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UK Bill to Allow Assisted Death Passes First Stage

UK Bill to Allow Assisted Death Passes First Stage Pulse news network
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LONDON: A bill giving terminally ill patients the right to choose assisted death has passed its first stage in the UK Parliament.

The bill, introduced by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, aims to allow people suffering from severe illness to decide to end their lives. It received 330 votes in favor and 275 against.

Under the proposed law, a person must be over 18, free from pressure, and make the decision voluntarily. The person’s life expectancy should be no more than six months, according to medical opinions.

They would need to sign a declaration in front of two witnesses and convince two doctors, one week apart, that they meet the criteria.
A High Court judge would then approve the decision, and the individual would have to wait 14 days before proceeding.

The bill also specifies that the person would be provided with the means to end their life by a doctor, but they would carry out the act themselves.

The bill does not specify which drugs would be used. Encouraging someone to choose assisted death would carry a 14-year prison sentence.

The bill will now move to committee stage, where amendments can be made. It will only become law if approved by both Parliament and the House of Lords.

In 2015, a similar bill was rejected by a large majority in Parliament. This new bill marks another step in the ongoing debate over assisted dying in the UK.

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