<h2 class="wp-block-heading eplus-wrapper">Just death</h2>

In the video her expression is sad but determined. "As you watch this I am dead," she tells the camera. "But you watching this could help change the laws around assisted dying."

The woman is a Londoner called Paola Marra. She was 53 years old when she ended her life last week. This took place at the Dignitas Clinic in Switzerland, where assisted dying is legal. Her video was filmed beforehand to encourage a change of law in the UK.

Marra had been suffering from bowel cancer since 2021. As she explained in the video, "I'm choosing to seek assisted dying because I refuse to let a terminal illnessan illness that cannot be cured dictate the terms of my death." She thinks it's unfair that she had to leave the country to die.

Suicide is not illegal in the UK. However, assisting someone to commit suicide is a crime in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Most terminally ill patients need help to end their life in a humane way, but a doctor or family member supporting them could face 14 years in prison.

Other countries take a different approach. In Canada, Austria, Spain, parts of Australia and 11 states of the US, doctors can prescribe lethal drugs to patients who ask to die. The patient must be mentally aware enough to make the decision for themselves, but so sick that they are unlikely ever to recover. Similar right-to-die laws exist in Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg, and there are ongoing debates in Germany and France.¹

A few signs suggest that the law might change in the UK. Labour leader Keir Starmer thinks the current system is unjust. Scotland, Jersey and the Isle of Man, which have similar but separate legal systems, are all considering changes.

Those in favour of a change argue that the current system denies very ill and elderly people the right to choose when to die. As the campaign group Dignity in Dying argues: "When death is inevitable, suffering should not be."

At present, between 300 and 650 terminally ill people take their own lives each year - often in lonely and desperate circumstances. According to some surveys, 84% of the UK population support a change to the law, and 44% would be prepared to help a loved-one die.²

However, critics point out that any change would undermine the commitment of doctors and nurses to save lives. It might also pressure the vulnerable into committing suicide before they feel ready. According to another campaigning organisation, Care not Killing, the majority of doctors oppose any change, along with the major disability rights groups.³

For many religious believers, all human life is sacred. It's a sin to end your own or another person's existence, whatever they might be suffering. They argue that the solution is better palliativemedical care that focuses on pain relief care.

The state has an obligation to protect people, which is why we have laws against murder. Killing someone is a crime, even if they ask you to do so. But should those laws still apply when their life is unbearable and ending it might be the kindest thing to do?

Should assisted dying be legal?

Yes: It is compassionate to allow the terminally ill to decide the time and manner of their death. They should not suffer more than is necessary.

No: The current law is clear and protects the most vulnerable people. Changes put unfair pressure on doctors and the dying to end their life quickly.

Or... Public opinion is increasingly in favour of changing the law. The government should recognise this shift by debating the subject in more detail.

terminal illness - an illness that cannot be cured

palliative - medical care that focuses on pain relief