ICELAND - Assisted dying: Slow but steady progress
Founded in 2017, the Icelandic Right to Die Society, Lífsvirðing, is dedicated to advancing respectful and open dialogue around assisted dying.
Our key objectives are as follows:
- Fostering Constructive Discussion: We facilitate open, comprehensive, and broad conversations on assisted dying, rooted in the belief that every individual should have autonomy over their body, life, and death.
- Advocating for Legislative Change: We are committed to supporting the development and adoption of legislation that permits assisted dying as a compassionate option. Under well-defined and stringent conditions, we believe individuals should have the right to make choices about the end of their lives.
- Providing Education and International Collaboration: We offer resources, host meetings, and organize seminars to deepen understanding of assisted dying. We also maintain strong partnerships with similar associations globally, such as the Nordic societies, with whom we meet annually to foster collaboration and shared learning.
Evolving Perspectives on Assisted Dying
Since 2017, we have made steady progress in fostering acceptance of assisted dying. In 2023, the Ministry of Health conducted a survey with physicians, nurses, licensed practical nurses, patient associations, and the general public. Public support for assisted dying legislation has consistently been strong, between 75% and 78% since 2015.
The 2023 survey revealed significant support within the healthcare sector: 56% of physicians, 86% of nurses, 81% of licensed practical nurses, and 84.4% of patient associations now favor assisted dying. This marks a substantial shift from 2010, when only 18% of physicians and 20% of nurses expressed support. The board of Lífsvirðing has urged the Icelandic Medical Association to reconsider their position, by declaring support for assisted dying or at least respecting the majority opinion among doctors, as reflected in the survey, and refrain from further opposition.
Opposition from the Medical Association and Palliative Care Professionals
Despite this progress, the Icelandic Medical Association remains firmly opposed to assisted dying. Their representatives have declined or not responded to requests to participate in discussions, speak at our seminars, or meet with us to address the various aspects of assisted dying. Following the publication of the survey results in 2023, they briefly spoke out, only to retreat once more in silence.
Opposition also comes from palliative care professionals, whose mission is to enhance quality of life by managing pain, alleviating symptoms, and providing emotional support without hastening death. Many feel that assisted dying conflicts with this mission. Some in palliative care also believe that, with adequate resources, their treatments can effectively address nearly all forms of suffering. However, evidence shows that many cases remain challenging to alleviate fully. Palliative care professionals see palliative care as an alternative to assisted dying and are concerned that legalizing assisted dying could shift focus away from advancing and improving palliative care services.
Draft bill - March 2024
In March 2024, Viðreisn, the Liberal Reform Party, introduced a draft bill on assisted dying, aiming to provide individuals with greater autonomy over their final days. The bill had two main purposes: first, to grant individuals with incurable illness and enduring untreatable and unbearable suffering access to assisted dying, and second, to authorize physicians, under specified conditions, to provide such assistance. The bill applied to individuals who had voluntarily and unequivocally expressed a clear desire to receive support in ending their lives.
Regrettably, the bill was not discussed in parliament, which is a common outcome for proposals introduced by individual parliament members.
Parliamentary resolution - September 2024
In September 2024, Bryndis Haraldsdóttir, a member of parliament for the Independence party, introduced a parliamentary proposal alongside six other members from diverse political parties, instructing the Minister of Health to prepare and submit legislation permitting assisted dying. Since 2017, Bryndís has been a dedicated advocate for assisted dying legislation, regularly voicing the importance of giving individuals end-of-life choices and working tirelessly to advance this issue within Iceland’s legislative framework. Her commitment has been instrumental in keeping assisted dying on the political agenda, and she has been a key figure in rallying support across party lines.
Regrettably, the government fell just a week after Bryndís submitted her proposal, leading to parliamentary elections scheduled for the end of November. Once a new government is formed, we hope to see a renewed proposal on this important issue.
Will Iceland be the First Nordic Country to Legalize Assisted Dying?
Iceland has historically led the way in shaping political landscapes in the Nordic region, from advancing gender equality and pioneering parental leave policies to recognizing the independence of the Baltic states. Now, the question is whether we have the courage to continue as a leading force and become the first country in the Nordic region to legalize assisted dying.
Author: Ingrid Kuhlman. The article was published in the DIGNITAS newsletter in November 2024.