Scottish Parliament Votes in Favor of “Assisted Dying”
The Scottish Parliament voted on Tuesday in a first reading for a bill to legislate assisted dying in the UK country, which enjoys independent powers over health matters.
After five hours of emotionally charged discussions, 70 members voted in favor of the legislation while 56 opposed it, with one member abstaining.
Liam McArthur, the Liberal Democrat MP behind the bill, stated, “This is a historic moment for Scotland.”
The same MP noted that the proposed legislation offers a “choice” of death “to a small number of Scots suffering from terminal illnesses who need it.”
The bill allows individuals to request medical assistance to end their lives if they are suffering from a terminal illness, provided they obtain confirmation from two doctors that they are mentally competent to make this decision.
The Scottish Parliament had previously aborted two attempts to legislate assisted dying following first readings in 2010 and 2015.
Following the first reading vote, the text will continue its parliamentary journey. It will become law if approved by parliament members in a final vote expected later this year.
Political parties did not issue any instructions regarding the vote. John Swinney, the Scottish First Minister from the pro-independence Scottish National Party, indicated he would vote against the bill.
With this vote, Scotland joined England and Wales. At the end of November, British MPs approved in the first reading the legislation for assisted dying for some patients suffering from terminal illnesses.
Under the bill, which still needs to pass several stages before final adoption, patients must be able to express an informed choice and self-administer the substance that causes their death. Approval will also be required from two doctors and a judge.
In late March, the Isle of Man, located between England and Ireland, became the first British territory to legalize a form of assisted dying.
Adults with terminal illnesses have the right to end their lives, provided they have less than a year to live and express a “clear and definite intention.”
Assisted suicide remains illegal in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, carrying a penalty of up to 14 years in prison for those involved in aiding or inciting this practice.
In Scotland, it is not criminalized as such; however, a person who assists another in dying can be prosecuted for involuntary manslaughter.
