Catholic Primate Archbishop Eamon Martin has expressed that proposals allowing assisted death could pose a threat to a secure and safeguarding community, and should be firmly contested. He voiced that healthcare and medical personnel are deeply troubled about a developing political dogma that could invade their commitment to ’cause no harm’. Such a dogma could legally diminish the right to life at every stage. These arguments were put forward on the eve of a Bill facilitating assisted death being launched at the House of Commons, and ahead of the Last Report of the Joint Committee on Assisted Death’s discussion in the Irish legislature.
“All those who value a life-affirming culture throughout the UK and Ireland may find the idea of introducing laws that permit assisted suicide a detriment to the idea of a safe and safeguarding society”, commented Dr Martin.
A study from March showed that the Joint Irish Legislative Committee on Assisted Death advocated for the implementation of a law that would allow assisted death under strict conditions. For example, it should usually apply to those with a life expectancy of six months, or a year for those suffering from a neurodegenerative disorder. As per its recommendations, a criminal offence would be established if someone is found forcing another person into assisted death, and appropirate training for medics and healthcare workers should be established to identify such coercion. Coercing someone into assisted death would be a criminal activity, it added.
Meanwhile, in the House of Commons, Labour MP Kim Leadbeater is set to introduce a private members Bill which strives for the legalisation of assisted dying in Wales and England. This would allow terminally ill adults with a prognosis of limited time to make a choice about ending their life.
The rules for eligibility would be stringent, necessitating a demonstration of mental capacity, evaluation by two autonomous physicians, and possibly a need for the individual to self-administer the medication.
The proposition would exclude Scotland and Northern Ireland. In Northern Ireland, where assisting someone to die remains prohibited, both Sinn Féin and the SDLP have expressed possible backing for a law permitting assisted dying for individuals suffering from terminal illnesses. However, the DUP and the Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) maintain a firm stance against it.
In March of the previous year, Scotland saw the introduction of a Bill enabling assisted dying for people with terminal illnesses. While assisted dying in itself is not a criminal act in Scotland, aiding another’s death could potentially lead to accusations of murder or a similar crime.