Clarity due on assisted suicide


More than 100 Britons have gone to Dignitas to die

Guidelines on assisted suicide law in England and Wales will be published later to clarify when people are likely to be prosecuted. It is currently illegal to help someone commit suicide, but as yet no-one has been prosecuted for helping a person go abroad to end their life.
The Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer QC has drawn up the guidance following a Law Lords ruling.
He has already said it will not mean assisted suicide will become legal.
Instead, he has said he wants to set out when individuals are more likely to be prosecuted or not prosecuted.
"Again let me make it clear: this debate is not about legalizing euthanasia. If an individual directly causes the death of another, the appropriate charge is murder or manslaughter," Mr Starmer wrote in the Daily Telegraph.
He added: "So the critical question I have considered is this: what are the circumstances in which it is or is not in the public interest to prosecute a person against whom there is enough evidence to support the criminal offence of assisted suicide?"

We hope no-one will be given immunity


Peter Saunders, of Care Not Killing



Staying positive amid suicide bid

More than 100 Britons with terminal or incurable illnesses have gone to the Swiss centre Dignitas to die.
Several of the cases have been looked into by police, but none has led to a prosecution because the authorities have the power to use their discretion.
But earlier this year, Law Lords said Debbie Purdy, a multiple sclerosis sufferer from Bradford, had the right to know whether her husband Omar Puente would be prosecuted if he helped her travel abroad to die.
Earlier this week Mr Starmer said factors that would be considered in a prosecution would be whether the person stood to benefit financially from the death and whether they had encouraged the suicide.
Sarah Wootton, chief executive of the Dignity in Dying campaign group, said more clarity was needed.
"We expect the criteria to more clearly distinguish between compassionate and malicious acts and in doing so better reflect public opinion and provide a clearer deterrent against abuse.
"This will represent a significant breakthrough in our campaign for greater choice and control at the end of life."

On top of all the physical and emotional problems, there's this uncertainty


David Witt
Helped wife's suicide

But Dr Peter Saunders, of Care Not Killing, an umbrella group of doctors, religious organisations and charities, said it was a shame the DPP had been forced into this as the current situation was "working well".
"We hope no-one will be given immunity. It is only right that each case is looked into as this acts as an effective deterrent and protects the vulnerable.
"There is also a danger that the DPP will become a consultancy service for law breakers."
Lung cancer sufferer Elaine Witt died aged 56 in August 2007, having gone to Switzerland with husband David, 64.
Mr Witt, from Tonbridge in Kent, said that despite the threat of prosecution, his over-riding concern had been to accommodate his wife's wishes.
Prison sentence
But he said: "[The guidelines] would have helped us a lot. On top of all the physical and emotional problems, there's this uncertainty. You can't tell people what you're thinking."
However, he raised fears the situation could result in a "half-way house" of guidance without safeguards, such as requiring recorded consent and agreement of doctors.
The government could go further and allow assisted suicide for terminally ill patients in the UK, he added.
Anyone assisting someone to commit suicide can face up to 14 years in prison under the 1961 Suicide Act, which covers England and Wales.
A similar law applies in Northern Ireland and fresh guidance is also expected.
In Scotland there is some uncertainty as there is no specific law on assisted suicide, although in theory someone could be prosecuted under homicide law.
A bill is expected to come before the Scottish parliament soon in a bid to legalise assisted suicide.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8268709.stm