France’s National Assembly on Wednesday (Jul 16) gave final approval for a landmark assisted dying bill. The move comes after years-long debate in the country over allowing adults with incurable illnesses to receive lethal medication. The legislation was passed by 291 votes to 241, but it will not come into force immediately as it must first undergo a constitutional review.The bill would allow certain adults suffering from incurable and life-threatening illnesses to access lethal medication under strict legal and medical safeguards. Most eligible patients would be required to self-administer the medication, while medical assistance would only be permitted if a patient is physically unable to do so.French President Emmanuel Macron, who announced the legislation over three years ago, welcomed the parliamentary approval, saying it fulfilled a commitment made during his 2022 presidential campaign.“In 2022, I committed to opening this path with the French people,” Macron said in a post on X. “With seriousness, with humility, and with full respect for our democracy, that commitment has been fulfilled.”Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-knesset-election-2026-biggest-challenges-threatening-netanyahu-s-political-future-1783941462361">Israel Knesset election 2026: Biggest challenges threatening Netanyahu’s political future</a>To qualify, applicants must be at least 18 years old and either French citizens or legal residents. A medical team must confirm that the individual has an advanced or terminal illness causing unbearable suffering that cannot be adequately relieved. The request must be made voluntarily, and psychological suffering alone will not qualify. People with severe psychiatric conditions or diseases such as Alzheimer’s are excluded.The proposal also establishes a multi-step approval process. Doctors must review each application within 15 days, followed by a mandatory reflection period before the patient can proceed. The medication may be taken at home or in a healthcare facility, with medical professionals remaining nearby in case of complications. The treatment would be fully covered by France’s public health insurance.Although France’s Senate rejected the proposal, the National Assembly had the constitutional authority to make the final decision. The Constitutional Council will now determine whether the legislation complies with France’s Constitution before it can officially become law. The decision is expected within a month, making it the final hurdle before implementation.Watch | France's far-right leader Marine Le Pen launches presidential bid despite double-conviction<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/france-s-far-right-leader-marine-le-pen-launches-presidential-bid-despite-double-conviction-1783528035575/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/france-s-far-right-leader-marine-le-pen-launches-presidential-bid-despite-double-conviction-1783528035575/embed</a>&nbsp;

France's National Assembly has approved an assisted-dying bill for terminally ill adults under strict conditions. The legislation now awaits a Constitutional Council review before becoming law.

France’s National Assembly on Wednesday (Jul 16) gave final approval for a landmark assisted dying bill. The move comes after years-long debate in the country over allowing adults with incurable illnesses to receive lethal medication. The legislation was passed by 291 votes to 241, but it will not come into force immediately as it must first undergo a constitutional review. The bill would allow certain adults suffering from incurable and life-threatening illnesses to access lethal medication under strict legal and medical safeguards. Most eligible patients would be required to self-administer the medication, while medical assistance would only be permitted if a patient is physically unable to do so. French President Emmanuel Macron, who announced the legislation over three years ago, welcomed the parliamentary approval, saying it fulfilled a commitment made during his 2022 presidential campaign. “In 2022, I committed to opening this path with the French people,” Macron said in a post on X. “With seriousness, with humility, and with full respect for our democracy, that commitment has been fulfilled.” Also read | Israel Knesset election 2026: Biggest challenges threatening Netanyahu’s political future To qualify, applicants must be at least 18 years old and either French citizens or legal residents. A medical team must confirm that the individual has an advanced or terminal illness causing unbearable suffering that cannot be adequately relieved. The request must be made voluntarily, and psychological suffering alone will not qualify. People with severe psychiatric conditions or diseases such as Alzheimer’s are excluded. The proposal also establishes a multi-step approval process. Doctors must review each application within 15 days, followed by a mandatory reflection period before the patient can proceed. The medication may be taken at home or in a healthcare facility, with medical professionals remaining nearby in case of complications. The treatment would be fully covered by France’s public health insurance. Although France’s Senate rejected the proposal, the National Assembly had the constitutional authority to make the final decision. The Constitutional Council will now determine whether the legislation complies with France’s Constitution before it can officially become law. The decision is expected within a month, making it the final hurdle before implementation. Watch | France's far-right leader Marine Le Pen launches presidential bid despite double-conviction https://www.wionews.com/videos/france-s-far-right-leader-marine-le-pen-launches-presidential-bid-despite-double-conviction-1783528035575/embed

France's National Assembly has approved an assisted-dying bill for terminally ill adults under strict conditions. The legislation now awaits a Constitutional Council review before becoming law.

