Parliament will begin discussions on legislation allowing medically assisted dying when the Human Rights Committee reconvenes in September following the summer recess.
The Democratic Rally maintains its opposition to the bill proposed by AKEL MP Irene Charalambidou, with DIKO holding a similar stance. Party positions have remained unchanged since initial discussions.
Health Minister Michalis Damianos reiterated the government’s position during today’s committee session, emphasising the need to develop palliative care services first. “The bill providing for these services has been submitted to Parliament and discussion is expected to begin after the summer,” Damianos stated.
The Health Ministry expressed concerns about current service provision, noting that whilst palliative care services are available to cancer patients through the General Health System, “these services are not offered comprehensively and within the framework that the law will define, therefore it is rather premature to proceed with regulation for medically assisted dying.”
Committee Chairman Irene Charalambidou defended the proposal, arguing for “the right of every person to manage the way they will end their life” when facing terminal illness. She dismissed opposing arguments, stating that since the bill includes strict prerequisites and criteria applying only to cancer patients, and palliative care is already available to this group, “the arguments put forward cannot be accepted.”
Charalambidou highlighted European legislative trends, particularly referencing recent legislation passed in the United Kingdom. MP Alexandra Attalides expressed agreement with the chairman’s position.
The proposed legislation would apply exclusively to cancer patients and includes stringent conditions and criteria for implementation.
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