Written question asked by Rosie Cooper (Labour) on Monday, 18 July 2016, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 21 July 2016 (named day). It was answered by Oliver Heald (Conservative) on Thursday, 21 July 2016 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

Euthanasia

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, if she will make an assessment of the implications for her policy of the Belgian court ruling that a nursing home did not have the right to refuse euthanasia on the grounds of conscientious objection.

Answer: In England and Wales, euthanasia constitutes murder at common law (unless a partial defence applies to reduce the offence to manslaughter); and under section 2(1) of the Suicide Act 1961 it is an offence to do an act capable of encouraging or assisting the suicide or attempted suicide of another person, with the intention so to encourage or assist. Because euthanasia is illegal, the issue of a right to refuse euthanasia does not arise.

Secondary information