Liam McArthur, MSP for Orkney, is planning to introduce a private members bill which would introduce assisted suicide in Scotland. However, recent developments in Canada have sparked concern about bringing in similar legislation in Scotland. Reports have emerged of marginalised Canadians seeking an ‘assisted death’ due to poverty, disability and homelessness. Is this a progressive route for Scotland?

The Netherlands Minister of Health, Ernst Kuipers, announced on June 27, 2022 that the government plans to approve a protocol to permit child euthanasia in October.

The Netherlands euthanasia law currently permits euthanasia for children as young as 12, when parents or guardians consent; the Groningen Protocol permits euthanasia for disabled newborns. People over the age of 16 are considered adults and can consent to euthanasia.