France’s National Assembly approves controversial assisted-dying bill – All about the legislation

Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult life experiences most of us are cursed to bear. In the United Kingdom, a physically healthy mother who buried her son four years ago has chosen to 'Die With A Smile' at an assisted suicide clinic in Switzerland to escape the pain. 56-year-old Wendy Duffy was forced to choose Switzerland, where assisted suicide is legal, as a hotly debated right-to-die bill has remained stalled in the UK parliament for the last year. This is her story.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-weird-stuff-happens-us-navy-sailor-headed-to-strait-of-hormuz-for-trump-s-minesweeping-mission-attacked-by-monkey-1777009414675">'Weird stuff happens': Monkey temporarily derails Trump's 'shoot and kill' mission in Strait of Hormuz</a><h2>Who is Wendy Duffy?</h2>Wendy Duffy, 56, lost her son to a freak choking incident four years ago. Her son, Marcus, died at the age of 23 after choking on a tomato that got lodged in his windpipe while he was sleeping. Following his death, Wendy tried to commit suicide by overdosing, but ended up on a ventilator for two weeks.She says that ultimately no amount of medication or therapy could help make her feel whole again and that she "can't wait" to die. According to the New York Post, this time she wants her death to be "neater"."I could step off a motorway bridge or a tower block, but that would leave anyone finding me dealing with that for the rest of their lives," she said.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/-profiting-off-righteous-operation-how-an-army-soldier-used-secret-war-plans-about-maduro-s-capture-to-make-400-000-on-polymarket-1776993168140">'Profiting off righteous operation': How an army soldier used secret war plans about Maduro's capture to make $400,000 on Polymarket</a><h2>'Die With A Smile': How much did Wendy Duffy pay for dying?</h2>Wendy's application for euthanasia was accepted by Pegasos, a Swiss assisted-dying nonprofit organisation. She will pay $13,500 to euthanise herself under its care.The grieving mother revealed that she has already decided what she will wear to her deathbed. Talking to Daily Mail, she revealed that Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ "Die With A Smile" will be playing as she passes on. She acknowledged that it will be difficult to bid goodbye to her siblings, four sisters and two brothers. But, she said that she will call them when she gets to Switzerland. "It will be a hard call where I’ll say goodbye and thank them. But they will get it. They know. Honestly, 100%, they know that I’m not happy, that I don’t want to be here," she said.<h2>Blast from the past?</h2>Wendy's decision to die despite being healthy has brought back memories of Noella Castillo, a healthy 5-year-old sexual gang rape victim. Castillo's death by assisted suicide in Spain last month had sparked an international uproar, with the Donald trump administration ordering the US Embassy in Madrid to open an investigation into Spanish law enforcement's handling of the brutal sexual assault against her.&nbsp;If you or someone you know wants help for mental well being, don't hesitate to talk to a professional. Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, 98204 66726, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata), Parivarthan (Bangalore) +91 76766 02602WION is not associated with any of these organisations and does not make any recommendations

Wendy Duffy, a 56-year-old mother from the UK, has chosen to undergo euthanasia. Here’s the part that makes this case so controversial: she is not terminally ill. Why is she choosing to die by suicide? All you need to know.

Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult life experiences most of us are cursed to bear. In the United Kingdom, a physically healthy mother who buried her son four years ago has chosen to 'Die With A Smile' at an assisted suicide clinic in Switzerland to escape the pain. 56-year-old Wendy Duffy was forced to choose Switzerland, where assisted suicide is legal, as a hotly debated right-to-die bill has remained stalled in the UK parliament for the last year. This is her story. Also read | 'Weird stuff happens': Monkey temporarily derails Trump's 'shoot and kill' mission in Strait of Hormuz Who is Wendy Duffy? Wendy Duffy, 56, lost her son to a freak choking incident four years ago. Her son, Marcus, died at the age of 23 after choking on a tomato that got lodged in his windpipe while he was sleeping. Following his death, Wendy tried to commit suicide by overdosing, but ended up on a ventilator for two weeks. She says that ultimately no amount of medication or therapy could help make her feel whole again and that she "can't wait" to die. According to the New York Post, this time she wants her death to be "neater". "I could step off a motorway bridge or a tower block, but that would leave anyone finding me dealing with that for the rest of their lives," she said. Also read | 'Profiting off righteous operation': How an army soldier used secret war plans about Maduro's capture to make $400,000 on Polymarket 'Die With A Smile': How much did Wendy Duffy pay for dying? Wendy's application for euthanasia was accepted by Pegasos, a Swiss assisted-dying nonprofit organisation. She will pay $13,500 to euthanise herself under its care. The grieving mother revealed that she has already decided what she will wear to her deathbed. Talking to Daily Mail, she revealed that Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ "Die With A Smile" will be playing as she passes on. She acknowledged that it will be difficult to bid goodbye to her siblings, four sisters and two brothers. But, she said that she will call them when she gets to Switzerland. "It will be a hard call where I’ll say goodbye and thank them. But they will get it. They know. Honestly, 100%, they know that I’m not happy, that I don’t want to be here," she said. Blast from the past? Wendy's decision to die despite being healthy has brought back memories of Noella Castillo, a healthy 5-year-old sexual gang rape victim. Castillo's death by assisted suicide in Spain last month had sparked an international uproar, with the Donald trump administration ordering the US Embassy in Madrid to open an investigation into Spanish law enforcement's handling of the brutal sexual assault against her. If you or someone you know wants help for mental well being, don't hesitate to talk to a professional. Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, 98204 66726, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata), Parivarthan (Bangalore) +91 76766 02602 WION is not associated with any of these organisations and does not make any recommendations

Wendy Duffy, a 56-year-old mother from the UK, has chosen to undergo euthanasia. Here’s the part that makes this case so controversial: she is not terminally ill. Why is she choosing to die by suicide? All you need to know.

'Die with a smile': Healthy UK mother chooses assisted suicide due to THIS heartbreaking reason

A proposed bill to allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales to choose to end their lives stalled on Friday after running out of parliamentary time in the House of Lords, nearly a year after it secured backing in the House of Commons.&nbsp;&nbsp;Supporters had hoped the Terminally Ill Adults Bill would mark one of the most significant social policy changes in the United Kingdom since abortion was partially legalised in 1967, but progress has been slowed by sustained opposition in the upper chamber.&nbsp;Opponents have tabled more than 1,200 amendments, significantly delaying the bill’s passage. The legislation, introduced by a backbench MP, faces additional constraints as such bills are typically debated on Fridays, limiting available time for discussion.&nbsp;&nbsp;The bill now has no prospect of becoming law during this parliament's current session, which is set to end next week.&nbsp;Globally, the legal landscape on assisted dying continues to evolve, with several countries adopting national frameworks. Nations such as Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg permit forms of euthanasia or assisted dying, while Switzerland allows assisted suicide under specific conditions.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="http://wionews.com/world/india-tops-global-heat-charts-with-19-of-20-hottest-cities-imd-warns-of-continued-heatwave-1777039826160">India tops global heat charts with 19 of 20 hottest cities, IMD warns of continued heatwave</a>&nbsp;In the Asia Pacific region, New Zealand and all six Australian states have enacted voluntary assisted dying laws.&nbsp;In the Americas, Canada operates a medical assistance in dying programme, and Colombia permits the practice under legal oversight.

The bill now has no prospect of becoming law during this parliament's current session, which is set to end next week.

