[Euthanasia in Iceland #1] The current situation of euthanasia in Iceland - Attempts and interruptions to legislation regarding "death as self-determination" in the Nordic countries -
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[The current situation of euthanasia in Iceland - Attempts and interruptions to legislation regarding "death as self-determination" in the Nordic countries -]
I. Basic background of Iceland
Iceland is an island nation located in the North Atlantic Ocean in northwestern Europe. Most of the country is made up of glaciers and volcanic areas, and the habitable area is concentrated in a limited area, mainly along the coast.
Although the population is very small at approximately 380,000 , the country has high standards of education, medical care, and social security, and strongly possesses the characteristics of a Nordic welfare state.
In terms of religion, Protestant Christianity (Lutheranism) has historically been the majority. However, modern European society is becoming increasingly secularized, and the situations in which religious doctrine directly influences policy decisions are becoming more limited.
Same-sex marriage is already legally recognized, and values that respect individual freedom and self-determination are shared throughout society .
Such an environment can be said to foster thinking that values the dignity of the individual, not only in response to questions of "how to live" but also in response to questions of "how to end one's life."
II. March 2024: Submission of the Euthanasia Bill
On March 11, 2024, Iceland's first bill on euthanasia was officially introduced in the Parliament.
The bill was submitted by Katrin Sigríður J. Steinsdóttir, a member of parliament from the Progressive Party, which was the ruling party at the time.
This incident symbolized that the trend of respecting the "right to die" and "self-determined final moments" that was spreading throughout Europe had reached Iceland, a corner of Northern Europe.
III. The " Dutch Euthanasia System " as a Reference Model
One notable feature of this bill is its reference model.
The UK , Australia and some US states have adopted a physician-assisted suicide model known as the "Oregon model".
But in this method,
Life expectancy is limited to six months or less
- Non-terminal illnesses are not covered.
・Mental illnesses are not covered by the drug
- Multiple screening procedures lengthen the process.
There are strict conditions imposed.
In particular, in the UK, in addition to the doctor's judgment, confirmation by the High Court is expected, and due to the strictness of this system, it has been pointed out that there is a realistic possibility that the patient may die during the application process. In Spain and Australia, although systems exist, there have been reported cases where the response was not in time.
In Australia, in response to these issues, there is discussion about extending the target period from "six months to live" to "12 months to live."
In contrast, the Dutch model does not make a formal distinction between terminal and non-terminal , but instead focuses on the concept of "unbearable suffering" and has a structure in which medical and ethical review is completed within the system.
It is considered a more flexible and realistic system in that it places emphasis on substantial patient protection and self-determination.
The fact that Iceland's bill sought to reference the Dutch system can be said to have been a decision that accurately captured international trends.
IV. Reactions and Evaluations from the International Community
The bill has also attracted international attention, having been taken up by the World Federation of Right to Die Societies.
The Federation is a highly trusted international organization made up of euthanasia and dignified death organizations, legal scholars, ethicists, and medical professionals, including palliative care physicians, from around the world.
Furthermore, the 2026 World Conference is scheduled to be held in Japan, indicating that the debate over euthanasia is deepening on a global scale.
V. Bill suspended due to change of government (October 2024)
However, following a general election in October 2024, Iceland saw a change of government . As a result, the euthanasia bill was suspended midway through its deliberations and never reached a final vote.
In this regard, it is appropriate to understand that the legislative process was suspended due to political reasons, rather than the content of the system itself being rejected. Similar cases can be seen in France and other European countries.
Ⅵ. Future outlook and comprehensive evaluation
Across Europe, the trend towards a positive view of "death as self-determination" is no longer a passing phenomenon .
It seems that this value is steadily taking root in Icelandic society as well.
Unfortunately, there is no evidence that euthanasia has been legalized in Iceland after 2025. The bill introduced in 2024 remains on hold, and there is no information that official discussions have resumed.
Euthanasia and assisted suicide are still prohibited under current law.
However, there is still a strong possibility that another bill will be submitted or another form of legislative attempt will be made . This legislative attempt in a small Nordic country is by no means a localized event, but can be said to be an example that provides important insights for Europe as a whole, and even for Japanese society.