Oregon, USA
In Oregon, it has been legal for terminally ill, mentally competent adults to have an assisted death since 1997.
International examples
400 million people around the world have legal access to some form of assisted dying. These laws ensure dying people do not have to suffer against their wishes.
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Washington, USA
Washington voted in favour of an assisted dying law based on Oregon in November 2008.
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California, USA
California’s law is based on the time tested model of Oregon. It allows assisted dying for mentally competent, terminally ill adults.
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Canada
Canada was the first Commonwealth country to legalise assisted dying and passed a law in June 2016.
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Switzerland
Since 1942, Switzerland has allowed assisted suicide as long as the motives are not selfish. All forms of euthanasia are against the law.
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Other (Benelux)
Some countries have laws that allow people who are not terminally ill to receive assistance to die.
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New Zealand
New Zealand’s law for terminally ill adults came into effect, following a public referendum, in November 2021.
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Australia
Every state in Australia has approved an assisted dying law. Beginning with the state of Victoria in November 2017.