British lawmakers vote in favor of assisted dying bill

LONDON, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) — The British parliament voted on Friday in favor of a bill to legalize assisted dying for terminally ill people, a measure that has sparked divided opinions across the country.
Following five hours of debate in the House of Commons, the vote concluded with 330 Members of Parliament (MPs) in favor of the bill and 275 against.
The Terminally Ill Adults Bill, also referred to as the End of Life Bill, seeks to allow adults diagnosed with terminal illnesses to request and receive assistance to end their own lives, subject to strict safeguards and protections. The bill also includes related provisions to ensure oversight and compliance.
Under the proposal, individuals aged 18 or older in England and Wales, diagnosed with a terminal illness expected to result in death within six months, would be eligible to apply. They must demonstrate the mental capacity to make an informed, voluntary decision.
Each case would require approval from the High Court. The process stipulates that individuals must self-administer the prescribed substance after a mandatory reflection period, during which they must confirm their intent through a second declaration.
Having cleared its first stage in the Commons, the bill now enters a prolonged phase of scrutiny and further voting in both Houses of Parliament before it can become law.
Supporters hailed the outcome as a “historic” step, emphasizing the importance of choice and dignity at the end of life.
Andrew Copson, chief executive of Humanists UK, remarked that assisted dying “is already happening in this country,” with some individuals traveling to Switzerland for the procedure, while others face harrowing circumstances by resorting to suicide.
Opponents, including the United Kingdom-based advocacy group Care Not Killing, argued that the focus should instead be on improving palliative and social care systems. Some critics expressed concerns that the bill could disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, including ethnic minorities, those from poorer backgrounds, or individuals with disabilities.
“Our current laws protect vulnerable people and do not need changing. Instead, we need to prioritize providing the very best palliative care to those who need it,” said Gordon Macdonald, chief executive of Care Not Killing.
Friday’s second reading marked the first time the Commons has debated an assisted dying bill since 2015, when a similar proposal was debated and ultimately defeated. ■