Assisted dying legal guidelines internationally – as MPs set for main vote in 24 hours

MPs are set to hold the first crucial vote on legalising assisted dying in just over 24 hours.

The Commons will vote on a private members’ bill brought forward by the Labour backbencher Kim Leadbeater to change the law to allow terminally ill people to end their lives early.

It will only apply to those given less than six months to live and each case must be signed off by two doctors and a High Court judge. The lethal drugs will be self-adminstered by the patient.

The long-awaited Bill also includes lengthy jail terms for those who coercese someone to end their lives.

Under existing laws assisted dying is currently banned in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and carries a maximum sentence of 14 years. Ms Leadbeater has she has looked at similar laws from other countries and claimed her Bill which MPs will vote on Friday on, “provides for the strictest safeguards anywhere in the world“.

Here The Mirror looks at several examples from across the globe.

Switzerland

Since 1942 it has been legal in Switzerland to provide or access assisted dying. It is not provided by the state but many British people have travelled to the country to end their lives at non-profit groups based there, such as Dignitas.

Doctors can prescribe the lethal drugs but it must be administered by the patient.

United States

Assisted dying is legal in some form in 10 states. Oregon was the first back in 1997 to allow terminally ill adults not expected to survive for more than six months to end their life. It must be signed off by two doctors. As is proposed in England, the drugs must be self-administered.

Canada

Assisted dying was decriminalised in Canada in 2016 initially just for terminally ill people. But it was loosened in 2021 to allow people suffering unbearably from serious and chronic physical conditions to request treatment.

Controversial plans to include people with mental ill health have been delayed.

New Zealand

A referendum on assisted dying was passed in 2020 allowing those with a terminal illness to opt for assisted dying if approved by two doctors. The country allows patients to self-administer the lethal drug or be assisted by a physician.

Australia

Assisted drying is legal in some form in all six Australian states – but not in the Northern or Australian Capital Territory. In the states of New South Wales, Western Australia, and Tasmania, self-administered and physician-assisted assisted dying is legal.

Spain

In 2021 Spain approved a law to allow some adults with “serious and incurable” diseases that cause “unbearable suffering” to end their lives early. Those wanting the treatment must be “fully aware and conscious” and need approval from two doctors.

There was criticism from far right and religious groups but the Spanish PM said at the time: “Today we have become a country that is more humane, fairer and freer.”