A proposed bill to allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales to choose to end their lives stalled on Friday after running out of parliamentary time in the House of Lords, nearly a year after it secured backing in the House of Commons. Supporters had hoped the Terminally Ill Adults Bill would mark one of the most significant social policy changes in the United Kingdom since abortion was partially legalised in 1967, but progress has been slowed by sustained opposition in the upper chamber. Opponents have tabled more than 1,200 amendments, significantly delaying the bill’s passage. The legislation, introduced by a backbench MP, faces additional constraints as such bills are typically debated on Fridays, limiting available time for discussion. The bill now has no prospect of becoming law during this parliament's current session, which is set to end next week. Globally, the legal landscape on assisted dying continues to evolve, with several countries adopting national frameworks. Nations such as Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg permit forms of euthanasia or assisted dying, while Switzerland allows assisted suicide under specific conditions. Also Read: India tops global heat charts with 19 of 20 hottest cities, IMD warns of continued heatwave In the Asia Pacific region, New Zealand and all six Australian states have enacted voluntary assisted dying laws. In the Americas, Canada operates a medical assistance in dying programme, and Colombia permits the practice under legal oversight.

The bill now has no prospect of becoming law during this parliament's current session, which is set to end next week.

England and Wales assisted dying bill fails in upper house as time runs out

Britain made a historic move towards legalising euthanasia on Friday (June 20) as Members of Parliament (MPs) supported a contentious bill that would enact assisted dying for those who are terminally ill. Members of Parliament voted 314 to 291 in the House of Commons to send the proposal to the House of Lords for further review, after four hours of tearful debate. The vote sparked jubilation among supporters who had rallied outside Parliament, saying they believed that legalising euthanasia would provide choice and dignity for individuals with incurable illnesses near the end of their lives. Meanwhile, protesters at a counter-demonstration outside offered concerns that vulnerable patients might be coerced into taking the option of death and urged lawmakers to focus instead on enhancing palliative care. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill would permit assisted suicide in England and Wales for terminally ill adults with less than six months to live. Individuals would have to administer the life-ending drug themselves, and their choice would have to be approved by two doctors and an expert panel. If enacted, the bill would align Britain with a number of European and other countries — including Belgium and the Netherlands — that have already legalized some aspect of assisted dying.&nbsp;Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, who introduced the bill, said in Friday's third reading debate that amending the law would "provide a compassionate and safe option" for terminally ill individuals. She contended that maintaining the existing prohibition would lead to additional "heartbreaking stories" of "pain and trauma, suicide attempts, PTSD, lonely journeys to Switzerland, (and) police investigations." Labour MP Vicky Foxcroft, however, had concerns that the bill lacked robust enough measures to safeguard disabled people. We need to safeguard these individuals who are vulnerable to coercion, who already feel that society doesn't care for them, who too often feel like a burden to the state, to society and to their family," she said. Outside Parliament, protesters carried signs reading "Let us choose" and "Don't make doctors killers. David Walker, 82, testified about his own experience of advocating for the bill after he watched his wife struggle for three years at the end of her life.&nbsp; "That's why I'm here, because I can't help her anymore, but I can help other people who are going through the same thing, because if you have no quality of life, you have nothing," he was quoted saying to AFP. &nbsp;But physician Elizabeth Burden, aged 52, cautioned that the bill could create a "slippery slope" that would open assisted dying to more and more people. "Once we open the door for this. Everything will slide down because dementia patients, all patients. are vulnerable," she was quoted saying to AFP. MPs had originally supported an earlier draft of the bill in November by 330 votes to 275. There have been a number of changes since then, such as a prohibition on advertising assisted dying and measures to permit all healthcare professionals to opt out of involvement. Legislators also included a provision to rule out eligibility "alone because of abstaining from eating or drinking, voluntarily," essentially excluding instances such as individuals with anorexia. Britain's medical establishment is still divided, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer's cabinet is also divided. His health and justice secretaries have also come out publicly against the bill. But support for it is high among the public. A YouGov survey of 2,003 adults, carried out in the last month and released on Thursday, revealed that 73 per cent of those polled backed the establishment of an assisted dying law. The legislation is now passed to the House of Lords, which has to rubber-stamp the law by the end of the current parliamentary session, possibly in the autumn, or else it will expire. If enacted and passed royal assent, the legislation would take some four years to come into effect before assisted dying services would be available. An estimate this month by a government impact assessment put the number of assisted deaths in the first year at 160 to 640, which could reach 4,500 in a decade. &nbsp;Assisted suicide is presently outlawed in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with a maximum sentence of 14 years. At the same time, another assisted dying bill is making its way through the devolved Scottish Parliament. In March, the Isle of Man became the first British region to approve an assisted dying bill.

