[Euthanasia in UK #1] Progress of the Euthanasia Bill

[Euthanasia in UK #1] Progress of the Euthanasia Bill

This year June 20, 2025

A historic moment has arrived in the UK.

国会の外で結果を待つ支持者

The Euthanasia Bill is passed in the British House of Commons .

In fact , a bill was submitted once in 2014 , but was rejected in the House of Representatives (second session).

However, this time, it cleared committees and third readings and was finally approved by the House of Representatives, a moment of joy for long-time supporters of euthanasia.

The bill was submitted to the Diet on July 29, 2024 , and after about a year of deliberation, it was approved. It took a considerable amount of time, but we will introduce the process in a separate article.

It was a moment they had been waiting for so long...it seemed like they were overjoyed.

Four days after passing the House of Representatives, on June 24, 2025 , the bill was sent to the House of Peers (the upper house, equivalent to the House of Councillors in Japan), and the first round of deliberations on the bill began .

イギリスの法案成立プロセス

Now (as of November 14, 2025), the second round of deliberations has concluded and the bill is currently being scrutinized by a Senate committee (a small but elite group of representatives from each party) (yellow box).

https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3774

UK Parliament website URL

At the committee level , not only members of parliament but also domestic and international experts (doctors, palliative care physicians, nurses, lawyers, etc.), as well as doctors from overseas countries where euthanasia is legal , are invited to testify, and discussions are held in an open format (the discussions can be broadcast on TV and online, and can also be viewed in archives).

At the House of Commons committee level, representatives of the general public and the Euthanasia Association were also invited (to be introduced in a separate article).

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Below are the most recent Senate and committee deliberations .

You will be able to feel the overwhelming difference in how medical professionals in Japan and the UK (including Australia and New Zealand) view the final stages of life .

Bill Director, Rep. Kim Leadbeater

@kimleadbeater :

When the law concerns dying people, we must listen to them and their families.

They know better than anyone why change is needed -

Loved ones should never have to face grief and the fear of prosecution, and dying people should never be forced to suffer against their wishes .

Senate committee focuses discussion on palliative care issues

Around the world, assisted dying (euthanasia) and palliative care work hand in hand .

In all countries where assisted dying is legal, access to palliative care has improved, not declined.

Compassion and choice can coexist.

President of the British Palliative Care Association

Dr. Kyte, President of the Palliative Care Society:

"It's a great comfort to know that it's possible . My relatives in Australia told me that."

Many people who call for #AssistedDying internationally don't actually take advantage of it.

Just having options is a great comfort.

Palliative care physicians in New Zealand

Australian palliative care doctor invited to House of Representatives

"The overwhelming feedback from patients and their families was gratitude."

Dr Jean Snelling told the House of Lords Select Committee that New Zealand's experience with death with dignity shows that compassion, safety and choice can and do coexist in practice.

Honorary Consultant Physician in Palliative Medicine, UK

Professor Sam Ahmadzai:

Euthanasia can function alongside palliative care .

In other countries, it is often carried out at home, with the support of community and specialist services.

He emphasizes that both should proceed in tandem – to provide patients with timely, high-quality end-of-life options.

Statement by the Minister of Justice

Minister of Justice Sarah Sackman (KC, MP) :

"The current situation... effectively criminalizes actions that some might describe as compassionate , creating a harm that forces some people to take their own lives."

This bill seeks to address the harms of current law and decriminalise mercy .

Professor at the Royal College of Nursing

"When we get things wrong in healthcare, it's usually because we're being paternalistic ." Nicola Ranger, Royal College of Nursing

Safe options for dying people give power back to those with terminal illnesses and prevent the cruel harm of the status quo .

British sociologist and bioethicist

He has achondroplasia and uses a wheelchair .

" The vast majority of people with disabilities support assisted dying ."

Sir Tom Shakespeare said the bill was more compassionate and safer than the current law .

Evidence from countries where assisted dying is legal for terminally ill adults shows that these laws work safely .

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The Senate Committee session will soon conclude, and the bill will move on to the third session in the Senate plenary session.

It's probably safe to assume that a resolution will be reached by the end of the year.

Current Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also stated that he wants the bill to be passed by Christmas.

Japanese media tends to be lenient towards people and groups who oppose euthanasia , so this is unlikely to be reported extensively.

However, if the bill is passed, it will be big news and will be widely covered by media around the world.

So far, I believe things are progressing smoothly , so please be patient and wait for the latest news on euthanasia in the UK, a major power that has historically led Europe.

British Euthanasia Society (Dignity in Dying: DID)

Historic change is within reach.

The euthanasia bill passed a key vote in the House of Representatives and is now being considered in the Senate.

It is time for members of the House of Lords to respect the will of the people and deliver mercy .