AKEL proposes law for euthanasia

According to Kathimerini's Hector Georgiou, last Friday, October 18, 2024, AKEL Deputy Irini Charalambidou held a press conference to outline her proposal for a law titled “On Medically Assisted Termination of Life.” The proposed legislation aims to establish guidelines for patients suffering from terminal illnesses to legally end their lives humanely.

Charalambidou emphasized that the decision to terminate life must be made solely by the patient, without external influence. Under the proposal, patients must undergo evaluations by medical boards to ensure their choice is not driven by psychological distress. The legislation is designed for individuals over 18 years old.

Regarding medical professionals, those who do not wish to participate in euthanasia will have the option to decline. A registry of doctors willing to assist in medically assisted terminations will also be created.

Global Context

In her presentation, Charalambidou shared insights from a request made to the European Centre for Parliamentary Research and Documentation. Out of 29 countries that responded, 12 have established legal frameworks for euthanasia, while England, France, Ireland, and Slovenia are currently debating similar legislation.

Public Opinion Survey

A survey conducted by IMR in March 2022 for the Cyprus National Bioethics Committee revealed public attitudes towards euthanasia. Respondents were asked if they agreed that people have the right to choose death through euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide. Results showed that 39% agreed, 22% somewhat agreed, 17% were neutral, 9% somewhat disagreed, and 13% disagreed.

Conditions for Medically Assisted Termination

The proposed law outlines specific criteria that must be met for a terminally ill patient to qualify for medically assisted termination:

1. The patient must be at least 18 years old.
2. They must be a Cypriot citizen or a resident of areas controlled by the Republic of Cyprus.
3. The patient must not be mentally ill or declared incapacitated under relevant laws.
4. A terminal illness must be confirmed by their attending physician, with life expectancy not exceeding six months.
5. The patient must verbally express their wish for termination at least twice, spaced at least 15 days apart, followed by a written declaration witnessed by two individuals.
6. The attending physician must ensure the patient is aware of all available support and care services.
7. If the patient is married or has close relatives, these individuals must be informed of the patient’s decision.

Opposition from the Church

The proposal has faced opposition, particularly from the Church. Father George Christodoulou, Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod, reiterated the Church’s stance against euthanasia, labeling it a form of assisted suicide or murder, depending on the circumstances. He emphasized that discussions about death inherently challenge the principle of life.

Legislative Timeline

The bill is set to be debated in the Human Rights Committee in the coming months, with expectations for it to be presented to the full Parliament in 2025.