-political lines.
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Details have not yet been published but an official with knowledge of the matter told AFP the bill in its current form would require a patient’s wish to die to be signed off by a judge and two doctors.
It would also be limited to those with six to 12 months to live.
Supporters and opponents of changing the law made their voices heard outside parliament, where an assisted dying bill was last debated — and defeated — in the Commons in 2015.
Anil Douglas, 39, said an assisted dying law would have provided “safety” and “dignity” to his father, who took his own life.
“It was a very lonely, dangerous, isolated death. He was forced to take very drastic action behind closed doors and couldn’t discuss his decision with any of us that loved him,” he said.
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Currently, assisted suicide is banned in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.
