What is the law on deliberate euthanasia in Britain and other European states?
Ursula Smartt, senior lecturer in law at Thames Valley University in West London, explains. Apart from in The Netherlands, euthanasia is against the law, and classed as a criminal act. Euthanasia is popularly taken to mean the practice of helping severely-ill people die, either at their request or by taking the decision to withdraw life support. The definition under Dutch law is narrower – it means the termination of life by a doctor at the express and voluntary wish of a patient. Since the Dutch Supreme Court declared in 1984 that voluntary euthanasia is acceptable, the law allows a standard defence from doctors if they have adhered to ten clearly defined official guidelines and conditions. Intentions These hinge on the intentions of the person wanting to die, on the request and whether or not the suffering is relievable. It is not a condition that the patient is terminally ill or that the suffering is physical. Citizens from other countries are not eligible for euthanasia in Holland.
