England and Wales: British MPs vote for euthanasia law

People will soon receive the right to euthanasia in England and Wales. The British MPs voted for an emotional debate for a corresponding legal text. The draft allows euthanasia for adults who only have to live for less than six months. So far, aid to suicide is considered a crime.

In the UK, the coordination in the lower house of Parliament is seen as a historical step. In the complicated British legislation, the law is now presented to the upper house, and it can practically no longer be prevented. Changes to the template are still possible.

The prerequisite for euthanasia for terminally ill people is the approval of two doctors and a body consisting of a social worker, a lawyer and a psychiatrist. If the MPs in Parliament had voted against it after the reading on Friday, the law would have been off the table for a long time.

How is the stand in Germany?

In the past few months, the British public had been emotionally discussed, also because the template had been changed months ago after the first vote. Among other things, opponents criticize that people with legalization could feel under pressure to end their lives. Before the vote on Friday, activists on both sides demonstrated before the parliament.

Active euthanasia is punishable in Germany. However, the demolition of life -resistant measures is permitted if this corresponds to the will of the patient. The aid for suicide is also punitive – it can exist in the procurement or provision of a fatal agent that the patient takes.