On Friday, British lawmakers will vote on a bill proposing the legalization of assisted suicide, a decision that has sparked fierce debate across the country.
The bill, introduced by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, would allow terminally ill adults to request assistance in ending their lives, under strict safeguards.
The bill’s provisions would permit a doctor to administer an “approved substance” to a terminally ill person, whose death is expected within six months, allowing them to end their life. The law would apply to England and Wales, and it also includes provisions against coercion and falsifying documents. Despite the bill’s popularity among some lawmakers, the debate over its ethical and legal implications has been contentious.
Supporters, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, argue that it’s time to provide terminally ill individuals with the right to choose a dignified end to their suffering. However, many critics, including religious leaders, disability advocates and some members of parliament, argue that the bill could lead to abuse and pressure on vulnerable individuals, especially those with disabilities, to choose assisted death.