UKs assisted dying bill soon to be reality MPs give nod if passed from House of Lords what would it mean

Britain made a historic move towards legalising euthanasia on Friday (June 20) as Members of Parliament (MPs) supported a contentious bill that would enact assisted dying for those who are terminally ill. Members of Parliament voted 314 to 291 in the House of Commons to send the proposal to the House of Lords for further review, after four hours of tearful debate. The vote sparked jubilation among supporters who had rallied outside Parliament, saying they believed that legalising euthanasia would provide choice and dignity for individuals with incurable illnesses near the end of their lives. Meanwhile, protesters at a counter-demonstration outside offered concerns that vulnerable patients might be coerced into taking the option of death and urged lawmakers to focus instead on enhancing palliative care. The Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill would permit assisted suicide in England and Wales for terminally ill adults with less than six months to live. Individuals would have to administer the life-ending drug themselves, and their choice would have to be approved by two doctors and an expert panel. If enacted, the bill would align Britain with a number of European and other countries — including Belgium and the Netherlands — that have already legalized some aspect of assisted dying. Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, who introduced the bill, said in Friday's third reading debate that amending the law would "provide a compassionate and safe option" for terminally ill individuals. She contended that maintaining the existing prohibition would lead to additional "heartbreaking stories" of "pain and trauma, suicide attempts, PTSD, lonely journeys to Switzerland, (and) police investigations." Labour MP Vicky Foxcroft, however, had concerns that the bill lacked robust enough measures to safeguard disabled people. We need to safeguard these individuals who are vulnerable to coercion, who already feel that society doesn't care for them, who too often feel like a burden to the state, to society and to their family," she said. Outside Parliament, protesters carried signs reading "Let us choose" and "Don't make doctors killers. David Walker, 82, testified about his own experience of advocating for the bill after he watched his wife struggle for three years at the end of her life. "That's why I'm here, because I can't help her anymore, but I can help other people who are going through the same thing, because if you have no quality of life, you have nothing," he was quoted saying to AFP. But physician Elizabeth Burden, aged 52, cautioned that the bill could create a "slippery slope" that would open assisted dying to more and more people. "Once we open the door for this. Everything will slide down because dementia patients, all patients. are vulnerable," she was quoted saying to AFP. MPs had originally supported an earlier draft of the bill in November by 330 votes to 275. There have been a number of changes since then, such as a prohibition on advertising assisted dying and measures to permit all healthcare professionals to opt out of involvement. Legislators also included a provision to rule out eligibility "alone because of abstaining from eating or drinking, voluntarily," essentially excluding instances such as individuals with anorexia. Britain's medical establishment is still divided, and Prime Minister Keir Starmer's cabinet is also divided. His health and justice secretaries have also come out publicly against the bill. But support for it is high among the public. A YouGov survey of 2,003 adults, carried out in the last month and released on Thursday, revealed that 73 per cent of those polled backed the establishment of an assisted dying law. The legislation is now passed to the House of Lords, which has to rubber-stamp the law by the end of the current parliamentary session, possibly in the autumn, or else it will expire. If enacted and passed royal assent, the legislation would take some four years to come into effect before assisted dying services would be available. An estimate this month by a government impact assessment put the number of assisted deaths in the first year at 160 to 640, which could reach 4,500 in a decade. Assisted suicide is presently outlawed in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, with a maximum sentence of 14 years. At the same time, another assisted dying bill is making its way through the devolved Scottish Parliament. In March, the Isle of Man became the first British region to approve an assisted dying bill.

In the House of Commons, lawmakers voted 314 to 291 in favour of sending the proposal to the House of Lords for further consideration, following four hours of emotional debate

UK's assisted dying bill soon to be reality? MPs give nod, if passed from House of Lords, what would it mean

Lawmakers in Britain are debating divisive legislation on assisted dying for terminally ill patients ahead of what is expected to be a knife-edge vote of conscience. Watch in for more details!

UK Favors Assisted Dying Bill: Historic Step Towards Legalising Assisted Death In The UK

British lawmakers on Friday (Nov 29) voted in favour of the controversial assisted-dying bill for England and Wales, allowing the legislation to move to the next stage of parliamentary scrutiny.&nbsp;

UK MPs voted by 330 to 275 in support of legalised euthanasia in the first vote in the House of Commons for nearly a decade.

