NEWS AND COMMENT

A generation of assisted dying campaigners demand an inquiry into the law

The families and living claimants from most of the past right-to-die cases have come together for the first time, and called for an inquiry into assisted dying. In a joint…

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Parliament could legalise assisted dying within 4 years, says ex Cabinet Minister

Conservative MP, Andrew Mitchell, in a recent Sky News interview, suggests that the law on Assisted Dying may change within this parliament. 'I was, as a student and as a…

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New Book ‘Last Rights’ prompts discussion on assisted dying reform

A new book released by the campaign group Dignity in Dying, ‘Last Rights - The Case for Assisted Dying’, has explored arguments on assisted dying in the wake of Covid-19.…

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Listen to the evidence’ on assisted dying, says renowned assisted dying expert at My Death, My Decision’s 2020 Doran Lecture.

One of Canada’s leading assisted dying doctors, Dr Stefanie Green, has urged politicians to ‘listen to the evidence’ on assisted dying, as part of the 2020 Doran Lecture, an annual…

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Patients can mistakenly believe assisted dying is available in the UK, causing additional mental suffering, warns former nurse.

A former nurse has opened up about how cruel it feels to refuse patients, who do not want to endure weeks of suffering, the option of a legal assisted death. 

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Ban on assisted dying undermines end-of-life care in Wales, suggests My Death, My Decision

My Death, My Decision has responded to a consultation on the future of justice in Wales by calling for assisted dying to be devolved - in order to unify Wales’…

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Adults have a right to shape and control their end-of-life, says Court of Protection

A 34-year-old man who is on life-support will be allowed to die following a ruling from the Court of Protection. The man, known as ‘MSP’ for legal reasons, has suffered…

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Restricting assisted dying to the terminally ill would be ‘totally arbitrary’, says disabled journalist Melanie Reid

Award-winning journalist of the Times’ Spinal Column and author of The World I Fell Out Of Melanie Reid MBE, has criticised attempts to limit assisted dying for those with only…

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Medical voices urge doctors to respect patients’ wishes about coronavirus

An article published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) has called upon healthcare professionals to respect their patients’ end-of-life wishes, and ensure that the rights of those receiving care are…

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Dutch court backs assistance to die for people with advanced Alzheimer’s

The Netherlands’ highest court has ruled that doctors can honour euthanasia requests for adults with advanced Alzheimer's, provided they have signed a written request beforehand. 

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Distinguished right-to-die activist Barbara Smoker dies

My Death, My Decision was sad to learn that the celebrated right-to-die activist Barbara Smoker has died aged 97.

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Queensland – the next Australian state to legalise Assisted Dying?

A parliamentary committee has recommended that the Australian state of Queensland should legalise voluntary assisted dying for adults with an advanced terminal illness.

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MDMD condemns inhumane lack of choice, as incurably suffering man is forced to starve himself to death

An incurably suffering man, who wants the option of a legal assisted death, has decided to end his life by starving himself to death - while the choice is still…

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Assisted Dying laws forced our mum to die without the right-to-say-goodbye, says grieving family

The family of an unnamed woman who travelled to Switzerland to die in secrecy have criticised the current ban on assisted dying for denying their family and close friends a…

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Jersey will establish a Citizens ‘Jury’ on Assisted Dying

In a nationwide first, the Jersey Health Minister has said he will establish a public forum of 12 - 24 citizens to consider the issue of assisted dying reform. My…

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Do Alzheimer’s sufferers have to choose assisted dying too soon?

Leila Bell, an 85 year old Canadian, suffered from early stage Alzheimer's disease. She died in August 2019 using the Canadian Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) legislation. However, in an…

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Germany’s top court overturns ban on physician-assisted dying

Germany’s constitutional court has ruled that a law forbidding professional assistance to die is unconstitutional, in a move that is being seen as a major victory for assisted dying campaigners.

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Canada moves to broaden assisted dying law

The Canadian government has proposed changing the law on assisted dying to extend access for those who are not terminally ill.

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Distinguished Doctors and Philosophers urge BMA members to support assisted dying

A diverse range of thirty doctors, philosophers, academics, and campaigners have signed an open letter, which appeared in the Guardian today, urging members of the British Medical Association to support…

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Royal College of General Practitioners maintain opposition to assisted dying

The Royal College of General Practitioners has maintained its 14-year opposition to assisted dying, despite a majority of GPs voting to support a change in the law or adopt a…

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