Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Go north for the legal right to die

Thursday 25 May 1995 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Canberra (Reuter) - Australia's Northern Territory passed a law yesterday allowing voluntary euthanasia, making it only the third place in the world to sanction the right to die.

The law means that terminally ill patients who meet strict guidelines could end their lives with medical assistance. Two doctors are required to assess the patient's state and one has to have a diploma in psychological medicine.

Voluntary euthanasia is technically illegal in the Netherlands, but authorities have issued guidelines under which prosecutions will not be mounted. In Oregon in the United States, a law enacted by referendum is on hold pending legal challenge.

The Rights of the Terminally Ill Bill was passed by 15 votes to 10 in the Northern Territory's parliament after its sponsor, Marshall Perron, the Chief Minister, resigned to smooth its passage.

Mr Perron, whose mother died an agonising death last year, said the bill's passage was the highlight of his career and he hoped other Australian states would follow suit. Australia's federal Attorney General, Michael Lavarch, said other states might now look at adopting voluntary euthanasia. But anti-euthanasia activists said it was one of the most tragic days in Australian history.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in