New Zealand has voted to legalise euthanasia in what campaigners call ‘a victory for compassion and kindness’. It will allow terminally ill people, with less than six months to live, the opportunity to choose assisted dying if approved by two doctors.
“New Zealand has provisionally voted to legalise euthanasia but is on course to reject law changes that would allow recreational marijuana use”, the country’s Electoral Commission said on Friday.
The results announced on Friday do not include an estimated 480,000 special votes, so the final outcome will not be confirmed until 6 November. But with such strong support, the decision is not expected to change. The referendum is binding and the law is expected to come into effect in November 2021.
What is assisted suicide and euthanasia?
Euthanasia is the act of intentionally ending a life to relieve suffering – for example a lethal injection administered by a doctor.
Assisted suicide is intentionally helping another person to kill themselves is known as assisted suicide. This can include providing someone with strong sedatives with which to end their life or buying them a ticket to Switzerland (where assisted suicide is legal) to end their life.
What is the new law?
The End of Life Choice Act was passed by parliament in 2019 after years of heated parliamentary debate and a record number of public submissions.
There are a number of criteria a person must meet to ask for assisted dying. These include:
- suffering from a terminal illness that’s likely to end their life within six months
- showing a significant decline in physical capability
- being able to make an informed decision about assisted dying
The legislation authorises a doctor or nurse to administer or prescribe a lethal dose of medication to be taken under their supervision if all the conditions are met. The law also says a person cannot be eligible for assisted dying on the basis of advanced age, mental illness, or disability alone.
Which countries allow euthanasia?
The referendum result in New Zealand will be closely watched by advocates for and against assisted dying throughout the world. By voting “yes” the country is joining a small group of nations and territories that have passed similar legislation.
Euthanasia is legal in Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, while assisted suicide is permitted in Switzerland. A number of states in the United States and the Australian state of Victoria have also made assisted dying legal.
