In the image, assisted dying campaigners rallying in London, Oct 22, 2021.
A new bill to legalize assisted dying in Britain was introduced to Parliament on Wednesday, marking the first such debate in nearly a decade. Previous legal efforts to overturn the country’s blanket ban on assisted dying had failed. Labour MP Kim Leadbeater formally presented the bill in the House of Commons, setting the stage for discussions in the coming weeks.
The bill, aimed at England and Wales, would allow terminally ill individuals to seek physician assistance to end their lives, though specific details are yet to be released. A full debate and vote are expected later this month. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has promised lawmakers a "free vote," meaning they will not be bound by party lines. Starmer has previously voiced support for changing the law on assisted dying.
Leadbeater emphasized the importance of implementing "necessary protections and safeguards," assuring that the bill would not apply to disabled people or those with mental illnesses who are not terminally ill.
Protesters both in favor and against the bill gathered outside Parliament as the bill was introduced. A similar bill in the House of Lords earlier this year has seen slow progress. That proposal restricts assisted dying to adults with six months or less to live and requires court approval based on medical recommendations.
While some supporters, like charity founder Esther Rantzen, argue for the right to choose, critics, such as disability rights activist Liz Carr, warn that changing the law could endanger vulnerable people. Assisted dying is legal in several countries, including Canada, Australia, and Switzerland, but experts caution Britain to carefully consider the impact before moving forward.
