In 1957 Judge Dvlin noted that causing death to a patient through the administration of a lethal drug that was administered solely to relieve pain where death is inevitable or a likely outcome is not considered murder. (Dr John Boden Adams)
Under the 1961 Suicide Sct it is a criminal offence punishable with up to 14 years imprisonment to assist, aid or counsel someone in relation to taking their own life. The authorities may nevertheless decide not to prosecute taking into account all of the circumstances.
In September 2009 the Director of Public Prosecutuions was forced by an appeal to the House Of Lords to make public the criteria that influences whether a person is prosecuted or not . The factors put a large emphasis on whether the person knew the person who died and on the death being a one off occurrence.
Australia
Euthanasia is now illegal in Australia although it was once made legal by the Terminally Ill Act 1995. These laws were overridden by the 1997 euthanasia Law Act. Exit international are constantly campaiging for changes but television adverts were banned before they were aired.
Belgium
The Belgian Parliament legalised euthanasia an September 2010. A survey has revealed that those that chose euthanasia were mostly young men with incurable cancer and suffering unbearably.
Canada
In Canada Passive euthanasia and living wills are a legal dilemma.
Ireland
Active euthanasia is illegal. It is not however illegal to remove life support machines or other treatments should the patient or next of kin request it. Therefore passive euthanasia is legal. In opinion Polls recently 57% of people believed that physician assisted suicides should be legal. This is despite a significant number of the country’s citizens being Catholic.
Israel
Jewish law forbids the causing of death of another or the shortening of life .
Iraeli Penal law also forbids the killing of another or shortening of life, however passive euthanasia has now been accepted in some cases. Active euthanasia is illegal. In 2006 The Steinberg Committee was set up to rethink whether life or death situations could be rethought in the context of Jewish law . This was a govt response to pressure groups campaigning for this .
Japan
Although officially Japan has no laws on the status of euthanasia it is understood that in two cases one for passive euthanasia and one for active euthanasia it was approved.
These rulings were not however upheld at National level.
Japan has at present put forward a tentative framework for legalising and implementing euthanasia. As Japan is a Buddhist country where the elderly and their views are held in high esteem , as well as the religious teachings of compassion and dignity being part of a Buddhist philosophy this has influenced the law in Japan to allow euthanasia.
Mexico
Passive euthanasia is legal and in2007 an initiative decriminalising acive euthanasia entered the senate.
Columbia
In 2010 a court ruled that a person taking the life of a terminally ill person cannot be convicted. Thus legalising active voluntary euthanasia.
However the court specifically ruled that this did not apply to degenerative diseases like Parkinson’s or Alzheimers.
These changes were made as a result of public pressure for change.
Netherlands
Active Euthanasia is legal since 2002., as is assisted suicide inspecific cases under special circumstances.
There have been claims that since 200 when it was rule that it was no longer possible to prosecute a doctor for carrying out active euthanasia the system has been abused.
New Zealand
Euthanasia is illegal in New Zealand.
Norway
Although euthanasia is still illegal here, there are some instances where a care giver may receive a reduced sentence. There have been several strong attempts to legalise euthanasia but they have so far failed.
Switzerland
In Switzerland lethal drugs may be prescribed to a person where the recipient takes an active role in the administration. Assisting suicide is therefore legal.
Turkey
In Turkey euthanasia is strictly forbidden. Criminal law prosecution for any one aiding suicide is life imprisonment, just as it is for a murder.
Turkey’s law on euthanasia are a direct reflection of the beliefs of the majority
Of Turkey’s population . As it is a Muslim country and Muslims believe that it is a sin to take one’s own life as God granted that life only he should take it. It follows that they would be totally opposed to the idea of euthanasia.
United States
Active euthanasia is illegal in most states of the U.S .
Patients have the right to refuse medical treatment, or choose pain management that will hasten their death therefore passive euthanasia is legal.
Assisted suicide is legal in Washington Oregon and Montana.
It can be clearly seen that in some countries religious influences are very strong and directly impact on the laws relating to euthanasia. For example Turkey is a Muslim country and Islam does not permit suicide or euthanasia . The laws in that country reflect the religion of the majority and treat euthanasia as they would murder ,punishable by life imprisonment.
In Israel euthanasia is illegal and according to Jewish laws not accepted at all as it is against the teachings of Juddaism. However there has been a movement towards more lenient views under certain circumstances in Israeli law.
.
