Dying in dignity – euthanasia
New rules about assisted suicide may be introduced in Germany in the near future.
A dignified death is the last wish of many terminally ill people. From the perspective of many of those concerned, it can be achieved by euthanasia. Active euthanasia is prohibited in Germany. It is not punishable, however, to supply patients with a deadly medicine that they then administer themselves. The same applies to assisted suicide. How the state should regulate euthanasia in the future was at the heart of a consultative debate on “end-of-life care” in the Bundestag in November 2014. Members of parliament discussed the subject – controversially, objectively and very emotionally – for four hours. Politicians of all parties expressed a hope that the number of hospices will be increased and palliative care improved. Many also agreed that updating the law on this subject will be “perhaps the most demanding project of this parliament”, as Bundestag President Norbert Lammert put it. A vote is to take place in 2015.
