NEWS AND COMMENT
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.
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.
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.
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.
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…
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…
Dark money anti-assisted dying ad taken down from Facebook
A Facebook advertisement by the anti-assisted dying organisation Our duty of care UK has been taken down for failing to disclose who paid for it.
MDMD urges BMA to vote in favour of compassion and empathy
My Death, My Decision has called on the British Medical Association (BMA) members to consider compassion and empathy by voting in favour of assisting dying in the association’s consultation which…
Assisted dying campaigner Phil Newby refused permission by Court of Appeal
Phil Newby has been denied permission by the Court of Appeal to challenge the UK’s prohibitive law on assisted dying.
Justice Secretary considers review into assisted dying
Secretary of State for Justice, Robert Buckland QC, has announced that he is considering a review into the law on assisted dying, adding there is a need to ‘take into…
MPs debate assisted dying call for evidence
MPs from across the political divide have supported calls for an independent inquiry into assisted dying. My Death, My Decision welcomed MPs’ support on this issue.
Canada forges ahead with consultation on assisted dying for the incurably suffering
The Canadian Government has launched a consultation on changing its law on medically assisted dying. Under its current rules, Canadian adults who are of sound mind can voluntarily request an…
High Court refuses permission for Paul Lamb’s right-to-die case
Today, the High Court has rejected permission for Paul Lamb, a severely disabled man, to challenge the law on assisted dying.
Phil Newby denied permission to challenge the UK’s ban on assisted dying
Phil Newby, an incurably suffering father of two, has been denied permission to challenge the UK’s ban on assisted dying. In a handed down judgment from the High Court, Lord…
UK’s largest medical body launches assisted dying survey
The UK’s largest medical body, the Royal College of General Practitioners, has launched a consultation on whether to change its policy on assisted dying, which it currently opposes.
