Allow healthy over 75s who want to end their life to be killed says Dutch MP
Assisted SuicideA Dutch MP has submitted a radical new Bill to legalise euthanasia for healthy over 75s who feel their lives are complete.
Pia Dijkstra handed in the bill proposal on Friday last week. In order to become law, the bill would need the support of the majority of Dutch MPs in what would be a free vote.
Ms Dijkstra’s bill would mean healthy over 75s with a strong death wish for at least two months could have the assistance of an ‘end-of-life supervisor’ to die.
However, the Dutch Medical Association believe it could undermine the strict due care conditions in existing euthanasia law, arguing that lonely and impoverished elderly people should have help, not the choice of an early death.
The bill will now go to the Raad van State judiciary advisory committee for a review which will take between three to six months. It will then be refined and scheduled for a vote.
Two Christian party’s in government are against the proposals.
What about the UK?
All forms of euthanasia and assisted suicide are currently illegal in the UK and Parliament has rejected numerous attempts to change this. The last time MPs voted on the issue was in September 2015, where a huge majority rejected the Rob Marris Assisted Dying Bill by 330-118 votes.
CARE’s response
This dangerous and radical bill would people who are tired of life to kill themselves or be killed by trained doctors and medical professionals. It is the very opposite of a caring, compassionate approach to help people at the end of their lives. It is also further evidence of the slippery slope which you can see evidenced around the world in countries where assisted suicide or euthanasia have been legalised.
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Allow healthy over 75s who want to end their life to be killed says Dutch MP