Mac's Poll - Let's Vote

Left-wing independent party Podemos has opened a debate on the 'right to die with dignity' in Parliament for the first time ever.

The party is already lobbying the regional government of Madrid to convince the national government of the need to reform article 143.4 of the Penal Code, decriminalising assisted suicide.

“Those who, through necessary actions or active cooperation, assist the dignified and painless death of a person who expressly, freely and unequivocably requests it due to suffering from a serious illness or permanent and intolerable suffering, should be exempt from criminal charges,” is the text Podemos wants to include in the Penal Code.

“The right to a dignified life also includes the right to a dignified death,” Podemos says.

“Where the illness has no proven medical solution or is seriously incapacitating, and death is inevitable or suffering is extreme, public health services should guarantee that the last moments of life, and death itself, are dignified and without pain or suffering, using all scientific resources including the patient being kept in company and terminal sedation,” says spokesman for the party at regional level, José Manuel López. 

He says patients should be allowed to write a living will, have the necessary means provided to enable them to do so even in the peak of health, and that this should automatically be incorporated in the patient's medical records.

What is your view on this and do you think assisted suicide should be legal?  

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