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Assisted dying around the world

Around 300 million people around the world have legal access to assisted dying, ensuring dying people do not suffer against their wishes. These laws have functioned safely and effectively for decades. No law has ever been repealed.

Different models for assisted dying

Terminal illness

Only people who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness can access assisted dying.

Unbearable suffering

People who are experiencing unbearable suffering can access assisted dying. They do not have to be terminally ill.

Assisted dying is legal for terminally ill people in…

  • USA

    Assisted dying is legal in 10 states and one federal district in America. Oregon was the first state to allow assisted dying in 1997, and is now the blueprint for a safe and effective law.

  • Australia

    Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) is legal in every state in Australia. Victoria was the first state to allow assisted dying in 2017.

  • New Zealand

    Assisted dying is legal in New Zealand. The law was approved by a public referendum in 2020 and came into force in 2021.

Assisted dying is legal for people experiencing unbearable suffering in…

  • Europe

    9 countries in Europe have laws that allow people experiencing unbearable suffering to access assisted dying.

  • Canada

    Assisted dying became legal in Canada in 2016 with the Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) law, following a Supreme Court ruling.

  • Central and South America

    3 countries in Central and South America have ruled that people experiencing unbearable suffering can access assisted dying.

The law on assisted dying

There is no specific crime of assisting a suicide in Scotland. But it is possible that helping a person to die could lead to prosecution for murder, culpable homicide or reckless endangerment.

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