Italian Court rejects assisted suicide referendum as 'unconstitutional'

A petition to hold a referendum on euthanasia and legally assisted suicide in Italy has been rejected by the country’s constitutional court.

Such a vote would not sufficiently protect “weak and vulnerable” people and would therefore violate the constitution.

Last year, a petition for a referendum collected more than 750,000 signatures. Despite the court’s rejection, the matter will still be debated by Italy’s parliament.

Currently, under Italian law, anyone who helps a person commit suicide is liable for five – 12 years in prison.

In the UK, calls for a law change to allow assisted suicide continue, with Lord Forsyth tabling an amendment to this end to the UK Government’s Health and Care Bill.

Baroness Meacher’s Assisted Dying Bill is also in the Lords, waiting for a date for committee stage to begin.

When her bill was debated at second reading, more than 60 Peers criticised the proposals, which have also been eviscerated by medical expert Professor John Wyatt.

Lord Forsyth’s amendment was not put to a vote at committee stage recently – which is the convention in the Lords – but he intimated he planned to bring it back at Report Stage.

Meanwhile in the Scottish Parliament, Lib Dem MSP, Liam McArthur recently held a public consultation on a proposed assisted suicide bill. CARE for Scotland warned that the legislation would damage the lives of vulnerable people.

To find out more about the debate on assisted suicide and euthanasia, visit CARE’s dedicated cause page.