Euthanasia

Ministry of Justice written question – answered at on 21 July 2016.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Rosie Cooper Rosie Cooper Labour, West Lancashire

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will make an assessment of the implications for her policy of the Belgian court ruling that a nursing home did not have the right to refuse euthanasia on the grounds of conscientious objection.

Photo of Oliver Heald Oliver Heald The Minister of State, Ministry of Justice

In England and Wales, euthanasia constitutes murder at common law (unless a partial defence applies to reduce the offence to manslaughter); and under section 2(1) of the Suicide Act 1961 it is an offence to do an act capable of encouraging or assisting the suicide or attempted suicide of another person, with the intention so to encourage or assist. Because euthanasia is illegal, the issue of a right to refuse euthanasia does not arise.

Does this answer the above question?

Yes0 people think so

No0 people think not

Would you like to ask a question like this yourself? Use our Freedom of Information site.