New Zealand clears way for euthanasia vote

NEW ZEALAND lawmakers passed a bill yesterday that would legalise euthanasia, paving the way for the public to vote on the issue in a referendum next year.

The bill, which enables terminally ill people to request a medically assisted death, was passed 69-51 in parliament, after several amendments and years of heated debate.

Previous attempts by lawmakers to legalise euthanasia have failed, and when the bill was introduced in parliament again in 2017 it was met with concerns, including the vulnerability of the elderly to being coerced to die.

The bill has since been amended with what its sponsors say are safeguards, including a requirement that patients be diagnosed as having less than six months left to live.

The patient must be the first to suggest assisted dying, and two doctors must agree that the patient is well-informed and other legal criteria are met.

The lawmaker behind the bill, David Seymour of the libertarian ACT Party, said people who are genuinely concerned have nothing to fear as there are robust safeguards in place. “It is entirely about choice. Just as their rights and choices are respected, they will also need to respect the choices of others,” Seymour said.

The fate of the law rests in the hands of New Zealanders who will vote in a referendum at the general election which must be held by next November. The public will also vote over whether to legalise recreational cannabis.

Recent polls have indicated that a majority support the measure to legalise euthanasia. However, there has been strong resistance from faithbased organisations, some medical professionals and others.