Medically Assisted Dying

As from 7 November 2021, in terms of the End of Life Choice Act 2019 (the “Act”) persons who have a terminal illness and who meet the criteria established in the Act have the option to lawfully request medical assistance to end their lives. The Act creates a lawful process for assisting eligible persons who decide to exercise such option.
 
There were two prior attempts to pass a Bill of this nature, one in 1995 and the other in 2003 but both never progressed beyond their first readings. There was high opposition to the passing of the Act and was preceded by a national referendum.
 
The Act is required to address and balance two competing interests namely, access to the right afforded by the Act and to provide appropriate safeguards to protect vulnerable persons against abuse of the Act. We outline some of the details here for your information...

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