Current legal position of euthanasia in the UK
- Created by: uisay17
- Created on: 04-02-16 14:17
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- Active euthanasia is currently illegal.
- The current legal position on Euthanasia in the UK.
- 1993 Parliament rejected a proposal to legalise assisted suicide.
- "Next to impossible to ensure that all acts of euthanasia were truly voluntary".
- Assisted suicide made illegal under the Suicide Act 1971.
- Could be prosecuted for murder or manslaughter and face 14 years in prison.
- 2010 the Government issued new guidelines about those who help a loved one to die (Assisted Suicide).
- E.g. by helping them to travel to Dignitas Clinic (in Switzerland) or helping them to take an overdose.
- Guidelines state a person won't be prosecuted as long as:
- Victim was in the right mind and asked to help to die.
- They report it to the police immediately.
- Person assisting a close relative or friend acting out of compassion and love. Can't be a person's doctor.
- They report it to the police immediately.
- Victim was in the right mind and asked to help to die.
- Guidelines state a person won't be prosecuted as long as:
- E.g. by helping them to travel to Dignitas Clinic (in Switzerland) or helping them to take an overdose.
- Mental Capacity Act 2007; patients have the right to refuse treatment.
- Also have the right to appoint an representation with the 'power of attorney' to order a hospital to stop giving treatment.
- 2015, the debate on assisted suicide came before Parliament once again.
- Falconer's Bill, once again it was rejected by a vote of 72%
- Other EU countries, notably Belgium, Holland and Switzerland - voluntary active euthanasia is permitted.
- Only for those who have expressed a desire to die and where the consent of 2 doctors and a panel of experts agree.
- 1993 Parliament rejected a proposal to legalise assisted suicide.
- Illegal under the Homicide Act 1957.
- "A crime to deliberately or recklessly bring about the death of another person without just cause".
- The current legal position on Euthanasia in the UK.
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