At least 32 people have taken up New Zealand’s euthanasia services since the country legalised the practice three months ago, according to the Ministry of Health. Sixty-five per cent of voting-age New Zealanders voted in favour of legalising assisted dying, joining just a handful of countries that allow it. They noted that in comparable overseas locations where assisted dying was legal, it made up between 0.3% and 2% of all deaths. According to the 2017 Regional Euthanasia Review Committees, there were 6,585 cases of voluntary euthanasia or assisted suicide that year. To be eligible for assisted dying services in New Zealand, patients must meet a series of strict criteria, assessed by two doctors.

Source: The Guardian February 09, 2022 01:52 UTC