Great-Britain : An extremely tight vote on assisted suicide
On Friday 20th June 2025, British MPs adopted by a narrow majority, a bill on assisted suicide, which is now to be examined by the House of Lords.
Applicable in England and Wales, the bill amended by the MPs in the House of Commons was the subject of much controversy. The text was adopted by a slender majority of a mere 23 votes, 314 votes for the motion and 291 against. In November 2024, the votes at the second reading for continuing the debate yielded a majority 55 votes.
The lack of safeguards was highlighted
Several MPs from all sides changed their position by pointing out the lack of safeguards for a bill which would cause a major upheaval in the health system.
The most controversial amendment concerned the evaluation of the access criteria for assisted suicide. Originally, the decision was to be taken by a judge following the advice of two independent doctors. Putting forward the additional workload which would be forced upon an already overloaded legal system, the MPs amended the text such that the decision would be taken not by a judge but by a committee consisting of a social worker, a high-ranking legal personality, such as a retired judge, and a psychiatrist. The opponents to the bill consider this measure to be a threat against the most vulnerable, who could feel an obligation to accept an “assisted death”, in order to avoid being a burden for their families and the health system.
Moreover, the concerns expressed by certain medical organisations, in particular the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Royal College of Doctors also influenced the votes of the undecided MPs.
During the debates, major tensions were voiced concerning the lack of palliative care, whose development should be a priority as well as on the criterion of threatened six-month life expectancy, which objectively is difficult to determine and which leaves a broad margin of interpretation.
Mobilisation by the defence groups for the handicapped
More so than in France the support groups for the handicapped voiced their opinions. Some modifications were introduced to the initial bill to include the naming of experts for those suffering from mental health conditions and for the creation of a consultation council on handicap.
Comparison with the French law
A comparison with the French law, drawn up by Alliance VITA, , shows that the British law restricts the notion of “assisted death” to assisted suicide and excludes euthanasia.
Contrary to the French bill which introduces the obstruction offence making it the most repressive law in the world, an offence against incitement to assisted suicide and the prohibition of any publicity has been introduced as well as the extension of the conscience clause to cover all health professionals.
The circuit of the bill continues with its examination by the House of Lords which can take several months before it returns to the House of Commons.
Suivez-nous sur les réseaux sociaux :
