Ways to die
Many European countries have legalized assisted dying.
Here is a list of European countries where some form of assisted dying
is legal, along with brief details on their approach:
Belgium: Legalized euthanasia and assisted suicide in 2002. The law is
known for being liberal, as it allows for assisted dying for both
adults and, under specific conditions, children who are in a "futile
medical condition of constant and unbearable physical or mental
suffering."
The Netherlands: Was the first country to legalize euthanasia in 2002.
The law is similar to Belgium's, allowing for both euthanasia and
assisted suicide under strict conditions of "unbearable suffering,"
which can include psychological suffering. The law was extended in
2023 to include children under 12.
Luxembourg: Legalized euthanasia and assisted suicide in 2009 for
patients with an incurable illness who are suffering unbearably and
are mentally competent.
Switzerland: Has allowed assisted suicide since 1942, but euthanasia
is illegal. The law is unique in that it permits assisted suicide as
long as the motive is not "selfish." This has led to the rise of
organizations like Dignitas, which facilitate assisted suicides for
both Swiss citizens and foreign nationals.
Spain: Passed a law in 2021 legalizing euthanasia and assisted suicide
for adults with a "serious and incurable disease that causes
unbearable suffering."
Austria: Its constitutional court lifted the ban on assisted suicide
in 2020, and the parliament legalized it in 2022. It is legal for
adults who are terminally ill or have a permanent, debilitating
condition, but they must self-administer the life-ending medication.
Germany: The country's Constitutional Court ruled in 2020 that a
constitutional right to "a self-determined death" exists. While a
specific law to regulate this practice is still being debated, it
effectively decriminalized assisted suicide under certain conditions.
Portugal: The parliament has approved a law to legalize euthanasia,
but it has faced legal and political challenges and is awaiting final
regulations to come into effect.
Italy: While euthanasia remains illegal, the country's Constitutional
Court ruled in 2019 that assisted suicide is not always a crime when
patients are able to make decisions and are in "intolerable
suffering." This has led to a few documented cases, but a legislative
framework is still in progress.
Tech Notes:
Uruguay is just considering this. And their ruling may spread across Latin America.
Content written and posted by Ken Abbott abbottsystems@gmail.com
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