Uruguay’s Senate has approved the ‘Dignified Death’ law, making the country the 34th jurisdiction in the world to allow assisted dying. My Death, My Decision is hailing this historic moment, and is calling on the House of Lords to constructively work on the Terminally Ill Adults Bill, so dying Brits can face the same choices as Uruguayans.
The law was finally passed on Wednesday 15 October, when 20 out of 31 senators voted in favour. Uruguay’s lower house approved the bill in August with a large majority. Uruguay’s government must now implement the regulations. Similar to here, an overwhelming majority of the public back the change in the law, with polling indicating support as high as 82%.
What does Uruguay’s new law look like?
The patient must be:
- An adult
- Mentally competent
- Unbearably suffering from an incurable illness
The patient must get two doctors to determine that they meet the eligibility criteria and that they are psychologically fit enough to make the decision.
The legislation only permits the life-ending drugs to be administered by a healthcare professional and forbids self-administration.
How does that compare to proposals in Westminster?
The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, which would legalise assisted dying in the UK, and is currently passing through the House of Lords, is quite different to Uruguay’s proposal.
The patient must be:
- An adult
- Mentally competent
- Terminally ill, with a life expectancy of six months or fewer
In order to access an assisted death, the patient must have a preliminary conversation with a doctor, sign an independently witnessed declaration, have one assessment, wait seven days, have a second assessment from an independent doctor, wait fourteen days and finally have their case reviewed by an expert panel consisting of a psychiatrist, lawyer and social worker.
Uruguay’s law does not have a waiting period or a panel sign-off.
In contrast to Uruguay’s law, the proposed legislation here only permits the self-administration of life-ending drugs. A healthcare professional is forbidden to administer the medication.
What’s the international picture on assisted dying?
Uruguay joins the Latin American countries of Colombia, Ecuador, and Cuba in allowing some form of assisted dying. Uruguay stands out in creating a detailed legal framework through an act of parliament, while the other Latin American countries allow for assisted dying through court decisions.
| Terminal eligibility | Jurisdictions |
| Expected to cause their death within 6 months |
|
| Expected to cause their death within 6 months; OR in the case of a person with a neurodegenerative disease, illness or condition, within 12 months |
|
| Expected to cause their death within 12 months |
|
| Have an advanced and progressive disease, illness or condition from which they are unable to recover and that can reasonably be expected to cause their premature death. (No time limit) |
|
Dave Sowry, Board Member of My Death, My Decision, said:
‘Congratulations, Uruguay, on passing this historic and compassionate law. The House of Lords should take note of the ever-growing international picture, where all over the world, nations are saying that dying people should not be forced to suffer at the end of their lives.
Almost everyone agrees the current situation is unsafe, unjust and muddled. The Lords must focus on improving the Bill if they can and not repeating the debate the House of Commons had.’
Notes:
Members of the MDMD team, as well as individuals affected by the current law on assisted dying, are available for interview upon request
For further comment or information, media should contact Nathan Stilwell at nathan.stilwell@mydeath-mydecision.org.uk or phone 07456200033. (media only)
Media can use the following press images and videos, as long as they are attributed to “My Death, My Decision”.
My Death, My Decision is a grassroots campaign group that wants the law in England and Wales to allow mentally competent adults who are terminally ill or intolerably suffering from an incurable condition the option of a legal, safe, and compassionate assisted death. With the support of over 3,000 members and supporters, we advocate for an evidence-based law that would balance individual choice alongside robust safeguards and finally give the people of England and Wales choice at the end of their lives.
