As incredible as it sounds, the practice of both self-administered medication-assisted suicide and euthanasia is legal in several countries.
Euthanasia is where a doctor administers deadly drugs to a patient upon the latter’s request.
According to Statista, the practice has been in place since the 1980s.
Without further ado, below are the countries that support assisted suicide:
Netherlands
While assisted suicide is practised in the Netherlands, it is important to note that the act is performed only when the patient has clearly expressed the wish to die.
The country’s website reveals that under Dutch law, any action intended to terminate life in principle is a criminal offence.
Since the country has statutory rules and procedures for the termination of life on request, the only exemption from criminal liability is when a patient is suffering unbearably with no possibility of improvement and the physician treating that individual has fulfilled the statutory due care criteria.
Belgium
Introduced in 2002, Belgium’s euthanasia law makes provision for foreigners to request to end their lives in the country. This is because an increasing number of patients from other countries are seeking assisted suicide there.
Per a Euronews report, over 70 French people in 2022 crossed the border to die in Belgium. But there are conditions to accede to the request.
The aforementioned news outlet says that to obtain euthanasia, Belgian law specifies three conditions; the request must be voluntary, considered and repeated, the patient must be in unbearable suffering, and the suffering must be the result of an incurable or serious ailment.
Switzerland
Here, there is an unusual position on assisted suicide; it is legally condoned and can be performed by non-physicians.
While euthanasia is deemed illegal, there is an ongoing debate about decriminalisation that explores participation by non-physicians.
According to Wikipedia, active euthanasia in Switzerland is illegal but providing the means for dying is legal (assisted suicide).
Colombia
In May 2022, Colombia’s Supreme Court voted to decriminalise assisted suicide, allowing medical professionals to help end the lives of patients.
Physicians can administer life-ending drugs to patients with serious and incurable illnesses that are deemed to prevent them from living a dignified life.
The ruling made Colombia the first Latin American country to decriminalise assisted suicide.
Spain
In Spain, euthanasia has been legal since June 25, 2021, as the law here decriminalises medical aid to die.
The country’s law also specifies who, when, and with what requirements euthanasia may be provided.
However, the request must be made on four occasions and be backed by medical reports, with healthcare workers reserving their right to conscientious objection.
Austria
Before 2022, Austria had one of the most rigorous prohibition systems against suicide assistance. After the law was passed in 2022, assisted suicide is now allowed under strict requirements.
The World Federation Right To Die Societies (WFRDS) reveals that the prerequisite is that those willing to die are informed by a doctor and the disease is detected. Furthermore, the ability to make the decision must be confirmed by a second physician.
For those who have a short time to live, after two weeks, a death order can be drawn up at the notary and one gains access to a lethal preparation, available at the pharmacy. The submission must then be noted in the register.
New Zealand
In New Zealand, there are strict eligibility criteria for assisted dying as not everyone with a terminal illness will be given the green light.
For the person to be eligible, the Act states that he or she must meet all criteria.
The individual must be:
- Aged 18 years or above
- A citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand
- Suffering from a terminal illness likely to end their life within 6 months
- In an advanced stage of irreversible decline in physical capability
- Going through unbearable suffering that cannot be relieved in a manner that the patient considers tolerable
- Competent to make an informed decision about assisted dying