Fresh calls to legalise assisted dying, as 'citizens' jury' says ending pain and ensuring dignity are top priorities
13 September 2024, 06:18 | Updated: 13 September 2024, 07:02
Fresh calls have been made to legalise assisted dying, as the first 'citizens' jury' backed the move after powerful calls from celebrities like Dame Esther Rantzen.
Listen to this article
Loading audio...
The group of 28 randomly-selected people said that stopping pain and giving people dignity were among the top reasons for supporting the change in the law.
They also stressed that anyone using an assisted dying service should be terminally ill and have the mental faculty to make the decision.
The group, which has no legal power and was brought together by a medical research charity called the Nuffield Council on Bioethics, deliberated for eight weeks.
Members were given information on assisted dying, including written material, videos and presentations.
In a final vote, some 20 of the 28 members agreed that the law should change to permit assisted dying in England.
Dignity in Dying chairwoman: There is a 'tremendously positive situation' on assisted dying
The topic has been in the spotlight for the last year, with moves to legalise assisted death being made elsewhere in the British Isles, and the announcement by Dame Esther, who has terminal cancer, that she has joined Dignitas.
The broadcaster and Childline founder told LBC's Nick Ferrari earlier this year that she will open a bottle of champagne live on air if a free vote on assisted dying goes ahead. Prue Leith, Jonathan Dimbleby are among other famous names who have backed assisted dying.
Professor Anne Kerr, chairwoman of the Nuffield Council on Bioethics' assisted dying advisory board, said: "The jury findings indicate broad support for a change in the law in England, with some important details about what this should involve.
"This is a significant finding that will be valuable for policymakers who are considering whether and how to take forward legislative change."
Anti assisted dying campaigner warns against legalising assisted dying
Those who voted in favour said assisted dying should be carried out to stop pain, as well as giving people a decision to end their life and the knowledge they can have a dignified death.
They also said it would allow people to avoid prosecution for helping a loved one to die.
Those against assisted dying warned that it could be used for the wrong reasons, misinterpreted, misused, and could result in less funding for palliative care.
When asked what the law should include on assisted dying, the jury said people accessing the service must be terminal and have the capacity to make the decision themselves.
Dame Esther Rantzen joins Nick Ferrari
One jury member, Ashok, said he drew on his own personal experience of working with people over 65 and in palliative care to come to his decision.
He said: "There was an incident where there was a lady who had terminal cancer, and she had to suffer for nearly over seven months because she refused treatment, but she was not allowed to die.
"So we had to watch her die on a daily basis. So that was really difficult for us.
"It is a very sensitive topic for us to discuss, and with all the information that we were provided, we were able to join together to come to some kind of conclusion which will benefit the larger whole."
An Assisted Dying Bill was officially introduced in the House of Lords in July.
Ali Miraj 'absolutely against' assisted dying
Former Labour justice secretary Lord Falconer of Thoroton's private member's bill - the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Bill - is expected to be debated in mid-November.
A government spokesperson said: "Successive governments have taken the view that any change to the law in this sensitive area is a matter for Parliament to decide.
"This Government has made clear that time will be provided for a proper debate and vote on any legislation brought forward."
Catherine Robinson, spokesperson for Right To Life UK, said "citizens' juries do not always represent the views of the public as a whole".
"Our laws are made in the UK Parliament which has consistently rejected the introduction of assisted suicide which has put vulnerable people at risk in countries where it has been legalised," she added.
"Parliament ought instead to focus on improving access to high-quality palliative care."
