In line with an electoral promise for a national discussion on assisted voluntary euthanasia for terminally ill persons, Parliamentary Secretary for Equality and Reforms Rebecca Buttigieg announced that a public consultation will officially launch.

The announcement was made during a press conference, where she launched a document for public consultation.

This establishes certain principles and safeguards as a basis for this discussion.

The government, Buttigieg explained, must listen to and consider everyone’s opinion during such a sensitive consultation, which must be held in context of persons experiencing unbearable suffering for which there is no cure.

The principles outlined in the consultation document stipulate, among other things, that voluntary assisted dying can only by requested by individuals over the age of 18 and who are suffering from a terminal illness which is medically certified to result in death within six months.

 

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‘The document makes it clear that old age, disability, or mental health conditions can never be valid grounds for requesting Assisted Voluntary Euthanasia.’

With a strict and rigorous review process being proposed, overseen by a regulatory board chaired by a former judge, the document includes several safeguards. The judge must grant final approval after a reflection period.

The individual may withdraw their request for assisted voluntary euthanasia.

These include a requirement for the medical team to inform patients with a terminal illness about palliative care services.

The request for assisted voluntary euthanasia can only be made autonomously by the individual suffering from the terminal condition, and the request must be supported by three medical certifications, including one from a psychiatrist.

Among the proposed safeguards is a provision making it a criminal offence to encourage or pressure someone into requesting assisted voluntary euthanasia.

Members of the medical profession also have the right not to participate in the process leading to VAE if the patient in their care so requests. They are however obliged to refer to a person who voluntary requests VAE to other professionals.

It is also being proposed to introduce the right to create an advance directive or living will. This would not grant a right to request assisted VAE unless eligibility criteria are met.

Through this will, a mentally competent individual, following consultation with a trusted medical professional, can formally declare what types of treatment they wish or do not wish to receive for certain future medical conditions.

The public consultation is open until July 2nd 2025, and the public is encouraged to participate and submit feedback online at www.facts.gov.mt or during three community meetings to be held in Fgura, Mosta and Gozo.

This is but the start of a discussion, and not a decision – after the consultation, a decision might be made on whether this is changed, implemented or scrapped completely.

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