NEWS AND COMMENT
BMA drops opposition to assisted dying
The UK’s largest professional body of doctors has voted to end its 15-year opposition to the legalisation of assisted dying. My Death, My Decision has welcomed the decision as a…
MDMD congratulates winner of 2021 Tony Nicklinson essay competition
Marking the ninth anniversary of Tony Nicklinson’s death, My Death, My Decision is pleased to announce the winner of this year's Tony Nicklinson memorial essay competition. Rees Johnson, a doctoral…
The right to die is the last great freedom still to be won, say expert panellists at online MDMD event
Hundreds of households joined My Death, My Decision’s panel event online on 21 July, to hear from Polly Toynbee, Dr Wendy Savage, Diane Munday, and Natika Haliland their fascinating discussion…
Citizens’ jury on assisted dying paves the way for legislation in Jersey, with majority backing reform
A panel of islanders has voted overwhelmingly in favour of changing the law on assisted dying in Jersey.
Assisted Dying Bill introduced to Scottish Parliament
A new Bill to legalise assisted dying has been lodged in the Scottish Parliament. Its backers include My Death, My Decision’s partners in the Assisted Dying Coalition – Humanist Society…
Paul Lamb, resolute assisted dying campaigner, has died aged 65
Paul Lamb, the incurably suffering campaigner well-known for challenging the law prohibiting assisted dying in England and Wales, has died at his home aged 65.
My Death, My Decision marks the death of assisted dying campaigner Noel Conway
Following the death of determined campaigner Noel Conway last week, My Death, My Decision offers condolences to his friends and family.
Assisted dying campaigner urges lawmakers not to forget the incurably suffering, as new Bill is introduced into the Lords
A new Bill that would allow doctors to prescribe lethal medication to patients with less than six months to live has been introduced in the House of Lords. My Death,…
Submissions invited: The Tony Nicklinson Memorial Prize
Submissions are invited for a new annual award, ‘The Tony Nicklinson Memorial Prize’ sponsored by My Death, My Decision. The prize (£500) is aimed at developing and fostering an interest…
Police fail to detect up to 30% of assisted deaths, new research finds
At least 3 in 10 people who travel to Switzerland for assisted deaths are unknown to the authorities, according to new research by the campaign group My Death, My Decision.…
50+ MPs and peers and MDMD patron Henry Marsh, after cancer diagnosis, call for assisted dying inquiry
Henry Marsh, a leading neurosurgeon and patron of My Death, My Decision, has called for an ‘essential’ inquiry into assisted dying. He has been prompted by a cancer diagnosis, and…
Spain legalises assisted dying
Spain is now the fourth European country to adopt an assisted dying law that permits a medically assisted death to those who are terminally ill or incurably suffering, after Switzerland,…
Human Rights Act review must not undermine fundamental freedoms, warns My Death, My Decision
My Death, My Decision has counselled against proposals to water down the Human Rights Act 1998, in response to a consultation from a review panel set up by the Government.
My Death, My Decision responds to Republic of Ireland’s Death with Dignity Bill consultation
My Death, My Decision has informed Irish lawmakers it strongly supports proposals to legalise assisted dying for the incurably suffering in Ireland. In response to a consultation on the Death…
MDMD calls for Northern Ireland’s Bill of Rights to include a right to die
My Death, My Decision has urged lawmakers in Northern Ireland to recognise a right to die, as part of the Assembly’s efforts to expand human rights protections.
Portugal’s Parliament passes assisted dying bill
Portuguese lawmakers have voted in support of legal assisted dying for the incurably suffering, making a change in the law one step closer to reality. My Death, My Decision has…
Covid-19 has exposed the need for a review of our assisted dying laws, says MDMD to parliamentary human rights committee
My Death, My Decision has responded to the Joint Committee on Human Rights’ review of Covid-19, by calling for an immediate review of the UK’s laws on assisted dying.
Jersey forges ahead with citizens’ jury on assisted dying
Jersey’s government is moving forward with plans to convene a citizens’ assembly on assisted dying, and has invited more than 4,000 residents to register their interest in taking part. The…
My Death, My Decision’s Chair responds to Ruth Davidson’s Telegraph column on assisted dying
The Sunday Telegraph has published a letter to the editor from My Death, My Decision’s Chair, Trevor Moore, in response to a column by Ruth Davidson.
Austrian court overturns ban on assisted dying
Austria’s constitutional court has ruled a ban on helping ‘seriously ill’ people ending their own lives is unconstitutional, in a landmark ruling which has been welcomed by My Death, My…