THE HOUSE OF LORDS has called for judicial oversight for all applications for assisted deaths as an amendment to the Assisted Dying Bill.

The debate took place on November 7 on an amendment to Lord Falconer’s bill which would open the way for assisted dying to be allowed for terminally ill patients with less than six months to live who are also mentally capable.

During the debate, Lord David Alton of Liverpool, who has campaigned against the bill, supported the amendment and expressed his fear that the ‘right to die’ might change to a ‘duty to die’. He also stated the call for ‘assisted dying’ was in fact, ‘assisted suicide’.

Lord Alton said: “I am personally disturbed by the idea that we place on people’s shoulders the idea that somehow they are a burden not just to their families but to the rest of us as well.”

“Simply to provide opportunities for people to take their own lives does not seem a wholesome or good way for this country to proceed,” he added.

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