Good afternoon friend,



Yes, you read that right. More than 150 million people around the world now have
access to assisted dying. Legalising assisted dying is fast becoming the
hallmark of a progressive, compassionate society - UK lawmakers are being left behind. The longer they fail to act, the longer the cruelty and injustice of the
current law continues to cause suffering to dying people across the country.



By contrast, 1 in 5 Americans, a third of Australians, all Canadians, and in a
year’s time all 4.8 million New Zealanders will have access to assisted dying in
their own countries. Following New Zealand’s resounding YES vote in their
October referendum I thought we should revisit some of these successes, how they
got there and how the laws have been working since they were passed.



USA



Oregon was the first US state to legalise assisted dying in the Death with
Dignity Act, in October, 1997. This is the style of law that we advocate for -
one that allows terminally ill, mentally competent adults to self-administer
medicine to end their own life at a time of their choosing.



The law has seen 0 instances of abuse. 1,657 dying people have ended their lives peacefully thanks to the legalisation of assisted dying.



8 more states have followed in its footsteps, including California, Colorado, the
District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, Vermont and Washington.



AUSTRALIA



The state of Victoria passed the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill in November 2017
and came into effect in June 2019. In December 2019, the state of Western
Australia followed suit, passing the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 24 votes to 11 which is expected to come into force next year.



100% of assisted deaths
[[link removed]] in Victoria have been compliant with the law. Around 120 people have been able
to have the choice they wanted - many more have taken comfort knowing the option
is there if they need it.


New Zealand



New Zealand
[[link removed]] recently became the latest country to legislate on assisted dying - uniquely
through the use of a legally binding public referendum. 65% of voters supported
the motion to pass the End of Life Choices Act, including the New Zealand Prime
Minister, Jacinda Ardern.



The law will come into force next November, enabling terminally ill, mentally
competent adults in their final months of life to request assistance from a
medical professional to end their life at a time and place of their choosing – a
model supported by 84% of the British public.



These laws were passed thanks to extensive campaigning, brave testimonies shared
by dying people and their families, and grassroots volunteers and supporters -
just like you.



Thank you for all you do to support the campaign . Looking at this progress shows how a dedicated group of passionate supporters
can make assisted dying a reality.



Together, we can change the law. Together, we will.



Keep fighting,





Sadie Kempner

Dignity in Dying



Our campaign is powered by our supporters - like you. We’re 100% funded by
individual donations, so we can keep fighting, together, to change the law on
assisted dying in the UK. Could you chip in today?

Donate £5 now
[[link removed]]

If you already donate to Dignity in Dying, thank you so much your generosity, it
is so appreciated.



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