Assisted dying, an umbrella term for euthanasia, is a subject that stirs intense debate across Europe. While some countries have legalised it, allowing individuals to end their suffering on their own terms, others are still wrestling with the moral and ethical implications of such laws. In the last few decades, several European countries have taken bold steps to allow euthanasia, but each move has come with strict guidelines, public resistance, and religious pushback.
Netherlands
In 2002, the Netherlands became the first country in Europe to legalize active euthanasia, a law that permits doctors to assist terminally ill patients in ending their lives. Since then, the law has remained controversial, particularly as the number of people choosing to end their lives has steadily increased. The practice is tightly regulated, and physicians must ensure the patient's condition is irreversible and that their suffering is unbearable. Despite these safeguards, critics have voiced concerns over the rising numbers, warning that euthanasia could become a "default" option for those in distress, rather than the last resort.
Belgium
That same year, Belgium followed the Netherlands in legalising euthanasia. The law was groundbreaking, not only for adults but also for minors—making Belgium the first country to allow children to request assisted death under certain conditions. This expansion in 2014 was met with significant debate, with many questioning whether children should have the right to end their lives. Despite this, the law remains intact, reflecting the country's liberal stance on the issue.
Luxembourg
Luxembourg also decriminalized euthanasia in 2009, but with certain restrictions, including the need for parental consent when minors are involved. This highlights how even in countries that allow euthanasia, legal and social complexities continue to challenge its implementation.
Spain
In Spain, assisted dying was legalized in 2021 for patients suffering from terminal and incurable illnesses. The law has faced opposition from more conservative groups, especially given Spain's strong Catholic tradition. However, it marks a significant step for a country that, like many others in Europe, has grappled with the intersection of religion and personal choice when it comes to life and death.
Portugal
Portugal, another country with a deeply Catholic population, has seen an ongoing struggle over euthanasia. The Portuguese parliament approved legislation to decriminalise euthanasia several times, only for the conservative president to veto the bills. In 2023, the government made another push, but it’s still unclear when, or if, the law will take effect.
Switzerland
Lastly, Switzerland, though it does not allow active euthanasia, has become a popular destination for "suicide tourism," where patients from around the world travel to the country to legally end their lives with the help of doctors. Assisted suicide has been legal in Switzerland since 1942, but the country remains an outlier in Europe, with many questioning why a distinction is made between active euthanasia and assisted suicide.
Despite the progress in some countries, the debate over euthanasia remains contentious. The Catholic Church’s influence in nations like Italy and Ireland, along with strong conservative opposition, has kept the issue off the legislative agenda for years. As more people turn to assisted dying as a means to end their suffering, the conversation is far from over, and European lawmakers are likely to continue grappling with the moral and legal complexities surrounding the right to die.
