Dutch pro-euthanasia lobby gathers signatures to legalise assistance of killing those who are 'tired of living'

16th February 2010

Assisting in a suicide of another person has been legal in the Netherlands for more than 20 years and the Dutch experience is repeatedly cited as the way forward in the UK. However, time and again reports show abuses of the Dutch law.

Dutch Penal Code Articles 293 and 294 make both euthanasia and assisted suicide illegal. However, as a result of various court cases, Doctors who directly kill patients or help patients kill themselves will not be prosecuted as long as they follow certain guidelines.
(Click here to read the guidelines)

Since 1981, the guidelines controlling assisted suicide have been interpreted by the Dutch Courts and Royal Dutch Medical Association in ever-broadening terms. the rest