UK Government Petition: "Legalise assisted dying for terminally ill, mentally competent adults"

[Jojogu]

Here's a petition on the UK Government and Parliament website that members here may wish to sign:

Legalise assisted dying for terminally ill, mentally competent adults:

The Government should bring forward legislation to allow assisted dying for adults who are terminally ill and have mental capacity. It should be permitted subject to strict upfront safeguards, assessed by two doctors independently, and self-administered by the dying person.

Dying people in the UK should not have to suffer unbearably against their wishes in their final days and weeks of life. Without assisted dying, some people will die without adequate pain relief, symptom control or dignity. People should not be forced to take drastic measures or travel to another country to end their own life; they should have the option of dying at home, on their own terms, just as dying people do in New Zealand and parts of Australia and the USA, as well as several countries in Europe.

Petition: Legalise assisted dying for terminally ill, mentally competent adults

The Government should bring forward legislation to allow assisted dying for adults who are terminally ill and have mental capacity. It should be permitted subject to strict upfront safeguards, assessed by two doctors independently, and self-administered by the dying person.

petition.parliament.uk

 

[FuneralCry]

Hopefully it gets legalised. While I believe that we all deserve the option of a peaceful exit at a time of our own choosing, I am pleased that it is being considered for the terminally ill. It is cruel how some people have to die a slow, painful death, from a health condition that is torturing them.

 

[Superdeterminist]

Frustrating that it's only for the terminally ill. I get that it's one step closer to the ideal, but ugh...

 

[Rational man]

It will pass into law but it takes time. Its already passed the major hurdle. Unfortunately, im not sure my disease will wait.

 

[nottheend]

Signed

 

[Marktheghost]

Signed.

 

[Jojogu]

Update 09/01/2024:

Just an update to say that there is a new parliamentary petition, spearheaded by the Daily Express' Health Editor Hanna Geissler in collaboration with Dignity in Dying, entitled Hold a parliamentary vote on assisted dying. The description reads:

This petition calls for the Government to allocate Parliamentary time for assisted dying to be fully debated in the House of Commons and to give MPs a vote on the issue. Terminally ill people who are mentally sound and near the end of their lives should not suffer unbearably against their will.

We believe dying people in the UK should have the option of requesting medical assistance to end their lives with dignity, through a safe and compassionate system with strict eligibility criteria and safeguards. Without this, too many are taking matters into their own hands with tragic consequences. The Daily Express and Dignity in Dying support Dame Esther Rantzen's call for a free vote. The time has come to Give Us Our Last Rights.

The petition can be signed here.

 

[penguinl0v3s]

Frustrating that it's only for the terminally ill. I get that it's one step closer to the ideal, but ugh...

Mental illness is regarded as something everyone can recover from, unlike terminal illness, haha.

 

[Forever Sleep]

Update 09/01/2024:

Just an update to say that there is a new parliamentary petition, spearheaded by the Daily Express' Health Editor Hanna Geissler in collaboration with Dignity in Dying, entitled Hold a parliamentary vote on assisted dying. The description reads:



The petition can be signed here.

Thank you for making us aware of the new petition.

 

[SecretDissociation]

Praying this passes through even if its a small step

 

[doneforlife]

When you are terminally ill , are there pain killers that can completely nullify the pain ? Can you continue without medication but also at the same time not have any pain till the last stage is reached?

 

[Jojogu]

A UK Government petition to hold a parliamentary vote on assisted dying has passed 100,000 signatures in less than a month, and will be considered for Westminster Hall debate in Parliament. Humanists UK has welcomed the news, thanked members and supporters who have already signed and encouraged others to add their signatures.

This is the latest news amid a surge of support for assisted dying. Sir Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, restated his longstanding support for assisted dying, and said as Prime Minister he would be open to making parliamentary time for a free vote. Last year, several senior politicians, including Conservatives Michael Gove, Alicia Kearns, Mel Stride, and Tobias Ellwood, have said that the time has come for another vote.

High-profile figures such as Dame Esther Rantzen, Dame Diana Rigg, Sue Johnston, Dame Prue Leith, and Dame Joan Ruddock have brought media attention to the issue in recent months as well, all of them urging MPs and peers to recognise the need for a compassionate assisted dying law.

Over 100,000 signatures in less than a month on assisted dying petition

 

[Jojogu]

Notable Update:

Parliament debated the petition – "Hold a parliamentary vote on assisted dying"

Watch the debate here:



Read the transcript

Read the research

The petition

 

[unabletocope]

It will never pass. Life revolves around keeping things going and pushing people to keep going no matter how terminally ill or ill they are, as far as the system is concerned you just need to keep pushing and you need to be alive to do that

 

[DeletedAccount0864]

The term "mentally competent" is so open to interpretation. The state ultimately determines what is mentally competent (de facto).

Soon if you have an opinion different from that of the establishment you will be considered mentally incompetent.

 

[WoNkEy_DoNkEy]

I think there's every chance that it could pass BUT 99% of us on here won't be eligible so it'll only be useful for those we know or suffering strangers. A victory or not depending on how you look at it I guess.

 

[UKscotty]

The problem is that by its nature being suicidal indicates a serious mental health issue so can never pass the mentally competent or of sound mind test.

It's very difficult to know when someone with depression is terminal or treatable, that's the crux of the problem.

 

[dggtscccvfd]

The problem is that by its nature being suicidal indicates a serious mental health issue so can never pass the mentally competent or of sound mind test.

It's very difficult to know when someone with depression is terminal or treatable, that's the crux of the problem.

Does it really? Some people are suicidal due to physical health problems. It's not irrational to be depressed if you're sick, but it doesn't make you incompetent.

Regarding depression, we can know if it's untreatable: once someone has exhausted all therapies on offer their disease can be seen as untreatable. In the Netherlands and Belgium, as you know, a person who doesn't respond to any treatments for depression can opt for euthanasia.

I hope a Dutch-style law will be introduced in England.