The vote came after a fierce debate where lawmakers were deciding whether or not to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill patients, a contentious proposal that would make the United Kingdom one of the countries to allow terminally ill people to end their lives.&nbsp;

UK parliament began a second reading of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) bill on Friday, for assessing whether mentally competent adults with an incurable illness and who have a life expectancy of less than six months should be allowed to end their lives with medical help.&nbsp;

Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, who proposed the measure, opened the debate in Westminster, saying that changing the law would give terminally ill people “choice, autonomy, and dignity at the end of their lives”.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/end-of-life-bill-all-you-need-to-know-about-uks-proposed-assisted-dying-legislation-775458">Also read:&nbsp;End of Life Bill: All you need to know about UK's proposed assisted dying legislation</a>

“Let’s be clear, we’re not talking about a choice between life or death, we are talking about giving dying people a choice about how to die,” Leadbeater said.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Conservative MP Danny Kruger, who is leading opposition to the bill, labelled it as “too big” and “too flawed” to pass.

Watch |&nbsp;UK: Assisted Dying Bill | What Does It Say?

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If passed, Britain will be added to the list of countries that have allowed assisted dying in some form, including Canada, New Zealand, Spain and most of Australia.&nbsp;

The Members of Parliament in the UK have been given a free vote on the issue, which means that they can support either side according to their conscience, with no political ramifications.&nbsp;

“Parliament is tearing itself in two over this,” Rachael Maskell, a Labour MP and prominent opponent of the process, told CNN, adding, “MPs are showing signs of stress, having to make this decision in such a short time frame...It’s occupying everybody’s complete thoughts.”

(With inputs from agencies)

British lawmakers on Friday (Nov 29) voted in favour of the controversial assisted-dying bill for England and Wales, allowing the legislation to move to the next stage of parliamentary scrutiny.

British lawmakers on Friday (Nov 29) voted in favour of the controversial assisted-dying bill for England and Wales, allowing the legislation to move to the next stage of parliamentary scrutiny. UK MPs voted by 330 to 275 in support of legalised euthanasia in the first vote in the House of Commons for nearly a decade. The vote came after a fierce debate where lawmakers were deciding whether or not to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill patients, a contentious proposal that would make the United Kingdom one of the countries to allow terminally ill people to end their lives. UK parliament began a second reading of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) bill on Friday, for assessing whether mentally competent adults with an incurable illness and who have a life expectancy of less than six months should be allowed to end their lives with medical help. Labour MP Kim Leadbeater, who proposed the measure, opened the debate in Westminster, saying that changing the law would give terminally ill people “choice, autonomy, and dignity at the end of their lives”. Also read: End of Life Bill: All you need to know about UK's proposed assisted dying legislation “Let’s be clear, we’re not talking about a choice between life or death, we are talking about giving dying people a choice about how to die,” Leadbeater said. Meanwhile, Conservative MP Danny Kruger, who is leading opposition to the bill, labelled it as “too big” and “too flawed” to pass. Watch | UK: Assisted Dying Bill | What Does It Say? × If passed, Britain will be added to the list of countries that have allowed assisted dying in some form, including Canada, New Zealand, Spain and most of Australia. The Members of Parliament in the UK have been given a free vote on the issue, which means that they can support either side according to their conscience, with no political ramifications. “Parliament is tearing itself in two over this,” Rachael Maskell, a Labour MP and prominent opponent of the process, told CNN, adding, “MPs are showing signs of stress, having to make this decision in such a short time frame...It’s occupying everybody’s complete thoughts.” (With inputs from agencies)

British MPs vote in favour of assisted dying bill after fierce debate

In the United Kingdom, a polarising bill has split the governing labour party and the larger population. It is a proposed law allowing terminally ill adults in England and Wales to end their lives.

UK's Assisted Dying Bill Sparks Debate | GRAVITAS

A proposal to allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales the right to end their lives was introduced to parliament on Wednesday, setting off an emotional debate on an issue that polarises opinion. WION tells you more in this report.

Debate Over UK Assisted Dying Bill